SETTLEMENT & INTEGRATION SERVICES

Supporting newcomers through settlement and integration for over 30 years

Settlement Progam Overview

Moving to a new country can be both exciting and strenuous. SCFS understands the challenges involved in settling into a new country and has specifically designed our integration programs to facilitate and ease this transition for newcomers. Our team of diverse settlement counselors provide first-language settlement supports to immigrants and refugees in English, French, Somali, Arabic and an ever-expanding number of other languages. We directly assist these clients in responding to complex concerns related to their migration and integration process. Our programs are additionally dually designed to both empower and support clients through capacity and skills-based training and workshops as well as through individualized one-one client appointments.

SCFS is committed to supporting the successful integration of immigrants and refugees into Canada. As part of this commitment, SCFS has developed a comprehensive settlement service programs that directly support newcomers to address their immediate and essential integration needs. Our team of diverse and multilingual settlement counsellours assist newcomer clients to navigate and familiarize them with core Canadian systems and cultures and address a wide range of settlement-related topics.

Newcomers will obtain the required support and skill to find and apply for employment opportunities in general labour, construction industries, cleaning companies, local food stores, and placement agencies. This program gives particularly allows newcomer youth to settle in and successfully contribute to the society socially, economically, and culturally.

SCFS offers settlement services at Alta vista and Elmvale Public library. The services include one-on-one settlement information, group information session, and Newcomers outreach. Services currently coordinated by library settlement workers include: the English Group, French Conversation Group, Homework Help Program for Newcomers and Canadian Citizenship Study Program.

SCFS is partnering with Canada Revenue Agency to offer free Tax preparation for low income Newcomers families through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) since 2011.

Through this program, we have a group of volunteers that are committed their valuable time to provide a valuable service to members of their community.

Our 2020 Income Tax Clinic for March and April we have prepared for 393 newcomer low income clients for their tax returns free of charge.

Our sincere thanks go to all of our wonderful volunteers we wouldn’t have done it without them.

Life Skills

Language

Employment Training

Financial Literacy

Foreign Credential Assessment

Our Approach to Settlement

COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL

The Immigrant Settlement and Integration Programs specifically provides; direct settlement services, orientation and information-sharing sessions, labour market access and job-search supports, community outreach and volunteer programs which subsequently include; strategic community-based partnerships in local schools and libraries, English and French language conversation circles, and homework help programs. SCFS also provides Canadian citizenship preparation supports, drop-in services and referrals and a community volunteer income tax program. Our hope is that through compassionate and wide-ranging service and support provision we can directly assist newcomers better understand and integrate into the Canadian cultural mosaic and ultimately improve their quality of life.

What you need to know

Eligibility for the settlement and adaptation program

Schedule Appointment

Who is Eligible?

Those who are eligible for Immigrant Settlement & Integration Program services are

Permanent residents of Canada
Protected persons as defined in section 95 of the Immigrant and Refugee Protection Act
Individuals who have been selected inside or outside Canada, to become permanent residents (pending verifications) and who have been informed by a letter from Immigrants Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Convention refugees and protected persons outside Canada who have been selected for resettlement to Canada by IRCC
Temporary foreign workers who hold or received approval of a work permit under section 112 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)
Initial approval for permanent residence under section 113 of the IRPR

In order to participate in ISIP services, you must have one of the following:

A PR (Permanent Resident Card)
A Permanent Resident confirmation letter from IRCC
A work permit with the above specifications

Canadian Citizens, visitors, students, working visa holders and temporary foreign workers are not eligible. Please refer to other services to discover services you may be eligible for.

Your first visit

At your first visit-in-person we will

Welcome you and determine if the Immigrant Settlement & Integration Program is the best services option for you
Register you with the Immigrant Settlement & Integration Program
Talk to you about your settlement experiences and share with you how we can assist you
Provide information on key settlement information for newly arrived immigrants
Work with you to determine your immediate, short term and long term settlement and employment goals
Review your English language learning needs and help you to sign up for English training programs such as LINC English learning programs for everyday use and for the workplace
Introduce you to ways to connect with your community

One-on-One appointments

Our friendly and professional settlement staff offer one-to-one appointments to eligible immigrants, newcomers and their families. We give orientation and information about living in Canada. Our settlement staff can provide you with in-depth information in many topics (outlined above).

We provide in-person, phone-in, and online appointments to suit your needs. Schedule an Appoint by clicking on the bottom the “Schedule Appointment”

Our Settlement Team

The right people, with the same experiences, helping others.

Rama Alsafadi

Settlement Counselor

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Manar Nasser

Settlement Counselor

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Marian Farah

Settlement Counselor

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Ali Malash

Settlement Counselor

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Fathiya Ibrahim

Settlement Counselor

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Rukia Warsame

Settlement Counselor

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Abdulkadir Yussuf

Settlement Manager

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Muhubo Muse

Settlement Counselor

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Trisha Islam

Trisha Islam is the Director of All That Kids Can Be at United Way East Ontario (UWEO). Trisha focuses on bringing together people and resources to ensure children, youth, and families are ready for school, have safe and stable housing, and are supported to navigate mental health, substance use, and addictions challenges.

