With the library branches closed since the middle of March, our Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) program workers have been working remotely. The team had to switch to digital service delivery and develop creative ideas to design new webinars and pieces of training for their clients, adding them to their everyday one-on-one settlement assistance. LSP program presented the current and upcoming online events and webinars at the Serving Newcomers: LSP Spring Event with the Toronto Public Library on June 9, 2020.

LSP’s Virtual 5-day Training for Citizenship Test Preparation, organized by the Mimico branch, was delivered in collaboration with Learning Enrichment Foundation. This online training covered a broad scope of interesting topics such as Canadian history, geography, governing system and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. More than 100 participants from all over Canada’s provinces and regions joined Zoom meeting to prepare for their Citizenship Test.

The virtual sessions organized by LSP Lillian H. Smith library branch resulted in dozens of participants feeling much more comfortable with online meetings and webinars. They enjoyed a workshop on Mental Wellness, special presentations and film screenings for Asian Heritage Month. Clients learned about the National Film Board of Canada’s YouTube Channel and how to use the Auto Translate functions to their preferred language.

LSP Eatonville branch hosted a workshop about EI Online Reporting that walked participants through the process of creating a My Service Canada account, then explained the system and emphasized the importance of completing the report regularly. Another workshop, “Understand Foreign Property Reporting” helped newcomers understand the types of foreign properties as well as their responsibility in filing the declaration and reporting in their personal tax return.

Additionally, in response to the growing needs of newcomers and low-income families, LSP staff joined a Community Volunteer Income Tax Program and offered a Virtual Tax Clinic to help to file taxes before the CRA deadline on June 30.

You can join upcoming webinars and sessions or receive assistance for filing your tax refund by sending emails to LSP program workers listed below.

Mimico-Centennial Branch
To register, contact Claudia Montoya via cmontoya@culturelink.ca.

• June 15-19 – Citizenship Test Preparation: Virtual Training
• July 8 – Dealing with COVID-related Financial Stress
• August 19 – Elevator Pitch
• September 5, 12 and 19 – The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth

Lillian H. Smith Branch
To register, contact  Stanley Teo via steo@culturelink.ca.

• Tax Clinic appointments until June 30
• June 12 – Discover Parks Canada in ON #1: Pukaskwa National Park
• June 25 – Responding and Fighting COVID Racism (Mandarin Session)
• June 30 – Trans-Canada Summer NFB Film Screening/Discussion

Eatonville Branch
To register, contact Yan Gu via ygu@culturelink.ca.

• Tax Clinic appointments until June 30
• June 25 – Responding and Fighting COVID Racism (Mandarin Session)