Community Connections for Newcomers to Canada

Community Connections for Newcomers to Canada

Our Mission

Our Vision

Banquet Facilities

Event Calendar

St. Catharines

Niagara Falls

Grimsby

St. Catharines

Niagara Falls

Grimsby

Community Connections for Newcomers to Canada

Connecting newcomers with local volunteers.

Newcomer participants develop their understanding of Canadian society, practice their language skills, network for employment and get support in their overall settlement process. Volunteers become active members of more welcoming communities.

Also, the Community Connections services organizes events and group activities such as, conversation circles, recreational activities, social events, cooking and craft sessions, day trips, multicultural festivities and special holiday celebrations.

Sample of Program Offerings:

Individual / Group matches: newcomers to Canada are introduced to local volunteers for cultural and/or career mentoring, supporting language learning, share knowledge and experiences. This service aims to help newcomers to Canada connect in their community and assist them through their settlement process.
English Conversation Circles (ECC): Community Connections’ volunteers and local community partners facilitate informal discussion groups at various locations across Niagara. All levels of language are welcome to participate in these groups to practice English, get informed on local events and make new connections in the community.

Click here to get an Schedule of Conversation Groups

Volunteer Search Assistance for Newcomers: Get one-on-one assistance on your volunteer search. Discuss local opportunities and make contacts that can help you find a placement that suits your career and interests. Call your local Community Connections Coordinator for an appointment.
Cooking Club: Share recipes, cook and eat with a group of newcomers. Currently running at the Drummond Hill Presbyterian Church on the second Monday of each month. (6136 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls, ON). Registration Required.
Group Activities: A variety of opportunities to participate, including: cooking, crafts, dance, gardening and more, there is always something different to learn every month!
50+ Support group and various program activities (e.g. computers, yoga, volunteering, etc.). Ongoing. Call for a detailed schedule of activities (905) 685-6589 ext. 228
And much more! If you have an idea or a talent that you would like to share with your community, contact us to explore together the possibility of a partnership!

How to get involved?

Newcomers to Canada:
The Community Connections program will introduce you to a Canadian volunteer, or to a support group, that will welcome and help you learn about your new life in Canada.  
Click here for newcomer application form.

Volunteers: You will have an opportunity to show new Canadians what old Canadians are made of! Volunteers will have the opportunity to welcome and assist a newcomer in their settling process, gain a better understanding of Canada’s evolving multicultural make-up and learn about other countries, cultures and languages. To become a Community Connections volunteer, you should be: Canadian citizen or permanent resident, knowledgeable about your community and able to volunteer for about 1 hour per week with an individual or a group of newcomers.

The Community Connections program staff will provide information, training and support at all times.

Other Volunteer opportunities within the Community Connection Program are: conversation circle facilitator, group activity assistant, club organizer, special skill or talent trainer, etc. We are always looking for new ideas and suggestions to create spaces where newcomers and local community residents can interact! 
Click her for volunteer application form.

For more information or to register for upcoming activities please contact:

St. Catharines:
Josefina Pérez
(905) 685-6589 ext. 228
jperez@folk-arts.ca

Niagara Falls & Grimsby area: 
Norith Salinas 
(289) 241 6289 (cell)
(905) 358-3452 ext. 241 
nsalinas@folk-arts.ca

23 Events on February 23, 2012 Improve your Life through Healthy Realtionnships- Settlement Starts: 8:00 am Ends: February 23, 2012 - 1:00 pm Location: Upper Annex Description: Please join us for an interactive workshop and learn about: Achieving balance in your relationships Communicating effectively with family and friends Coping with the impact of immigration on your relationship Set up to follow : Jasmine Pujante, Settlement Office tel: 9056856589 Ext 240 To register: please email rkarborani@folk-arts.ca or call 9056856589 X225 or you can register directly into shared drive/settlement/workshops/Participants list/list of registration improve your life through Healthy relationships More details... Job Search Workshop Starts: 9:00 am Ends: February 23, 2012 - 12:00 pm Location: Niagara Falls- 5853 Peer Street Description: Job Search Programs (JSW) Develop the tools that will help you succeed in the Canadian job market! The JSW Program is an employment assessment program – working with you to figure out your needs, next steps, and future plans. The JSW Program offers you: ■ A thorough needs assessment by a trained Employment Assessor ■ A personalized action plan detailing next steps in your job search ■ 1-on-1 job search coaching ■ Pre-employment workshops conducted in a computerized environment ■ Specialists who understand the job search needs of newcomers ■ An environment to learn about job search strategies and Canadian business perspectives Who can participate? ■ Newcomers to Canada who are ready and able to job search and who have a good command of the English language (LINC level 4+) ■ Permanent residents – landed immigrants, convention refugees or live-in caregivers Please call or visit us for your employment assessment: ■(905) 358-3452 ext. 3 in Niagara Falls. More details... Chop Chop - Community Connections Starts: 11:00 am Ends: February 23, 2012 - 2:30 pm Location: Kitchen - Annex Building Description: For More Information please contact: Josefina Pérez Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre Community Connections Coordinator jperez@folk-arts.ca 905-685 6589 Ext. 228 More details...

