Healthy Communities • Immigrant Services
Ways the Y is helping Syrian refugees
15 December 2015 - by June Findlay
We’ve seen the pictures, videos and countless stories of people fleeing areas of conflict in recent months, especially from Syria. The country’s civil war is one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. There are now more than 4 million Syrian refugees living in neighbouring countries with nowhere to call home.
The Government of Canada has committed to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees over the next few months through a combination of government, private, and blended sponsorship routes. The YMCA of Greater Toronto already plays a vital role in welcoming and settling refugees from many countries arriving in the GTA. These services will be available to Syrian refugees:
We can also work with Syrian arrivals and their sponsors on a case-by-case basis to provide financial assistance to other supportive YMCA programs, offer free spaces to meet and organize, and by identifying supportive services offered by agencies we collaborate with.
At the YMCA of Greater Toronto we have been thinking through how we can help support Syrian arrivals as they work to set up new roots in new communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.
Along with the support of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade, Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and our important relationships with many community organizations, the YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to supporting the arrival and long-term success of Syrian Refugees in our communities.
We hope to be a big part of the settlement journey; we are here to provide support not only for the first few weeks and months after arrival, but for the duration of the settlement process and beyond for these new Canadians. We hope to be part of their Canadian story and a lifelong resource.
Identifying and supporting their complex needs is a task that will require the time, resources, and commitment of our whole community.
#Welcome To Canada. Welcome home.
We are so glad you will be part of our community.
The Government of Canada has committed to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees over the next few months through a combination of government, private, and blended sponsorship routes. The YMCA of Greater Toronto already plays a vital role in welcoming and settling refugees from many countries arriving in the GTA. These services will be available to Syrian refugees:
YMCA Newcomer Information Centres
Our Newcomer Information Centres, often the first stop for many newcomers in the city, are the place where our staff point newcomers in the right direction to many services offered by the Y and other organizations in the GTA – according to their needs. One of our most popular services in this capacity are language assessments which establish language training needs in English or French skills via our Language Assessment and Referral Centres. Since January of this year, we have received more than 44,500 calls to the centres.
YMCA Newcomer Youth Leadership Development
For young newcomer youth, we offer services through our Newcomer Youth Leadership Development program (NYLD), which helps them realize their potential and develop strong social bonds while participating in fun and enriching social and leadership activities with their peers, all while learning and becoming a part of Canadian society.
YMCA Employment Centres
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Many newcomers are eager to find a way to provide for their families with a new job, or by continuing their previous career. Staff at our Employment Centres are always ready to help people reach their career goals with a wide range of programs and services, including workshops specially designed for those new to the Canadian workplace. As Permanent Canadian Residents, all Syrian arrivals will be eligible for our Employment programs.
We can also work with Syrian arrivals and their sponsors on a case-by-case basis to provide financial assistance to other supportive YMCA programs, offer free spaces to meet and organize, and by identifying supportive services offered by agencies we collaborate with.
At the YMCA of Greater Toronto we have been thinking through how we can help support Syrian arrivals as they work to set up new roots in new communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.
Along with the support of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade, Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and our important relationships with many community organizations, the YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to supporting the arrival and long-term success of Syrian Refugees in our communities.
We hope to be a big part of the settlement journey; we are here to provide support not only for the first few weeks and months after arrival, but for the duration of the settlement process and beyond for these new Canadians. We hope to be part of their Canadian story and a lifelong resource.
Identifying and supporting their complex needs is a task that will require the time, resources, and commitment of our whole community.
#Welcome To Canada. Welcome home.
We are so glad you will be part of our community.
