Resource Sections

Adult Education

Afghan Community Resources

Child and Youth Resources

Employment Services

English and French Language Support

Explore Your City

Financial Support 

Food and Clothing

Health and Mental Health Resources

Housing Support

Legal Support

New Parent Resources

Seniors Services

Technology Resources

Translation

Adult Education

• Building Up – Free Pre-Apprenticeship Program 

This pre-apprenticeship program is a 16-week paid training program for youth aged 18-29, using construction contracts and in-class training to prepare individuals facing barriers to employment for successful careers in the trades.

• George Brown College – Tuition Free College Programs

For adults seeking to start their new careers, to enter the construction or culinary sectors or to receive preparatory college courses, George Brown College has multiple courses that are completely tuition-free; registration is ongoing.

• Humber College Youth Transition Program – Free College Preparation Program

Humber College offers a FREE transition program for youth between the ages of 19 and 29 who would like to make a successful transition to college, whether they have completed high school or not.

• Mooen Centre – Services for People Living with Disabilities 

This Scarborough-based organization for intellectually delayed and physically challenged youth, adults and seniors provides programs in math, science, computer skills, money handling, physical education, arts, music, health, and more.

• Sanctuary Scholars – Domestic Student Rates and Free Bridging Courses for Refugees

Through Sanctuary Scholars, students in Toronto with precarious immigration status (ie. refugee claimants) can access undergraduate degrees at domestic tuition fee rates instead of international tuition rates in nearly all departments and programs at York University and Toronto Metropolitan University. In addition, York University is offering a free academic bridging course for students with precarious immigration status who want to try a special university class designed to enhance their academic reading, writing and speaking skills.

• Syrian Canadian Foundation – Newcomer Entrepreneur Women (N.E.W) Venture

N.E.W Venture is a 6-month intensive program that offers participants the opportunity to develop their business idea into a viable business through weekly training sessions, 1:1 mentorship, support with access to funding and ongoing networking and in-person events.

Afghan Community Resources

• Afghan Women’s Organization – Free Supports for all Ages

Farsi-speaking newcomers in the Greater Toronto Area can get free assistance with filling forms, finding housing, supportive counselling, and join free English conversation classes, youth tutoring programs for Scarborough-based youth and more.

• Catholic Centre for Immigrants Ottawa – Free Afghan Women’s English Conversation Circles 

In Ottawa, Farsi-speaking women can join the free 1-hour English conversation circles that are offered at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.

• National Newcomer Navigation Network – N4 Afghan Resettlement Toolkit

Compiled to show the national spectrum of healthcare, settlement, education and public-serving sectors that are available to Afghan newcomers, this toolkit provides many helpful resources.

• WoodGreen – Afghan Settlement Hotline

For Afghan newcomers who speak Dari, Farsi, or Pashto, this hotline will connect them to a settlement worker who can help them find settlement services in Toronto. The Hotline Number is 416-405-5300.

Back to Resources Menu

Child and Youth Resources

• Early ON Child and Family Centres 

Free programs to Ontario-based parents/caregivers and their children from birth to six years of age to strengthen adult-child relationships, support parent education, and foster healthy child development.

• IRCOM – Free Newcomer Youth Programs in Winnipeg

Based in Winnipeg, the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba Inc. (IRCOM) has a number of free youth programs, offering tutoring, sports, arts, employment help, leadership development,  mentorship, and more. These programs help newcomer youth integrate into Canadian schools and society while building confidence and community.

• Rise Helps – Accelerated Youth Small Business Program 

One-on-one training, group mentorship sessions, the opportunity to develop and pitch a business plan, and a $500 start-up grant upon program completion— all for youth aged 16-29 with mental health and/or addiction challenges who wish to be entrepreneurs.

• Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) – Free Settlement Services Across Canada

Many Canadian schools and libraries have settlement workers who specialize in connecting newcomer students and families with local community services, and they often speak the predominant languages of newcomers in the area.

• Working Women Community Centre – Free Academic Programs

With On Your Mark’s free tutoring for Spanish & Portuguese-speaking children in Grades 1-12, HIPPY (free education resources and support for newcomer parents/guardians of children entering kindergarten), and aid for newcomer parents to navigate the school system, Toronto’s Working Women Community Centre provides a range of programming focused on children’s educational attainment and parent/guardian engagement.

