It takes a village: Serving the needs of Syrian refugees

The sudden influx of Syrian refugees has rallied many individuals, groups and organizations to help where they can, above and beyond what they already do for the thousands of newcomers coming to Toronto each year.  They say it takes a village to raise a child, but we like to think that it also takes a village to raise a community, especially when we are welcoming new neighbours.

In offering many programs and services to newcomers (including refugees), we’re proud to have forged connections with many agencies and organizations to work together to improve the life situations of our newest neighbours:

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Our Client Support Services program, which assists government-sponsored refugees (GARs), works with the following organizations to ease their settlement in Canada:

• COSTI Immigrant Services (Toronto)


• Reception House Waterloo Region (Kitchener)


• Cross Cultural Learner Centre (London)


• Catholic Centre for Immigrants (Ottawa)


• Multicultural Council of Windsor/Essex County (Windsor)


• Wesley Urban Ministries (Hamilton)

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We also have an extensive network of agencies that work with our Newcomer Services to serve the many needs of refugees once they have arrived in Canada:

• Lifeline Syria


• City of Toronto Newcomer Office


• The Arab Community Centre of Toronto


• Office for Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT)


• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

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Toronto needs your help in building the village, wherever and however you can. Here are a few organizations you can contact to help:

• Furniture Bank


• New Circles


• Matthew House


• FJC Refugee Centre


• Christie Street Refugee Centre


• The Lighthouse


• Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto


• WoodGreen Community Services


• Romero House


• SojurnHouse


• YouthLink