Settlement Services for PERMANENT RESIDENTS or CONVENTION REFUGEES

Under this program, we assist PERMANENT RESIDENTS and CONVENTION REFUGEES to settle into and adapt to their new home, whether their needs are short- or long-term. Clients are assisted through confidential and culturally sensitive counselling and orientation sessions offered individually or in groups. We offer services in various languages and at no cost to clients. This program is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Our counsellors can help you with:

• filling out forms and applications (for example, sponsorship and citizenship)
• applying for many types of identification cards and documents
• finding affordable housing, childcare, or a family doctor
• searching for a job through employment counselling and learning job search skills
• assessing your eligibility for income support or other social services
• referrals to and setting appointments with other community and social services
• finding and enrolling in school and other training programs
• becoming oriented to Guelph and its local resources and facilities
• dealing with financial issues such as income taxes
• adjusting to being a new immigrant through short term adjustment counselling
• understanding your rights, entitlements, and responsibilities, as well as complaint procedures
• professional appointments (such as to the doctor, court, lawyer) by escorting you and interpreting
• cultural interpretation and translation of documents (there may be a fee for this service)
• advocacy