• YMCA – Free Newcomer Youth Leadership Development Program

For newcomer youth in the  Greater Toronto Area between 13-24 years old, the YMCA offers a free program for leadership opportunities, public speaking training, games, homework help, field trips, and more.

• Youth Job Connection – Free Paid Employment Training for Youth

In Ontario, the Youth Job Connection program serves youth aged 15 to 29 by providing them with paid pre-employment training to promote job-readiness; free job matching and paid job placements, with placement supports for participants and hiring incentives for employers, mentorship services, education supports, and more.

Back to Resources Menu

Employment Services

• ACCES Employment – Free Refugee-Focused Employment Programs

ACCES Employment has many free programs specifically for refugee newcomers, which are designed to help them build professional networks, find mentors, learn about the labour market in Canada, access real opportunities with employers, and improve their job search skills.

• Achev – Free Career-Specific Employment Webinars

With free workshops geared towards careers in FinTech, retail, healthcare, and more, Achev has a wide range of virtual offerings for newcomers seeking employment in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, and North York.

• Catholic Centre for Immigrants Ottawa – Workshops for Adults

In Ottawa, CCI has a wide spectrum of employment-related workshops for newcomers that range from starting transitional jobs to reaccreditation for foreign-trained professionals. All programs are free.

• COSTI – Free Employment Resources

COSTI Employment Services provides numerous free career assessments, programs for internationally-trained newcomers, and employment programs for youth in Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto, and Vaughan.

• ISSofBC – Free Career Help for Newcomers

Based in Vancouver, the Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants is a free program offered by ISSofBC for newcomers. Whether you’re in construction, engineering, technology, or have a regulated or unregulated profession in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, or Cariboo North, ISSofBC is dedicated to making your transition to a Canadian career as easy as possible.

• Jumpstart Refugee Talent – Free Employment Mentorship for Refugees

As a refugee-led, Toronto-based organization that focuses on refugees seeking to restart their careers, Jumpstart Refugee Talent has many free, refugee-specific programs for mentorship, entrepreneurship, and more.

• MAGMA – Free Employment Help and Paid Internships for Newcomers

Based in Moncton, New Brunswick, the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area (MAGMA) has Skills Launch for adults— a free pre-employability program supporting newcomers age 30+ with in-class Workplace Essential Skills (WES) training and English language support (EAL) support followed by a paid internship. 

• Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto – Free Employment Webinars for Women

With regular free employment workshops in resume-building, interview preparations, personal finance, and LinkedIn, Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto has a spectrum of supports.

• Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services – Women in Food and Customer Service

Women can learn about job market trends in the customer service and food service sectors, with training on cash register skills, food handling certifications, and more.

• WES – Credential Evaluation for Refugees

WES evaluates academic credentials from institutions around the world, and through the WES Gateway program, refugees and displaced persons with limited proof of academic achievements may be eligible for an alternative credential assessment.

English and French Language Support

• English Language Tutoring for the Ottawa Community – Free At-Home LINC Help

In Ottawa, English Language Tutoring for the Ottawa Community (ELTOC) provides individual and accessible home-based LINC tutoring to newcomers who cannot attend regular ESL classes due to caregiving, work, school, special needs, and more.

• Enhanced Language Training – Job-Specific English Classes

Service providers all over Canada provide job-specific language training for newcomers seeking to continue their careers in sectors like accounting, finance, teaching, health care, IT, office administration, customer service, and more.

• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) – Free English Classes

Throughout Canada, English courses are provided for free; participants must enrol by having an assessment to determine which language level is right for them.

• Mennonite New Life Centre – Free English Classes for Trauma Survivors

For vulnerable newcomers experiencing multiple barriers such as emotional trauma, mental health issues, or low literacy, Toronto-based Mennonite New Life Centre provides free English classes 1 hour a day, 3 days a week, called Language Instruction Giving Hope to Trauma Survivors (LIGHTS).

• TDSB Community Services – Free Reading, Writing, and Numeracy Classes for Adults

The TDSB Essential Skills Upgrading (ESU) program provides free adult classes in Toronto to help learners improve their English literacy, mathematics, and computer skills with non-credit classes offered both in-person and remotely in Etobicoke, downtown Toronto, Rexdale, North York and Scarborough.