She is a Bangladeshi Muslim immigrant and hopes for communities across East Ontario to be places where children and youth feel safe and seen, can be themselves, and have access to whatever they need to reach their dreams. Trisha brings knowledge and experience from working alongside youth-led collective impact initiatives across Canada, community and international development, social policy, food security, and financial empowerment.

Hedaia Leandre

Hedaia is a 22 year old who is simultaneously studying Business Administration at Algonquin College and Medical Office Assistant at ABM College. She is passionate about community building, social inclusion and finding ways to be sustainable. She is also someone who loves to learn and research about the origins of certain topics. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, dancing and baking sweets.

Hedaia decided to join the Building Black Youth Future Resilience Advisory Committee because she wants to contribute to the knowledge-development of the Black youths in our community. She believes that she will also have the opportunity to learn new skills and meet like-minded folks.

Nicole Greaves

Nicole is a community leader and advocate with a message of collaboration and positive engagement that facilitate individual and community well-being. She is a Holistic Care Consultant and Registered Nurse with many years of experience in the health and wellness sector.

Nicole is intentional about volunteering, mentoring and learning with families, seniors and youths from diverse communities. She is also the founding Director of “Ubuntu ConneXions Community Inc. with the vision of promoting and embodying community unity, collaborative works and caring to make a difference in our lifes’ journey.

She believes that self-care is a necessary investment plan for the mind and body. Her self-care investment portfolio includes rest, physical movement and spending time with family and friends embracing grace and gratitude.

Nicole welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the collective works of the Somali Centre for Family Services’ BBYFR Steering Committee

Ubuntu,

Nicole

Tolorunlogo Akinrinola

Tolorunlogo Akinrinola is a Nigerian-born Canadian passionate about combating racial inequalities through education, art, and community building.

Tolorunlogo is a graduate of the University of Ottawa Masters of Education program, as well as a graduate of the third cohort of the Developing Young Leaders of Tomorrow, Today Black Diplomats Academy (BDA Academy) - where he was selected as a delegate to the United Nations Permanent Forum of People of African Descent. He won the Rising Star award at BDA Academy. Tolorunlogo is also an artist who has had his work featured at the Ottawa Art Gallery and in exhibitions in London and Toronto.

Tolorunlogo is an up-and-coming policy analyst looking to dismantle the School-to-Prison pipeline that disproportionally affects youth of African descent. Currently, he is the Director of Future Paths Network and an Executive Board Member of Minds-On, both grassroots non-profit organizations that aim to shape an equitable future for Black and racialized youth. On his ‘off days’, Tolorunlogo enjoys various hobbies, such as diverse cuisines, music, poetry, writing, origami, basketball, and reading.

Nicole Greaves

Nicole welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the collective works of the Somali Centre for Family Services’ BBYFR Steering Committee

Ubuntu,

Nicole

Anne Musene

Anne L. Musene is a 22 years old and hold an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa. Anne is currently completing my Graduate Certificate in Project Management at Algonquin College. Anne is passionate about topics of economic growth, environmental protection, community building, and social inclusion. In her free time, Anne enjoys researching interesting topics, reading, learning new languages, teaching violin and piano, and co-directing children's music ensembles.

Anne joined the Building Black Youth Future Resilience Advisory Committee to be more involved and contribute to the best of my capacities in our Black youth community. Moreover, it is an excellent opportunity to develop new skills, connect with new people, and build resilience overall. Anne is looking forward to learning more about the BBYFR project and contributing to its evolution.

Ahmed Awad

Ahmed is a 5th year student studying at Western University in the Medical Sciences program. Ahmed is thrilled to be part of the BBYFR Project Advisory Committee and look forward to helping Black youth explore the many opportunities in the STEM fields.

Samira Awad

Samira is currently a fourth-year Science student at the University of Ottawa. Samira is excited to be part of the BBYFR Project Advisory Committee and to be able to help Black youths succeed in their education and secure a job.

Chanda Jones

Chanda Jones is the Founder and CEO of Future Paths Network, a grassroot non-profit dedicated to supporting black youth transitioning from foster care. As an ambassador of the Children's Aid Foundation of Canada, she is an advocate for positive change. Chanda's passion lies in offering mentorship and creating nurturing environments for young individuals in entrepreneurship, entertainment, and culture. As a youth program consultant, she helps organizations achieve effective engagement, contributing to the prosperity of black youth and fostering community connections. Chanda's impactful work centers on bridging pathways to new opportunities and creating a brighter future for the youth she serves.

SETTLEMENT & INTEGRATION SERVICES

Supporting newcomers through settlement and integration for over 30 years

Settlement Progam Overview

COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL

Eligibility for the settlement and adaptation program

Who is Eligible?

Your first visit

One-on-One appointments

Our Settlement Team

Rama Alsafadi

Manar Nasser

Marian Farah

Ali Malash

Fathiya Ibrahim

Rukia Warsame

Abdulkadir Yussuf

Muhubo Muse

Head Office

Youth Office

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Trisha Islam

Hedaia Leandre

Nicole Greaves

Tolorunlogo Akinrinola

Nicole Greaves

Anne Musene

Ahmed Awad

Samira Awad

Chanda Jones