WORKING WITH NEWCOMERS!

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is an incorporated charitable organization that has served the diverse needs of the community for over 150 years. In 1853, the YMCA was conceived as a social integrator – initially cutting across class divisions, later gender lines and religious boundaries. As societal norms have changed, the Association has changed. It owes its longevity and continued relevance to the timelessness of its mission and its capacity to reflect upon its core values within an ever-changing social context. The Association fulfills its vision – “to be a leader in enhancing civil society, where people are respectful and supportive of one another, within Canada’s most diverse community” – by forging relationships with individuals and communities in the Greater Toronto Area built on trust, mutual respect, and shared accountability.

The YMCA is very active internationally as a non-government organization with partnerships and programs in many different countries throughout the world. Many newcomer clients coming to Canada are aware of our community expertise in being an active leader in helping individuals and communities grow stronger. We believe in working together with our clients, volunteers and community partners to create strong individuals, families and communities.

The YMCA serves one of the largest and complex urban environments in Canada and is one of the largest YMCAs in North America and the world. The Greater Toronto Area is home to thousands of new immigrants and refugees, with 44% of Toronto’s population born outside of Canada. The YMCA recognizes this growing diversity and is a leader in assisting newcomers to make the smooth transition of settling in their new home. Furthermore, our current strategic plan includes a diversity and inclusion initiative that focuses on strengthening our appreciation of our diverse community.

YMCA newcomer Services

The Newcomer Services Unit has over 25 years experience working with a range of newcomers. Programs include:

 LINC Assessment Centre
 Newcomer Information Centre (NIC)
 Korean Settlement Services

The YMCA Newcomer Service’ primary location is at 42 Charles Street East, where both the LINC Assessment and Newcomer Information Centre reside on the 3rd floor for convenient one-stop service. Our Charles Street site is centrally located within 1 block of the two subway lines in Toronto. Our building is fully accessible to physically challenged people. We are in close proximity and have excellent relations with other community and human services/organizations. The Centre operates extended working hours with evenings and Saturdays and has a child friendly play area for parents with children.

The YMCA Newcomer Services has over 10 years experience working directly with GARs.
 From May 2003 to June 2004 over 15% of clients served in Newcomer Services were refugees. Specifically, 11% of these Government Assisted Refugees were from the current source countries identified.
 The top ten countries served for the same period included Afghanistan (3%) and Iran (6%) both identified as main source countries for current GARs.
 COSTI RAP participants from the Toronto reception centres also schedule monthly tours and information sessions at the NIC Centre

Newcomer Services staff members speak approximately 34 languages including Farsi, Arabic, Pushto, Tamil, Amharic, Tigrinya and other languages in addition to English and French. Through its Volunteer Program, Newcomer Services actively recruits and maintains volunteers from GAR source countries and therefore has additional resources and access to substantial linguistic and cultural expertise. The NIC Centre houses an array of multicultural resources and has delivered tours and information sessions in languages other than English. Newcomer Services also has access to interpreters through its established partnership with Access Alliance Multicultural Community Health Centre.

Because of the scope of programs and infrastructure of the YMCA of Greater Toronto, beyond the expected range of referrals to services we provide our newcomer clients, we are able to connect them internally to services that may include child care, summer camp, health/fitness and recreation programs. In the past year we have been able to implement a program for newcomers to receive a free pass to the health, fitness and recreation campus (7 of these across the GTA) in order to take advantage of programs.

Over 40,000 newcomers participated in YMCA employment and community programs in 2005 with referrals from over 1000 agencies across the GTA. YMCA Newcomer Information services work with more than 50% of the Newcomers to the GTA. It is also estimated that over 40 other agencies get some form of government funding for similar supports.

The YMCA does see a growing trend in GLBT people looking for supports (In particular from Latin American countries) and subsequently recognize the gaps in service to this community. The YMCA Newcomer Information Centre have a staff group of 14 who speak more than 37 different languages as needed while providing settlement information and referral to clients.
Link: The YMCA of Greater Toronto

Learn about YMCA Newcomer Services