Helping Newcomers Feel Welcomed in Canada

My students inspired me to share some information on trade shows, career fairs, and associations that help newcomers feel welcomed with an easier transition to Canada. Please add comments on other website links to help me add to the list of vendors, associations, etc.  If you could please also send me links to help newcomers with housing, social events, jobs, etc. that would be helpful to share on future blogs.

CAREER FAIR WEBSITES

• https://www.newcomerscanada.ca/event/toronto/
• Torontojobs.ca

CLOTHES 

• https://www.havenontheq.com/services
• Professional Clothes https://toronto.dressforsuccess.org/
• Thrift Stores:
• https://salvationarmy.ca/
• https://www.valuevillage.com/
• https://www.talize.com/

EVENTS - SOCIAL (sports, hobbies, interests, etc.)

• Meetup.com
• EventBrite https://www.eventbrite.ca/
• https://www.toronto.com/events-calendar/
• https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/festivals-events-calendar/
• FREE tickets to some museums, art galleries, theatres https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/museum-arts-passes/
• Toastmasters (also great presentation, leadership and other education streams). Most allow you to go 1-3 times for free before joining
• https://www.toastmasters.org/

FOOD

• If you are hungry and need a helping hand please see the below for locations near you http://donate.dailybread.ca/?msclkid=9b420ad8e35012ef249954ec5ebe1d36&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=DBFB%20-%20Search&utm_term=food%20bank&utm_content=Food%20Bank
• In Etobicoke please visit https://www.havenontheq.com/services

HEALTH & WELLNESS- Toronto

• https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/health-services-for-newcomers/

HOUSING 

• https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/moving-to-toronto/refugee-resettlement-program/
• https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/853e-newcomer-welcome-brochure-english.pdf

HORSERACING - watch for Free Woodbine (except Queen's Plate)

• Race Days https://woodbine.com/race/#!/WOT/1/2019-12-15
• Woodbine.com

LEGAL 

• https://www.legalaid.on.ca/more/corporate/contact-legal-aid-ontario/

OTHER - TORONTO

• https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/853e-newcomer-welcome-brochure-english.pdf

PARKS

• High Park
• Centennial Park
• Centennial Park - Greenhouse (solarium) https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/gardens-and-horticulture/conservatories/centennial-park-conservatory/

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 

• If you are already a member of an association please go to their networking events. If not, you may want to network at an additional cost at some of their events
• PMI.org
• HRPA
• Toastmasters

RENTAL BOOKS, eBOOKS, MUSIC CDS, MOVIE DVDs, & SOME WORKSHOPS (EDUCATION, SOCIAL, ETC.)

• Speak with your local librarian on products that you can rent (free) and services at Toronto Public Library https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/

VOLUNTEERING (which may be used on your resume and ask for a reference from the organization)

• If you love animals please consider EHS Etobicoke Humane Society https://etobicokehumanesociety.com/
• Toronto Zoo http://www.torontozoo.com/tz/volunteer
• If you want to help seniors as a friendly visitor consider helping at a long-term care home facility near you https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/long-term-care-homes/
• If you want to help kids as a friendly visitor consider helping Toronto Sick Kids http://www.sickkids.ca/CareersVolunteering/volunteering/index.html
• Helping those who are hungry and need a helping hand http://donate.dailybread.ca/?msclkid=9b420ad8e35012ef249954ec5ebe1d36&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=DBFB%20-%20Search&utm_term=food%20bank&utm_content=Food%20Bank
• In Etobicoke visit https://www.havenontheq.com/services

WORK 

LOOKING FOR WORK

• Partner with recruitment agencies early (they are free to the candidate in Canada)
• See above on associations that help newcomers with job search strategies
• I AM PROUD TO PRESENT "HR & Project Management" AT INDUS (formerly known as India Rainbow)

PROGRAMS TO HELP NEWCOMERS WITH JOBS

• Indus - https://induscs.ca/
• JobStart - https://www.jobstart.org/contact
• vpi - https://www.vpi-inc.com/employment-programs/
• JVS - https://www.jvstoronto.org/

WORKING OUT - GYMS

• https://trythey.ymcagta.org/ YMCA 

Also, please reach out to your religious leader near you to see if there are any services that they can help you with or know of other associations or organizations.

For students, please reach out to your student advisor at your College/University to see if they have any information. Find out if your College or University has a career coach to help you with your resume, job search strategies and potential jobs (coop, internship, etc.)