Welcoming Communities

IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

Due to COVID-19, our staff are currently offering both in-person and virtual programming for newcomer kids and youth. In-person sessions are provided in strict adherence to health and safety procedures, as directed by Toronto Public Health and TDSB.

If you have any questions, please emailwelcoming@tdsb.on.ca or call 416-393-0288

TDSB Newcomer Services - Welcoming Communities

TDSB Welcoming Communities (Newcomer Services) is a structured mentorship program for new Canadian students in TDSB elementary schools, middle schools, and secondary schools.

Working alongside our program staff, and a peer helper, newcomer students participate in a variety of group activities designed to help ease some of the transitional challenges faced when settling into Canadian culture.

Activities may include: homework clubs, English conversation circles, sports and recreational activities, table tennis lessons, a reading buddy program, steel pan drums lessons, field trips and a culturally-based culinary program.

Welcoming Communities flyer

Program Evaluation Report

Contact

If you are a newcomer student, parent or guardian, community partner, or TDSB staff interested in learning more about our program, please contact us:

Tel: 416-393-0288
welcoming@tdsb.on.ca

Testimonial from Arna

Arna came to Canada from India with her sister a year ago. Arna was a shy child who struggled to make friends in her elementary school. After participating in the Welcoming Communities program, Arna had settled into her school and wrote the following about her experience: “I learned leadership skills and confclassence. I made many new friends, learned about others, and had a fun time. This program taught me life skills which I can use in many ways at home and at school and even when I grow up.”

Testimonial from Somiah

Somiah, who participated in the Welcoming Communities Creative Writing program, wrote: “Thank you so much Ms. Charlotte and Ms.Sofia for inspiring us to write these books... I am so grateful to have you in my life and you made my dreams come true cause I always wanted to write a book. Thank you for spending hours on us. You guys brought happiness to our lives."

Testimonial from Welcoming Communities Program Staff

In the Fall of 2020, the Welcoming Communities program staff introduced a lunch-time dance club for at-risk newcomer students with poor school attendance. The hope was to entice students to remain at school for lunch and increase their likelihood of classroom attendance for the afternoon. With a parent volunteer, a guest dancer, guitar player and some costumes the club grew from three girls to more than twenty girls and boys. Staff noticed students feeling an increase connection to the school and students from who were fighting over cultural differences had become friends.

Funded by: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada