Moving to a new country is not easy. Many newcomers to Canada find it difficult to speak a different language, adjust to a new culture, and do things in new ways. When family and friends are far away, newcomers often feel lonely. They miss the companionship and support they had back home. It is fortunate that many Canadians want to …
A Bed and a Chair
Ayham is new to Canada, he lives alone in Toronto while all of his family is back in Syria. A few weeks ago, he called 211 in search of a nearby settlement agency that supports the LGBTQ community and was referred to CultureLink. He was working at a drugstore to gain Canadian experience while studying to upgrade his mechanical engineering …
Become a Mentor
In a welcoming community, integration is a two-way street. While other countries lament that multiculturalism is failing, we Canadians have shown the world that the strong cohesiveness of our society embraces differences and fosters intercultural dialogues. CultureLink’s Community Connections Mentorship Program is a classic example that showcases the communities’ efforts in cementing a multicultural society. Volunteer mentors are key to …
Vision, Mission and Values
Vision Statement We envision a healthy, equitable, inclusive and welcoming society that works together to engage and integrate newcomers and other community members into Canadian life. Mission CultureLink is dedicated to facilitating the active participation and integration of newcomers and the broader community, recognizing the interdependence of these groups in our society. This is done by: Enhancing skills that promote …
History
Toronto has one of the largest immigrant and refugee populations in the world with over half of Torontonians born outside Canada and with over 100 languages spoken daily. CultureLink’s clientele includes newcomer communities from every corner of the globe. A 1986 study by Employment and Immigration Canada recommended that newcomers be settled more quickly and be supported by settlement services. …