Welcome Centre Immigrant Services

The Welcome Centre Immigrant Services is a one-stop, under one roof, blended core-service delivery hub designed to guide and support immigrants through the maze of information and resources available in York Region.

Services are provided free of charge.

Social Enterprise for Canada led the design and development of the Welcome Centre concept for the Region of York. Of the 26 agencies that SEC engaged in the design process, four additional agencies were identified to serve as lead agencies and take the concept to action.

Social Enterprise for Canada chairs the initiative and is a joint partner with COSTI Immigrant Services, Catholic Community Services of York Region (CCSYR), Centre for Information and Community Services (CICS), and Job Skills, in the ongoing development and operation of the centre.

The Welcome Centre currently offers settlement and integration services; language training; accreditation and qualifications assistance; and, employment supports. Other services such as legal services, mental health services, and culturally-appropriate family counseling may be offered at a later date.

The first Welcome Centre Immigrant Services is located at 9100 Jane Street, Building H, Units 56-67, in Vaughan, Ontario.

On December 15, 2009, Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown announced that "The Government of Canada is investing in four new York Region Welcome Centres to help immigrants settle and integrate into Canada." The new Centres will be located in Markham North, Markham South, Newmarket and Richmond Hill. The Centres are scheduled to open for business in the summer of 2010. For more information on this announcement, please click here.
 

For more information on the Welcome Centre's programs, please click here.