• Toronto Public Libraries – English Conversation Circles 

Toronto’s libraries provide free access to ESL E-books, Mango Languages, the Road to IELTS, and more. And for those seeking in-person help, all across Toronto, libraries have free programs for newcomers to practice their English; check out the list of libraries with English Conversation Circles here.

Back to Resources Menu

Explore Your City

• Canoo – Free Attractions App for Newcomers

Created by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, this app gives newcomers aged 18 and up who have become permanent residents in the last 5 years access to free and discounted entry to 1400+ galleries, museums, science centres, historic sites, family activities across Canada.

• CultureLink – Free Bike Host Mentorship Program

Toronto’s CultureLink Bike Host program matches up newcomers who are open to cycling with mentors to practice communication skills while exploring Toronto by bike.

• OC Transpo – Reduced Transit Fares

Low-income families in Ottawa may be eligible for a discounted Equipass, with discounted rates and free service days for riders including children, youth, and seniors.

• Parkbus – Free/Discounted Trips to Canada’s Parks

In Toronto and Vancouver, Parkbus connects people to nature through accessible transportation with bus services to national and provincial parks, group hikes, and NatureLink, a newcomer-specific program.

• Toronto Public Library – Free Access to Toronto’s Cultural Experiences and Attractions

In Toronto, library card holders can access the tpl:map pass for free tickets to dance, music, film, and theatre performances.

• Toronto Transit Commission – Transit Discount Program

Through the Fair Pass Transit Discount Program, low-income Toronto residents aged 20-64 may be eligible for a discount on adult single ride fares and adult monthly passes.

Back to Resources Menu

Financial Support

• Government of Canada – Benefits Finder

This free questionnaire allows people to find out which benefits they may be eligible for from federal, provincial or territorial governments.

• Government of Canada – Canada Child Benefit

Administered by the Canada Revenue Agency, the Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible parents and guardians to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age.

• Government of Ontario – Emergency Financial Assistance 

For Ontario residents facing crises like leaving an abusive household or being evicted, short-term financial support for essentials like food and housing may be available.

• Government of Canada – Free Income Tax Clinics

Many Canadian community organizations are hosting free tax clinics, with taxes completed by videoconference, phone, or through a drop-off clinic.

• Prosper Canada – Free Benefits Finding Tool

Prosper Canada has created a free questionnaire for households to find out which Canadian benefits they are eligible for, and shows users where their closest income tax clinics are located.

• Windmill Microlending – Affordable Loans for Newcomers

As a national charity, Windmill Microlending, in partnership with the Canadian government and banks, offers affordable loans of up to $15,000 to help foreign-trained immigrants and refugees pay for the costs of Canadian accreditation, training and career development.

Back to Resources Menu

Food And Clothing

• Agincourt Community Service – Toronto Food Assets Map

Created by the Food Security Team at Agincourt Community Service, this map has up-to-date information on food banks, free and low cost meals, delivery services, and supermarkets in Toronto.

• Champlain Health Line – List of Ottawa Food Banks and Community Food Programs

All of the food banks and low-cost food initiatives located in Ottawa and the surrounding region, including food banks, community gardens, Good Food Boxes, youth nutrition programs, nutrition education programs, and more.

• Daily Bread Food Bank – Food Bank and Food Bank Referrals

The Daily Bread Food Bank can make referrals to food banks throughout East York, and also Etobicoke, downtown Toronto, and Scarborough.

• Mississsauga Food Bank – Food Bank Referrals for Mississauga Residents 

With multiple food banks available, the Mississauga Food Bank has an online food bank locator to help Mississauga clients find the food bank that is closest to them.

• New Circles – Free Clothing in Toronto

GLOW (Gently Loved Outfits to Wear) is Toronto’s largest free clothing program, offering clean, contemporary clothing in a retail-style setting, by appointment only.

• North York Harvest Food Bank – Food Bank, Community Programs, and Food Bank Referrals

With a number of food banks under their jurisdiction, North York Harvest provides referrals to help clients in North York to find the food bank that is most convenient for them.

