Resources

A general overview

Immigrants Working Centre offers a suite of targeted and specialized services for newcomers to Canada, to meet a full-range of skills-development and settlement needs.

Remember:

Connecting the IWC settlement team is a great first-step for newcomers to learn about all available resources. Connect with our team today and receive support with:

  • Needs assessment and orientation to your available services
  • Interpretation/translation in 12 languages
  • Support with referrals and booking appointments
  • Support completing government documents
  • A full, up-to-date information guide on resources in health, education, childcare, community centres
  • One-on-one and short-term counselling available!

Visit our Settlement services page.

 

Healthcare resources

 

Telehealth Ontario: a free, confidential telephone service you can call to get health advice or general health information from a registered nurse. Call 1-866-797-0000 or visit www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/telehealth/

If you do not have health insurance, you have a right to access Community Health Centres (CHCs) free of charge, regardless of ability to provide a health card, these include:

 

Hamilton Urban Core CHC

www.hucchc.com

71 Rebecca Street Mon 9-5, Tues 9-8, Weds 12:30-5, Thurs 9-8.

Also open on the 3rd Friday (9-5) and Saturday (9-1) of every month.

Call 905-522-3233 to make an appointment

 

Refuge: Hamilton Centre for Newcomer Health

www.newcomerhealth.ca

*For new immigrants and refugees 183 Hughson Street, Lower Level Administrative hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-2:30. Evening/weekend clinic times also available. Call 905-526-0000 to make an appointment

Shelter Health Network

www.shelterhealthnetwork.ca

 

*For clients who do not have stable housing Various locations across Hamilton.

Visit www.shelterhealthnetwork.ca/?page_id=759

for monthly clinic schedule. Walk-in or by appointment (call 905-526-7137 to make an appointment).

 

The Dental Health Bus is a mobile dental clinic offering free dental emergency services to those who do not have dental insurance.

 

 


 

Housing Resources

 

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers great information on the renting process, offering other helpful suggestions and worksheets, learn more:

https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/

 

Paying rent and rules for tenants

Learn more with a tip sheet for rent deposits and what you need to know about the law as a tenant, including rules for rent increases, evictions, repairs and everything you need to know as a tenant.

Looking for shelter in your area?

  • 211 Ontario– Search for shelters all over Ontario.
  • Shelter Safe– Find shelters in your community with a clickable map for women experiencing violence abuse. 

Learn more about Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) and the eligibility requirements here on the Settlement Canada website:

https://settlement.org/ontario/education/english-as-a-second-language-esl/linc-program/

 

Please note: To join our classes, you first need a CLB assessment from the YMCA Assessment Centre:

(English Language Assessments | YMCA HBB – YMCA)

 

Learn more about the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).

Click here for an overview of nationally recognized standard for assessing Adult English as a Second Language Learners here: https://www.clb-osa.ca/benchmarks/overview

 

Not sure about your levels? Take the CLB-OSA!

 https://www.clb-osa.ca/ 

  • This tool will assess your CLB levels in reading and listening. Your test results are for your information only – they are not official results.

All IWC’s instructors use the Portfolio Based Language Assessment (PBLA) to help you reach your language learning goals. Click here to find out more about it:

https://www.language.ca/resourcesexpertise/my-pbla/

 

Do you have IELTS, CELPIP, TOEFL scores? Here is how they match the CLBs:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/language-requirements/test-equivalency-charts.html

 

Ready to apply for citizenship? Once you have your CLB 4 in listening and speaking from our centre, we will provide you with a citizenship certificate that you can include in your application package.

You can also take a government approved CELPIP test to confirm your CLB 4 levels:

https://www.celpip.ca/

 

Learn more about applying for Canadian Citizenship here

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/citizenship-test.html .

 

Start preparing now! The Study Guide is here

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/discover-canada.html.

Connecting the IWC employment team is a great first-step for newcomers to receive support with all aspects of employment in Ontario.

Visit our employment website below and view our available programs and services: Click here.

 

 

Looking for job opportunities in your area?

 

Visit  Ontario Job Bank and Hamilton Job Bank listings to see current opportunities

For more job opportunities also visit Indeed, Localwork.camonster.ca,

 

Remember:

Before applying, job-seekers need to ensure resume is professional and industry-specific!

 

Connect with our employment team today to receive:

  • Personalized counselling to navigate job application
  • Support building a targeted and industry-specific resume
  • Learn more about available employment programs to help you start or improve your career in Canada!

Clicl here for more information.

 


 

Interested in practicing a skilled trade in Canada?

 Individuals must pass the Ontario College of Trades exam, completing training and certifications in order to legally practice their trade in Ontario, visit

https://www.collegeoftrades.ca/ to learn more

  • Not sure where to start? Looking for support passing the Ontario College of Trades exam, visit our employment page [link] to view counselling options and sign-up for our preparation courses!

Curious about Hamilton’s labour market?

 Visit: Workforce Planning Hamilton to learn more

  • Make sure to connect with one of our employment team  who will work alongside you to secure work in Canada.

Gain new skills. Be creative. Raise awareness. Join unique programming to expand your network in the Hamilton community.

 

Do it all – through our Community Connections IWC programming!

 

To view our available programs including digital and financial literacy, citizenship preparation and driving preparation and more, visit: Community Connections.

 


 

For other available programs in the Hamilton area, visit:

   

YWCA – Health and Wellness programs:

https://www.ywcahamilton.org/health-and-wellness/#1530802793013-74e8bd57-0764 

 

Hamilton Public Library

https://events.hpl.ca/events?r=thismonth&l=Virtual+Branch