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Settlement Services

The Settlement Department assists newcomers to meet their immediate and longer-term settlement needs, including information and orientation to the community, referrals to community and social services, solution-focussed counselling and assistance with settlement plans.

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Program Information

The broad range of settlement services offered by the Settlement Department include needs assessment, orientation to the community, assistance with forms and documentation, information about Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) programs based on the IRCC website, referrals to programs within and external to our Centre, interpretation, advocacy and supportive counseling.

We assist with health, housing, education, childcare and many other areas and we can refer you to specialized medical, legal, employment and counseling services when needed. We ensure that you enjoy full access to the programs and services of important public sector agencies such as Canada Revenue Agency(Canada Child Benefit, GST/HST Credit), Service Canada (Social Insurance Number, Employment Insurance, pensions), Service Ontario (Ontario Health Insurance, Ontario Drivers License), and the Region of Niagara (Social Assistance, Niagara Regional Housing, Childcare Subsidy Program, Pro-Kids Program).

As settlement planning is vital to successful settlement, we support you as you articulate your settlement goals and formulate your personalized settlement plan. This plan will assist you to achieve your goals and create a rewarding new life for you and your family in Canada.

Our services are delivered through both personalized individual/family counseling sessions and group sessions. We offer information workshops on key settlement topics as well as group orientation sessions such as the Orientation to Ontario (O2O) workshop offered in four languages.

In our Welcome Centre and settlement office, we offer both electronic (by way of public access computers) and print resources that will help to orient you to your new community. Our information and orientation materials include our Facts Sheets/Welcome Kits, maps of our city, the City’s Leisure Guide, bicycle/trail maps, and brochures about recreational programs and festivals. There are also resource materials on the topics of Canada’s laws and legal system that outline your rights, volunteer opportunities in the community, and community resources such as our public library.

Languages of Service
  • English
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Mandarin
  • Arabic
  • Hebrew
  • Hungarian
  • Turkish
  • Nepalese
  • Urdu
  • Hindi
Eligibility Requirements

  • Permanent Residents (Landed Immigrants)
  • Convention Refugees
  • Refugee Claimants
  • Canadian Citizens
  • Live-in Caregivers
  • Minister’s Permit Holders
  • We are also able to provide limited service to visitors and international students through our International Student Connect Program.

All settlement services are provided at no cost to clients. Some service limitations may apply.

Locations / Hours

St. Catharines

Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre
85 Church Street
905-685-6589 Ext: 225
Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Niagara Falls

St. Ann Adult Learning Centre
5895 North Street
289-407-1793
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 8:30am - 4:30 pm (doors close at 4:00 pm)

Due to COVID-19, we are currently offering services virtually.

Interested in this program?

Please contact a team member for more information.

Team - Settlement Services
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Resources

Consumer Guide

Questions to ask your Immigration Consultant.

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ICCRC Complaints Process

The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) is the national regulatory body designated by the government of Canada to regulate professionals who provide Canadian immigration consulting, Canadian citizenship consulting, and international student advising services.

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Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)

Provides information on acts, rules and regulations pertaining to immigrants and refugees. Also contains information and research on country of origin that can help refugees prepare for their IRB hearing. The site will soon offer an electronic version of the Personal Information Form (PIF).

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Newcomer Services

Find newcomer services near you.

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Legal Services for Newcomers

The Canadian legal system protects you in many different areas of your life. Find information about your legal rights and responsibilities and how to get legal help.

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Canadian Passport Office

Provides information and downloadable application forms for Canadian passports. Also contains addresses of passport offices across Canada and information on how to report a lost or stolen passport. There is also information on Canadian travel documents for refugees and stateless persons.

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District School Board of Niagara

District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) is a school board in the public school system of Ontario, Canada, in the Regional Municipality of Niagara. Its head office is in St. Catharines.

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Government of Canada

This is the central website of the Government of Canada and gateway to all federal government departments Government of Canada Site | Site du gouvernement du Canada.

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Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Provides information relating to immigration and citizenship including policy and regulations, the new immigration act, research, statistics, news, publications and the addresses of visa offices abroad. The site contains various application forms (ie. Work permit, sponsorship, citizenship, permanent resident card etc.)

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Niagara College

Niagara College is a College of Applied Arts and Technology within the Niagara Region of Southern Ontario. The College has three campuses: Welland Campus, Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus and Niagara Falls Campus.

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Brock University

Brock is a place where left-brain and right-brain thinking come together. Students develop rational/analytical thinking in concert with their emotional/creative sides. We view community involvement as crucial to developing intelligent, well-rounded members of society.

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50+ Program

Any immigrant to Canada, newcomer or oldcomer is welcome to join the 50+ Group.

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Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Program

The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre's Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Program strives to address racism and other discriminations that impact the lives of our clients, staff, and community members.

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Care For Newcomer Children

Prepares newcomer children with English language and other school readiness skills. Runs concurrent with the centre’s English day classes.

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Community Connections

Community Connections brings together newcomers to Canada and established community residents for sharing and learning.

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Employment Services

As a newcomer to Canada, you may have questions about job searching and what you can do to find the job of your choice. Our employment services are available on-line and in-person; our team of specialists understand the job search needs of people new to Canada. We succeed when you succeed!‍

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English as a Second Language Classes

Our centre offers full time Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) and English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction for adults of varying levels of language ability. Our LINC/ESL program facilitates students’ social, cultural and occupational integration into Canadian life.

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Healthcare Navigator Training Program for IEHPs

The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre is launching a pilot Healthcare Navigator Training Program for IEHPs that will create a pool of trained professionals who can assist and advocate for newcomers to Canada when they access healthcare in Ontario. The project will assist healthcare employers in the delivery of newcomer healthcare, it will help newcomers learn to navigate Ontario’s complex healthcare services and it will assist IEHPs to overcome the significant barriers to workforce entry they experience.

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Migrant Workers Support Project (MWP)

The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre (NFAMC) is pleased to launch a pilot program designed to support Migrant Workers across Niagara. The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre will work in partnership with The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO) to provide migrant workers information, support and services so they can better navigate their time in Canada.

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Peer-to-Peer Vaccine Education & Outreach Program

Our Peer-to-Peer Vaccine Education & Outreach program provides information & education sessions to newcomers in Niagara so they have access to culturally and linguistically evidence-based information when it comes to COVID-19 & vaccines.

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Settlement Services

The Settlement Department assists newcomers to meet their immediate and longer-term settlement needs, including information and orientation to the community, referrals to community and social services, solution-focussed counselling and assistance with settlement plans.

Learn More

Skills Training Programs

Enhance your knowledge and upgrade your skills in a variety of topics including Workplace Health and Safety, Small Business Basics, Customer Service and more.

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Wellness Program

Our Bridging Barriers to Newcomer Wellness Program provides wellness support to newcomers in Niagara who are experiencing language and other social barriers to accessing mainstream mental health services.

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Youth Services

The youth program offers several opportunities for newcomer youth age 13 to 24 to get connected to the community.

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Our Mission

We celebrate and promote cultural, social and economic inclusion and well-being of all immigrants and newcomers.

Our Vision

We are a gateway to equitable, respectful and welcoming communities for immigrants and newcomers in Niagara.

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