Counselling and Settlement Assistance
Starting a new life in a new community, especially in another country, is a huge challenge for most people. This is certainly true for many of the newcomers who arrive in Parkdale from all over the world. Fortunately Canadians live in a society that was founded on immigration and that recognizes the importance of helping newcomers integrate and adapt to their new homes.
Resources for Francophones
If you need services in French, please follow the link below.
Vous pouvez trouver ci-dessous l'appareil de traduction google qui changera nos services de l'anglais à Français. Il se trouve également au bas de notre page Web. Click here.
❝ Parkdale Intercultural Association have been awarded a certificate of appreciation by The Canadian Revenue Agency
The primary goal of the Parkdale Intercultural Association is to provide counselling and settlement assistance to refugees and new immigrants in Parkdale. We are dedicated to making the adjustment to life in our community as easy and successful as possible. We recognize that newcomers contribute greatly to our prosperity and to our social and cultural lives and we feel that it is extremely important that all newcomers are given an opportunity to participate in all aspects of life in their new home.
We are able to provide our counselling and settlement assistance services in multiple languages. Please visit our Languages page to see a listing of the languages in which we are able to serve you. Our qualified an experienced counsellors and settlement workers help newcomers with the many steps that must be taken to become established in Canada. Our workers evaluate the needs of all our service users individually.
The settlement services we provide include:
Guidance with government assistance programs such as OW
(Ontario Works) and ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program)Assistance with filling out application forms for various government services and programs. We can provide assistance with applications for a SIN (Social Insurance Number), immigration sponsorship, citizenship and permanent resident status. We also assist with applications for OHIP, Employment Insurance, Toronto Community Housing and the provincial ‘Second Career’ program.
Assistance with application on work permits.
Orientation for newcomers - individuals and groups.
Referrals to free English language assessment and classes.
Employment counselling. Our workers provide assistance with:
Résumé assessment and development
Interview preparation
Educational and training opportunities
Labour market information
Referrals to employment agencies
Referrals to other social agencies and community organizations that provide direct assistance with issues such as housing, health care, legal aid, food banks and
recreational services.Referrals to additional services provided by PIA. These services include youth and seniors programs, various classes and workshops.
All community members are welcome at PIA. Our services are free and confidential. For Clients Rights and Responsibilities click here.
The Resource Centre
These facilities are available in our ‘Resource Centre’, which is located at 1257 Queen Street West, Toronto. Every year more than a thousand visitors make use of these resources.
The Resource Centre also provides many government application forms and a wide range of printed material with information on employment, health, education, legal issues and many other areas of interest to newcomers to Canada.
In order to use the Resource Centre clients must obtain a Resource Centre membership. Membership can be obtained free of charge by providing Identification documents or Immigration Status documents and by signing a ‘Resource Centre Policy Statement’, thus agreeing to comply with the rules and regulations of the Resource Centre.
PIA provides its service users with free access to computers, internet, printing, copying and faxing
Pre-Employment Training
Community Child Minder Training
This training is presented in partnership with:
Devenport-Perth Neighbourhood and community Health Center
Parkdale Community Health Centre
This workshop is presented to enable participants to develop the skills required to work as qualified child minders. It also helps participants acquire First Aid/CPR and Food Handling certification. It provides participants with basic knowledge on child development, child safety, nutrition and health. Participants attend a fifteen week training program which includes a fifteen hour practicum in a child care centre.
Offer Community members opportunities to develop skills required to work as child minders/home daycare providers.
Training include:
15 weeks in class training
15 hours practicum
First Aid/CPR and food handling Certification (cost attached)
Free Child-minding available. If you need an accommodation or extra support to participate in the program, please contact us by phone or in person.
| Parkdale Site | |
|---|---|
| Location | 1365 Queen St. W. |
| Contact | Rosa: 416-537-2411 ext.231 Lin: 416-536-4420 ext.22 |
| Davenport Site | |
|---|---|
| Location | 1900 Davenport Road |
| Contact | Tamara 416-588-3755 ext.557 |
Hands-on and Instructor-led Computer Classes
In six weekly sessions the participants of this workshop learn basic computer concepts and skills such as creating, saving, copying, transferring and deleting files. They also learn how to use standard computer applications to create resumes and business letters, and learn how to send and receive email and holiday e-cards.
Cashier Training Workshop
You will learn:
Operate a cash register
Make cash changes
Improve customer service skills
Write resume and cover letter
Short term child minding available Monday to Friday, 2:30PM - 8:30PM during the duration of the entire workshop. Please call in advance to make arrangements with the CNC.
Workshops, Information Sessions and Training
PIA offers a variety of workshops and information sessions every year. These sessions teach skills or provide instruction on how to achieve settlement goals. PIA also offers a number of workshops that are intended to teach participants employment-related skills. We refer to this type of workshop as ‘pre-employment training’.
Information about upcoming workshops and information sessions is provided on this website on the Workshop Calendar page. Our workshops and information sessions are free. However space is limited and it is generally necessary to register in advance. Information on how to register, as well as classroom locations, dates and times, is provided on bulletins that can be viewed by clicking the links on the monthly Workshop Calendar.
The following is a listing of workshops, information sessions and pre-employment training that PIA has offered in the past and will continue to offer on an ongoing basis whenever possible.
These projects are funded by Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada
Financial Literacy – Money Matters
This workshop, which is presented in partnership with ‘ABC Life Literacy Canada’ (which is sponsored by the TD Bank group), discusses money management techniques and presents financial advice in simple, straight-forward language suitable for newcomers and new Canadians. The material in this workshop is presented in two modules. Each module has a corresponding student workbook and is covered in one two-hour classroom session.
The first module deals with banks, credit unions and other financial institutions in Canada. It examines the services that these institutions provide, including savings accounts, credit cards and debit cards, and how to best use these services to manage savings, loans, bill payments and other financial requirements.
The second module deals with credit and discusses how to borrow money and how to handle debt. It provides tips on how to build a good credit rating and explores the many different ways in which money can be borrowed (personal loans, credit cards, lines of credit, mortgages, etc.).
Citizenship Preparation Classes
This information session provides participants with basic information about Canada and Canadian society. The material presented includes:
Citizenship rights and responsibilities
Canadian geography, history and symbols
Canadian government, voting and elections
Mock Test
This is knowledge that is required to pass the ‘Canadian Citizenship Test’ – a key requirement of becoming a Canadian citizen. Class participants are able to take a mock citizenship test to see how well they have learnt the required material. This information session is presented in six weekly two-hour sessions. Space is limited, please register ASAP.
Driver License Written Test Preparation Class
What will you learn:
Driving techniques
Traffic sign
Road rules
Driving safety
This workshop helps participants prepare for the written ‘rules of the road and traffic signs’ test that new drivers must pass in order to obtain a ‘G1’ license under the graduated licensing program established in Ontario by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. It also provides instruction on the safe operation of a motor vehicle. Participants attend three weekly two-hour classes. Due to the high demand, make sure to call and reserver a spot.