Daily Essentials
Housing, jobs, legal help, food banks, and local activities.
Making Friends
Welcoming groups, social clubs, and volunteer opportunities.
Youth Leadership
Programs that build confidence, skills, and voice.
SWIS works to ignite the potential, belonging, and success of newcomer families in the heart of our schools and communities.
While our team is here to support all newcomer families, certain specialized programs may have specific eligibility criteria. Please check in with your School Settlement Worker before registering to find the right fit.
Moving to a new country means finding a place where you truly belong. We are here to support your family’s unique journey and help you build a good life here.
We start by listening to what you need most — whether it is learning English, finding a doctor, or managing your budget. Instead of just giving you phone numbers, we personally connect you to helpful local services.
Housing, jobs, legal help, food banks, and local activities.
Welcoming groups, social clubs, and volunteer opportunities.
Programs that build confidence, skills, and voice.
We work with trusted partners to connect families with financial literacy, employment, health and wellness, housing navigation, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
A happy, successful child starts with feeling welcome at school. We work right inside schools to help you and your family understand how education in Ontario works.
We are here to help you every step of the way, including:
Getting Started: Registering for school and taking your first school tour.
Planning for the Future: Understanding high school graduation, college, university, and financial aid (OSAP).
Building Confidence: Offering summer programs, student spaces, and wellness activities to help children and youth make friends and feel comfortable.
Connecting with the School: Helping you communicate with teachers and school leaders, so your voice is heard and respected.
We are proud to partner with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) through a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). By embedding dedicated Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS), we bridge community support with education, fostering positive social-emotional growth and helping newcomer students thrive academically and socially.
Our shared goal is simple: to enhance learning outcomes, strengthen family engagement, and build strong connections between home, school, and community.
Connecting Families to SWIS Support
To protect family privacy and ensure seamless collaboration, a signed SWIS Consent Form is required before our workers can reach out to a family.
For School Staff: Completing the consent form with parents/guardians allows us to jump in quickly as a trusted support team.
For Families: Signing this form gives us permission to connect with you directly, offer multilingual guidance, and help you navigate the school system with confidence.
1-on-1 Settlement Guidance: Confidential support with school policies, report cards, parent-teacher interviews, and graduation pathways.
Orientation & Transition Programs: Group workshops (including summer NOW & WIN programs) to prepare students and parents for school expectations.
System Navigation: Direct linkages to local language training, healthcare, employment, and youth programs.
Cultural Bridging: Facilitating clear, culturally responsive communication between families and school staff.
Note on Service Scope: Settlement workers collaborate closely with school teams but remain independent employees of our community agency. Our focus is on settlement navigation. We do not handle academic discipline or replace official board interpreters.
For general inquiries, please contact us.
Comprehensive support programs designed to engage, educate, and empower newcomer youth.
The Children’s Summer Enrichment Program is a free five-week program in July for newcomer children ages 7–12 living in Scarborough. Participants enjoy engaging activities that build learning, confidence, and friendships through math, science, reading, sports, arts, leadership, wellness, and exciting field trips. To learn more or register, contact your school settlement worker or email us.
The Youth Summer Zone Program is a free one-week program in July for newcomer youth ages 13–18 living in Scarborough. Participants enjoy engaging activities that promote learning, personal growth, and well-being through sports, outdoor adventures, creative arts, leadership development, social skill-building, and mental health and wellness workshops. To learn more or register, contact your school settlement worker or email us.
Starting high school in a new country can be both exciting and challenging. The NOW Program is a free, week-long orientation held each August that helps newcomer students entering grades 9–12 feel confident, connected, and ready for success before the school year begins. Through interactive workshops and activities, students learn about school routines, the Ontario credit system, course selection, and the school and community resources available to support them. Guided by trained peer mentors who have experienced the same transition, participants build friendships, gain practical knowledge, and receive ongoing mentorship throughout the school year—making the journey into high school smoother and more successful.
Starting middle school in a new country can feel overwhelming—however, students don’t have to do it alone. This free one-day orientation, held just before the school year begins, helps newcomer students entering Grades 7 and 8 build confidence, make new friends, and feel prepared for their first day. Through interactive activities, leadership opportunities, and peer mentoring, participants learn about school routines, expectations, and strategies for success. Older student mentors share their own experiences, answer questions, and provide encouragement, helping newcomers feel welcomed and connected. The support doesn’t end after orientation—peer mentoring continues throughout the school year to help students thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Make the most of your March Break with a week of adventure, learning, and new experiences! The March Break Program is a free opportunity for newcomer high school students in Scarborough to build confidence, develop leadership and communication skills, make new friends, and explore their community in a fun and supportive environment.
Participants enjoy a variety of interactive experiences, including outdoor adventures, university and community tours, arts and wellness workshops, volunteering opportunities, sports, digital media activities, and cultural experiences. Previous highlights include rock climbing, camping, museum visits, pottery painting, and campus tours at the University of Toronto Scarborough.
Designed for eligible TDSB and TCDSB newcomer high school students, the program helps youth discover Canadian culture, strengthen valuable life skills, expand their social networks, and create lasting memories. To learn more or register for the March Break Program, please contact your school settlement worker or email us.
We empower students and families to navigate the journey beyond high school with clarity and confidence. Our sessions illuminate the diverse higher education options available in Ontario, guiding youth as they explore university programs, college diplomas, or rewarding careers in the skilled trades. To ensure a smooth transition, we provide step-by-step guidance through the entire financial planning process, including navigating OSAP applications, securing bursaries, and unlocking scholarship opportunities. Our goal is to break down barriers so that every student can confidently reach their highest academic and career aspirations.
If you or someone you care about is feeling overwhelmed by a crisis or heavy emotions, you do not have to carry it alone. Our team is here to help you navigate the way forward.
Program Eligibility: These free wellness services are funded by IRCC and are open to permanent residents, convention refugees, and live-in caregivers.
Nurturing the mental and emotional well-being of our families is at the core of a healthy new beginning. In partnership with CCS Mental Health & Well-being Toronto, we provide a safe, compassionate space for families navigating the unique stresses of moving to a new country. Through supportive counselling, case management, and psychoeducation, we walk alongside individuals and families facing anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, grief, or trauma.
Crisis Support Counsellor
Mental Health Counsellor
Our specialized Women’s Wellness Program focuses deeply on the health and empowerment of immigrant and refugee women, offering confidential one-on-one counseling and group sessions. Whether in-person or through flexible virtual support, we ensure that when emotions feel overwhelming, no one has to walk through a crisis alone.
Women’s Wellness Worker