Congratulations, you are coming to Canada. You should celebrate this. Many people will pay any amount to be in your position right now. If you are migrating to Canada through express entry, you have probably decided that Alberta is the right province for you. As part of your preparation, there are certain things to do before you arrive. If you have not yet started working on them, you should start now. This is because there are things you will need to do in your first week in Canada. This article will focus on the settlement organizations in Alberta for New Immigrants. If you are landing in other provinces or territories, there will be other articles to address your needs.
As in every other provinces and territories, there are settlement organizations in Alberta. The organizations provide services and programs to help newcomers. Whether it’s finding the right school for your children, finding employment or participating in recreational programs, you will find these organizations helpful.
READ ALSO: GET HELP BEFORE YOU ARRIVE IN CANADA
Settlement organizations also provide information and guidance to newcomers. Their staff often speak several languages. So, they are able to provide services for people in their local language if required. In addition, these services are provided at no or low cost to the newcomers.
Settlement Organizations in Alberta Focusing on Education
Bow Valley College
Bow Valley College is a public college that offers various services for newcomers. These include
- Directions for Newcomers in Trades and Professional Careers. They offer career services to help newcomers get connected to the workforce and restart their career in Canada.
- The Centre for Excellence in Immigrant and Intercultural Advancement helps open doors to new career opportunities including teaching English as a second language, and careers in immigrant advancement and intercultural studies.
- Assessment & Testing Services offers tests for academic entrance, employment, immigration, high-school equivalency, and certification. Testing for standard of English language proficiency (IELTS) is available on their website.
Calgary Board of Education
Calgary Catholic School District
The Calgary Catholic School District is the Roman Catholic separate school board in Calgary that offers separate school registration for newcomers (Elementary, Junior and Senior High School). Students who were born outside of Canada can register at the St. John Reception Centre before enrolling at a local school. They offer support to newcomer and immigrant youth and their families in adjusting and adapting to the Canadian school system and Canadian culture. In addition, they offer interpreters to help families communicate with schools.
Chinook Learning Services
Settlement Organizations in Alberta: Others
1000 Voices and Genesis Centre
1000 Voices is a gathering place for the North of McKnight communities. It is located at the Genesis Centre. You can reach them at 7556 Falconridge Blvd NE or via phone on 403-930-3370. 1000 Voices is a place which can be used for community meetings, discussion groups, programs and services, cultural arts and local events. The facility also offers workplace programs and career counselling. For more information on their services, visit their website.
ActionDignity
Aspen Family and Community Network Society
The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth
The foundation provides services for immigrant and refugee youth and their families by providing appropriate information, knowledge and experience as they build a life in Canada. Aside this, their In School Settlement Program offer the follow services:
- Helps newly arrived immigrant families settle into new communities
- Provides information on community resources and services in Calgary
- Offers services in over 30 languages
- Provides culturally sensitive services through a diverse team of Settlement Practitioners
- Works in partnership with the Calgary Board of Education (CBE), the Calgary Catholic School District board (CCSD), and the Calgary Public Library
- Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Hosts workshops in libraries, schools, and community centres on topics such as Employment, Healthcare, School Systems, Financial Literacy, Accessing Social Benefits, Housing, Education, and more
- Offers Functional English Conversation Classes to Newcomers looking to learn English
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society
This organization provides settlement and integration services to newcomers and refugees in Alberta. Their settlement services include:
- Over 70 programs delivered through a multicultural, multilingual and multidisciplinary team of over 250 professionals, collectively speaking 60+ languages.
- Programs designed for every age group and demographic.
- Employment, language training, skills training and advocacy are a few of the areas of specialty.
Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association
This association focuses on the concerns and needs of immigrant and refugee women, girls and their families. They offer unique settlement and integration, language training, workplaces and family services.
Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council
Centre D’Accueil Pour Les Nouveaux Arrivants Francophones
This organization supports Francophone newcomer in their process of integration and social and professional integration on an ongoing basis.
Centre for Newcomers
The Centre for Newcomers is a resource centre for Calgary’s newcomers and refugees to receive settlement and integration services as well as information. Settlement and integration services include:
- Needs assessment and one-on-one counselling.
- Orientation to life in Canada and
- LGBTQ+ settlement services.
The Immigrant Educational Society
This organization offers language, employment, and settlement training for newly arrived newcomers and low income families. Moreover, their Welcome Resources Information Program is an information service to help guide newcomers through all the different programs and services available in Calgary such as:
- Traveling by public transit (bus or C-train),and buying a low-cost bus pass
- Joining social groups and meeting new people
- Finding a place of worship like a mosque, church, or synagogue
- Applying for documents like a Social Insurance Number or Alberta Health Card
Calgary Public Library
The Calgary Public Library system features various branch locations across the city. Along with various library services, they also offer services for newcomers such as:
- Special workshops and programs for children and adults
- ESL Writing Club, conversation clubs, ESL/IELTS books
- Online courses, Learn English Storytime and ELL School Success
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