• The Snowsuit Fund – Low-Cost Winter Outerwear for Children 

This Ottawa-based charity raises funds for the purchase and distribution of new, quality made snowsuits to needy children aged 15 and under.

• Too Good to Go – Low-Cost Groceries and Meals

This free, Canada-wide app partners with cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, hotel kitchens, and more to combat food waste by offering bags of food at low cost.

Back to Resources Menu

Health and Mental Health Resources

• Crossroads Clinic at Women’s College Hospital – Free Clinic for Refugees

At Toronto’s Women’s College Hospital, this clinic serves newly-arrived refugees who are living in shelters and have Interim Federal Health Program coverage and have concerns like chronic diseases, primary care for children, immunizations, pregnancy care, family planning advice, health exams, sleep disorders, anxiety, and more.

• Health Care Connect – Free Service to Find a Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner  

Launched by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Health Care Connect helps Ontario residents find a family healthcare provider in their community.

• Health Network for Uninsured Clients – Free Healthcare in Toronto 

This network supports people in the Greater Toronto Area find  healthcare services, regardless of insurance or immigration status, such as free eyeglasses, sexual health clinics, low-cost and free dental services, emergency healthcare, and more.

• Healthy Smiles Ontario – Free Dental Care for Children 17 and Below

Administered by the Ministry of Health, Healthy Smiles Ontario offers free dental care including free teeth cleaning and check-ups for children 17 years and younger for Ontario residents from lower-income households.

• Ottawa Newcomer Clinic- Free Counselling for Refugees

With its location inside the Catholic Centre for Immigrants, refugee newcomers in Ottawa can access counselling, psychiatric assessments, psychotherapy, and more with legal, settlement, counselling and social services.

• TeleHealth Ontario – Free Medical Advice Hotline

Free, confidential health information delivered over the phone by registered nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and in over 300 languages.

• The Access Point – Central Portal for Free Mental Health Services

For Toronto residents 14 years of age and older, The Access Point can help individuals access a range of free mental health programs delivered by over 50 agencies across the city.

• Walk-in Dental Clinic – Free Dental Care for Refugees in the GTA

This North York clinic offers free dental services for refugees in Toronto and surrounding areas with free emergency dental care, root canal therapy, oral surgery, and more.

Back to Resources Menu

Housing Support

• Action Housing – Free Housing Assistance in Ottawa

Through Ottawa’s Action Housing/Housing Help, newcomers in the Ottawa area can get assistance for finding housing in their ward.

• City of Toronto’s Central Intake – Emergency Shelter Hotline in Toronto

For emergency shelter referrals, the City of Toronto’s Central Intake line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 311, which offers referrals to emergency shelter and other overnight accommodation, and information about homelessness services.

• Furniture Bank – Free Furniture

Toronto’s Furniture Bank supports newcomers, refugees, women and children leaving shelters, and people transitioning from homelessness after they have received a referral from one of Furniture Bank’s agency and shelter partners.

• Neighbourhood Information Post – Free Assistance to Prevent Homelessness in Toronto

With Canada’s first Rent Bank program, various energy assistance programs for low-income households, and their Housing Trusteeship Program for individuals to manage their rent and bills, Neighbourhood Information Post (NIP) has a spectrum of programs that are geared towards homelessness prevention.

• Refugee Housing Canada – Housing in Toronto and Vancouver for Refugees

Refugee Housing Canada connects refugees with homeowners in Toronto and Vancouver who have spare rooms in their homes and are committed to helping those in need.

• Sakeenah Homes – Muslim Women’s Shelter

For Muslim women experiencing homelessness due to immigration issues, abuse, and poverty, Sakeenah Homes has safe homes and caseworkers to provide counselling services and find secure housing in Toronto, Brampton, Ottawa, London and Montreal.

• Society of Saint Vincent de Paul – Women’s Shelters in Toronto

A list of housing and support resources to women in crisis that involves a network of emergency beds and longer-term housing, including Amelie House, Elisa House, and Mary’s Home.

Back to Resources Menu

Legal Support

• Capital Rainbow Refuge – Free Toolkit for Queer Refugee Hearings

Ottawa’s Capital Rainbow Refuge has the Queer Refugee Hearings Program Toolkit, which can help claimants prepare their claims based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and/or sex characteristics.

