Settlement Services

Settlement Services for Newcomers & Immigrants

Settlement services for newcomers are the foundation of DIVERSEcity’s mission to “inspire belonging in a strong integrated community by empowering newcomers to Canada.” Our settlement workers (known as newcomer information and support workers) help new immigrants and refugees of all ages build the life they want in Canada through free multilingual support and information in Arabic, Punjabi, Korean, Mandarin, Swahili and English.

How we help newcomers settle into Canada

One-one Support

We will start the settlement process with a one-on-one meeting to understand your needs and hopes for your life in Canada.  Working with you, we will create a customized settlement plan to help you and your family achieve your settlement, housing and employment goals.

We will also:

• Provide information and orientation on topics related to life in Canada, including rights and responsibilities, community resources, government programs, health and wellbeing, and family matters.
• Help you learn to fill out government application forms such as citizenship applications and Canada Child Tax Benefit.
• Help you navigate local systems such as health care and public school, recreation services, language assessment services and more.
• Assist your application for income assistance, by supporting your meeting with Ministry of Social Development workers.
• Provide referrals to programs and services, within DIVERSEcity and in the community, including mental health, employment services, English languages services, children and youth services, and refugee and specialized services.
• Help you connect with your community and make new friends.

We can also connect you to apply for the Canada Learning Bond, free money from the federal government to put toward your child’s post-secondary education (learn more about the Canada Learning Bond here).

Please contact us at settlement@dcrs.ca or at 604-507-6060 to make an appointment or referral for services. We currently offer virtual services by phone and Zoom, as well as in person by appointment. No walk-ins please due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Group Workshops for Newcomers

We offer group workshops on a variety of topics from financial literacy to employment to parenting to housing to health. Often featuring guest speakers, these sessions are informative, fun and interactive. They are offered primarily online, in English with first-language support in Punjabi, Arabic, Korean, Chinese and Swahili.

All upcoming settlement group workshops are listed in the registration form below. Please fill out the form and a settlement worker will be in touch. Want more information before registering? All workshops are listed with more details on our website Events Calendar.