Orientation Services (London, Sarnia & Windsor)

What are Orientation Services?
Orientation services provide information to newcomers (Permanent Residents and Convention Refugees) on government programs and services, community and social services, education, immigration, housing, employment, and community connections. These services assist newcomers to settle and adjust to a new life in Canada. Orientation Services are funded by the federal government through the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Our services include: 

Needs Assessments
Personalized, self-directed assessments conducted to assist newcomers and identify their needs, barriers, and strengths.

Settlement Plans & Goals
Based on a newcomer’s initial needs assessment, personalized settlement plans are created with short-term and long-term goals. 

One-on-One Supports
One-on-one supports are available to all newcomers through our Newcomer Settlement Advisors who can help guide, inform, and equip individuals and families with the information, assistance, and resources they need to settle into their new life in Canada. 

Information Sessions
Information sessions are 1-2 hours in length and provide important information on a wide variety of specific topics including:

  • Overview of Canada
  • Sources of Information 
  • Rights and Freedoms 
  • Canadian Law & Justice 
  • Important Documents
  • Improving English or French 
  • Employment & Income
  • Education 
  • Housing 
  • Health
  • Money & Finance
  • Transportation
  • Community and Media
  • Community Connections
  • Becoming a Canadian Citizen

*Where possible, information sessions are delivered in a client group’s first language.

Translation and Notarization of Documents (Windsor)
We provide translation and notarization services of important documents (passports, educational transcripts, driver’s licenses, etc.) when deemed an immediate settlement need. Translations and notarization are support services for existing clients who have completed an initial needs assessment as part of their settlement plan. Translations are completed from a client’s native language to English.

Interpretation
Orientation services are offered in a client’s first language where available. 

London: Arabic 
Sarnia: Arabic, Spanish
Windsor: Amharic, Assyrian, Arabic, Burmese, Chaldean, Cantonese, Dinka, English, Farsi, Dari, French, Mandarin, Nuer, Pashto, Romanian, Russian, Shaluk, Somali, Spanish, Sudanese, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Turkish


LOCATIONS

London
YMCA Wortley Learning Centre
165 Elmwood Ave. East, London ON
Phone: 519-645-7553 ext.1
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9am to 5pm

YMCA North London Learning Centre
207-735 Wonderland Rd. North, London ON
Phone: 519-645-7553 ext.1
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9am to 5pm

Sarnia
YMCA Learning and Career Centre 
660 Oakdale Ave., Sarnia ON
Phone: 519-328-4792
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm
Tuesday, Thursday 8:30 am to 7pm

Windsor 
YMCA Windsor Learning Centre 
500 Victoria Ave, Windsor ON 
Phone: 519 258 9622
Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm
Friday 1:00pm – 5pm

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