24 Events on February 24, 2012 Job Search Workshop Starts: 9:00 am Ends: February 24, 2012 - 12:00 pm Location: Niagara Falls- 5853 Peer Street Description: Job Search Programs (JSW) Develop the tools that will help you succeed in the Canadian job market! The JSW Program is an employment assessment program – working with you to figure out your needs, next steps, and future plans. The JSW Program offers you: ■ A thorough needs assessment by a trained Employment Assessor ■ A personalized action plan detailing next steps in your job search ■ 1-on-1 job search coaching ■ Pre-employment workshops conducted in a computerized environment ■ Specialists who understand the job search needs of newcomers ■ An environment to learn about job search strategies and Canadian business perspectives Who can participate? ■ Newcomers to Canada who are ready and able to job search and who have a good command of the English language (LINC level 4+) ■ Permanent residents – landed immigrants, convention refugees or live-in caregivers Please call or visit us for your employment assessment: ■(905) 358-3452 ext. 3 in Niagara Falls. More details... Yoga Classes - Community Connections Starts: 3:30 pm Ends: February 24, 2012 - 4:30 pm Location: Room 13 - Main Building Description: Register at the Welcome Centre for this 6 week session. Contact Josefina Pérez Community Connections Coordinator 905-685 6589 Ext. 228 More details...

27 Events on February 27, 2012 Job Search Workshop Part 2 Starts: 9:00 am Ends: February 27, 2012 - 12:00 pm Location: Computer Lab Room 14 Description: JSW – Job Search Workshop Program Develop the tools that will help you succeed in the Canadian job market! The JSW Program is an employment assessment program – working with you to figure out your needs, next steps, and future plans. The JSW Program offers you: A thorough needs assessment by a trained Employment Assessor A personalized action plan detailing next steps in your job search 1-on-1 job search coaching Pre-employment workshops conducted in a computerized environment Specialists who understand the job search needs of newcomers An environment to learn about job search strategies and Canadian business perspectives Who can participate? Newcomers to Canada who are ready and able to job search and who have a good command of the English language (LINC level 4+) Permanent residents – landed immigrants, convention refugees or live-in caregivers Please call or visit us for your employment assessment: (905) 685-6589 x 231 in St. Catharines or (905) 358-3452 in Niagara Falls More details... Job Search Workshop Starts: 9:00 am Ends: February 27, 2012 - 12:00 pm Location: Niagara Falls- 5853 Peer Street Description: Job Search Programs (JSW) Develop the tools that will help you succeed in the Canadian job market! The JSW Program is an employment assessment program – working with you to figure out your needs, next steps, and future plans. The JSW Program offers you: ■ A thorough needs assessment by a trained Employment Assessor ■ A personalized action plan detailing next steps in your job search ■ 1-on-1 job search coaching ■ Pre-employment workshops conducted in a computerized environment ■ Specialists who understand the job search needs of newcomers ■ An environment to learn about job search strategies and Canadian business perspectives Who can participate? ■ Newcomers to Canada who are ready and able to job search and who have a good command of the English language (LINC level 4+) ■ Permanent residents – landed immigrants, convention refugees or live-in caregivers Please call or visit us for your employment assessment: ■(905) 358-3452 ext. 3 in Niagara Falls. More details...

28 Events on February 28, 2012 Niagara Regional Housing- Settlement Starts: 9:00 am Ends: February 28, 2012 - 11:30 am Location: Room 13 More details... Job Search Workshop Part 2 Starts: 9:00 am Ends: February 28, 2012 - 12:00 pm Location: Computer Lab - Room 14 Description: JSW – Job Search Workshop Program Develop the tools that will help you succeed in the Canadian job market! The JSW Program is an employment assessment program – working with you to figure out your needs, next steps, and future plans. The JSW Program offers you: A thorough needs assessment by a trained Employment Assessor A personalized action plan detailing next steps in your job search 1-on-1 job search coaching Pre-employment workshops conducted in a computerized environment Specialists who understand the job search needs of newcomers An environment to learn about job search strategies and Canadian business perspectives Who can participate? Newcomers to Canada who are ready and able to job search and who have a good command of the English language (LINC level 4+) Permanent residents – landed immigrants, convention refugees or live-in caregivers Please call or visit us for your employment assessment: (905) 685-6589 x 231 in St. Catharines or (905) 358-3452 in Niagara Falls More details... Cooking Classes - Community Connections Starts: 11:00 am Ends: February 28, 2012 - 2:30 pm Location: Kitchen - Annex Building Description: For more info please contact: Josefina Pérez Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre Community Connections Coordinator jperez@folk-arts.ca 905-685 6589 Ext. 228 More details... Youth Group @ St. Ann's Starts: 4:00 pm Ends: February 28, 2012 - 6:00 pm Location: St. Ann Adult Education Centre, North Street Description: A different activity each week, for newcomer youth age 13 to 18, if interested please email youth@folk-arts.ca or call 905-685-6589 ext. 243 More details...

29 Events on February 29, 2012 Students' Spelling Bee - LINC/ESL Starts: 4:00 am Ends: February 29, 2012 - 10:30 am Location: Upper Hall - Annex Building Description: For more info contact: Ibrahim Abu-Zinid Programme Manager-LINC/ESL Niagara Folk Arts Multiculture Centre 85 Church Street St Catharines, Ontario, L2R 3C7 Tel.: (905) 685 - 6589 Ex 237 Fax: (905) 685 - 8376 More details... Job Search Workshop Part 2 Starts: 9:00 am Ends: February 29, 2012 - 12:00 pm Location: Computer Lab - Room 14 Description: JSW – Job Search Workshop Program Develop the tools that will help you succeed in the Canadian job market! The JSW Program is an employment assessment program – working with you to figure out your needs, next steps, and future plans. The JSW Program offers you: A thorough needs assessment by a trained Employment Assessor A personalized action plan detailing next steps in your job search 1-on-1 job search coaching Pre-employment workshops conducted in a computerized environment Specialists who understand the job search needs of newcomers An environment to learn about job search strategies and Canadian business perspectives Who can participate? Newcomers to Canada who are ready and able to job search and who have a good command of the English language (LINC level 4+) Permanent residents – landed immigrants, convention refugees or live-in caregivers Please call or visit us for your employment assessment: (905) 685-6589 x 231 in St. Catharines or (905) 358-3452 in Niagara Falls More details...