CultureLink’s Community Connections Mentorship Program started offering Citizenship Education Circles in 2011, in partnership with the Toronto Public Library.
Each Citizenship Education Circle is a 10-session mentoring program for newcomers to learn about Canada and prepare for the Citizenship Test. All 10 sessions are facilitated by a CultureLink staff member and a team of trained Citizenship Education mentors. Every participant is matched with one mentor to ensure learning exposure. Mentors review and discuss the “Discover Canada” study guide in easy English in a small group setting, and guide participants to discover and appreciate Canada. During the weekly 2-hour circle time, newcomers can improve their vocabulary and boost confidence in speaking English by participating in vivid conversations on various topics.
The Citizenship Education Circle not only assists newcomers with their learning of Canadian history, geography, government, citizenship rights, and responsibilities but also gives them an opportunity to connect with local volunteers, network and share experience and stories.
For volunteer mentors, this is a great way to give back: spending a couple of hours a week to enrich the lives of new Canadians and promote our key Canadian values: diversity, social conscience, and democracy is very rewarding.
Who is it for?
Newcomer Mentees
- New to Canada – Landed Immigrant or Convention Refugee
- Want to improve your spoken English
- Want to make new connections
- Want to learn more about Canada
Volunteer Mentors
- At least three years of life experience in Canada
- Knowledgeable about the Canadian history and key aspects of life in Canada, and willing to learn with the mentees
- Have group facilitating and coaching skills, or want to develop such skills through volunteering
- Complete a three-hour mandatory training
- Commit 35 volunteer hours in a six-month period (training and job-shadowing hours count towards the commitment)
Join the Circle!
To participate, fill in and submit CCMP’s Newcomer Registration Form.
Upon successful completion of one 10-session circle, the Citizenship Mentoring Program will provide committed participants with a certificate and a free trip with a guided tour in one of the heritage sites or sites of national and political importance.
For upcoming dates, visit CultureLink’s Event Calendar
Testimonials
“Last Monday my husband and I took the Citizenship Test and we passed !!!!!!! Now we are proudly Canadian Citizens. We would like to thank you again for all the invaluable guidance, advice and support that you and the volunteers gave us through your program.” – Lenita and Felix Almeida
“I just got home from CIC Test Center; after a long wait I finally took the citizenship test today and I am very happy to say that I passed it. HURRAY!!! I would like to thank CultureLink and specially to you the team of volunteers at North York Toronto Library and the team at Toronto Reference Library for your dedication, your countless volunteer hours that you dedicate to help and guide newcomers like me to achieve one of our dreams. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” – Simon Trejo
“Even though we still have a long way to go before we can apply for citizenship, we found the program to be very helpful. Thanks to it, we got to practice our English skills and know new people. Everything we learned during the program has helped us engage confidently in different conversations with a wide variety of people. My wife and I have already recommended this program to the people in our network, and we will continue to do so.” – Damian Ruiz