• Justice for Children and Youth – Free Youth Legal Help

Free legal services for 1) children aged 18 and under, and 2) homeless youth under 25 in Ontario.

• Legal Aid – Free Legal Assistance for Eligible Refugee Claimants

For eligible refugee claimants, Legal Aid may pay for a lawyer to prepare their Basis of Claim paperwork, represent them at the hearing, and more.

• My Refugee Claim – Free Resource Guide for Refugee Claimants

Created by immigration advocates, frontline workers, and Kinbrace, this free website has valuable, clear, up-to-date information about Canada’s refugee protection process available in different languages.

• Ready for my Refugee Hearing – Free Preparation Guides for Refugee Claimants

With valuable information to prepare claimants in multiple languages, this free resource educates, guides, and supports refugee claimants who are preparing for their hearings, along with a virtual “READY” tour to help with hearing preparations.

• The 519 Church Street Community Centre – Free Legal Clinics & Mock Hearings

With free legal clinics and free hearing preparation programs for 2SLGBTQ+ refugee claimants, this community centre has a long history of serving vulnerable populations.

Back to Resources Menu

New Parent Resources

Seniors Services

• A Friendly Voice – Free Phone Calls for Seniors

A Friendly Voice is a free, confidential phone call program for Ontarians aged 55+ who want to chat with a friendly person to give a chance for connection and conversation.

• Cyber Seniors – Free Tech Training for Seniors

Cyber Seniors provides senior citizens across North America with free, online tech training using an intergenerational volunteer model.

• Distress Centres of Toronto – Free Phone Calls for Seniors

TeleCheck Seniors Program is available for seniors aged 55+ who need regular calls to provide safety check-ins, medication reminders, or social calls.

• Good Neighbour Project – Free Deliveries of Food and Essentials

Across the Greater Toronto Area, London, and Ottawa, volunteers deliver food supplies and groceries to seniors, expecting parents, single parents, and those with disabilities, compromised immune systems, accessibility barriers, and more.

• Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program – Free Dental Services for Seniors 

This is a government-funded dental care program that provides free, routine dental services for low-income seniors in Ontario who are 65 years of age or older.

• Woodgreen Community Services – Free Crisis Outreach for Seniors

COSS (Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors) is a mobile crisis response team consisting of social workers, nurse practitioners and behaviour consultants, and a geriatric psychiatrist. Seniors can access free assistance or they can be referred.

Back to Resources Menu

Technology Resources

• COSTI – Free Applied Digital and Media Literacy Training

COSTI has free ongoing sessions to teach newcomers in Toronto how to use Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides to create and collaborate in Canadian workplaces.

• Free Geek Toronto – Refurbished Electronics and Computers

Old electronics and computers are refurbished and sold at a discount to increase access to affordable technology across Toronto.

• Labour Education Centre – Free Online Computer Classes

Every week, Toronto’s Labour Education Centre offers free computer classes for Ontario-based participants to learn how to use email and MS Word, how to fill out forms, and how to be safe online. For those in need of a computer or tablet, contact the Labour Education Centre.

• Reboot Canada – Refurbished Computers

Computer equipment, training and technical support for charities, non-profits and households in Toronto and Peel Region with limited access to technology.

• Renewed Computer Technology – Affordable Computers and Software

Through their Outreach programs in Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa, and St. Catherines, Renewed Computer Technology provides affordable renewed computers, software and learning modules; applicants can apply for 2 computers per household per year.

• Toronto Public Library – Borrow a Laptop

At select branches including Fort York, North York Central, St. Lawrence, Mount Dennis, Scarborough Civic Centre, and Jane/Sheppard, Toronto residents can sign up for a library card and borrow a laptop for free for in-branch use, and Toronto residents can also borrow a wifi hotspot.

Back to Resources Menu

Translation

• 211 Ontario – Free Translation and Interpretation Database

This resource is a free database which will show newcomers how to access translation services for written documents or oral interpretation services in Ontario.

• Google Translate – Free Text Translation

Did you know that with the free Google Translate phone app, you can take a picture of any text that you’d like to translate? Try it out!

• My Refugee Claim – Free Refugee Claim Interpretation

Use My Refugee Claim, a free website, to learn about how to work with an interpreter during a refugee claim hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Back to Resources Menu