Office Closed until Further Notice
On Tuesday, February 16, the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph area was moved into the RED zone of Ontario's COVID-19 framework. Because of this, ISGW's office will remain closed until further notice. All in-person appointments and activities have been suspended.
Our staff will continue to work remotely five days per week to offer our services by email, phone and video chat. ISGW's workshops, conversation circles, classes, employment programs, language assessments, etc. are all available online.
Call us! 519-836-2222
Leave a message with your name and telephone number.
We will call you back within 48 hours.
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Help to File 2020 Income Tax
Immigrant Services Guelph-Wellington is proud to partner with West Willow Village Neighbourhood Group to help you complete your income tax return this coming tax season. DOWNLOAD FLYER See our partnership announcement HERE.
DECLARACIÓN DE IMPUESTOS (para individuos)
Martes, 23 de Febrero, 2021, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
¡Queremos que las declaraciones de impuestos sean más fáciles para ustedes! Presentadora: Patricia Wohleser, CPA, CA. VIEW PDF FLYER
Haga CLICK AQUÍ para registrarse. Por favor contactar a Jenny Santos a jsantos@is-gw.ca
ISGW Information Sessions - Income Tax for Newcomers
Join us online using Zoom to learn about filing income tax in Canada with a representative from Canada Revenue Agency. VIEW PDF FLYER for details.
Saturday, February 27, 10:00am - 11:30am (click date to register)
Thursday, March 4, 4:30pm - 6:00pm (click date to register)
Questions? Contact Maryam at 519-836-2222, ext. 233 or email: mkhademi@is-gw.ca
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Mental Health and Well-being for Newcomers
Did you know that one out of every two people living in Canada will experience poor mental health at some point in their life. There are many organizations and programs in our community that can help with mental wellness. Ask your settlement counsellor for information. IRCC has a YouTube channel with videos on many topics for newcomers, including mental health and well-being. CLICK HERE to watch a short video about mental health and well-being support in Canada. Taking care of your mental well-being is an important part of your overall health!
NEW! Permanent Resident Status Confirmation Portal
Travel Documents
If you don’t need a travel document urgently, wait until normal services resume to apply. Due to COVID-19, you can only get travel document services in Canada if you have a valid reason to travel urgently. For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/passport.html#travel-document
Further Restrictions on International Travel due to COVID-19
- all flights to and from Mexico and Caribbean countries suspended until April 30, 2021
- As soon as possible in the coming weeks, all air travellers arriving in Canada, with very limited exceptions, must reserve a room in a Government of Canada-approved hotel for three nights at their own cost, and take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival at their own cost.
For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/01/government-of-canada-introduces-further-restrictions-on-international-travel.html
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Due to COVID -19, SWIS workers will be working remotely by phone and email to provide day-to-day settlement support to youth and families.
Feven Gebreweldi: 226-332-0785, fGebreweldi@is-gw.ca
Stella Lim: 226-821-4454, slim@is-gw.ca
Binaya Nyaupane: 226-821-0524, bnyaupane@is-gw.ca
Nahom Tekle: 226-332-0784, ntekle@is-gw.ca
Kaileigh Wenstrup: 226-332-0790, kwenstrup@is-gw.ca
Ali Zaidi: 226-332-0783, azaidi@is-gw.ca
If you are a school principal and have newcomer families in your school who would benefit from our support, contact us! Ali Zaidi at 226-332-0783, azaidi@is-gw.ca
All local schools returned to in-person learning February 8.
Visit the Ministry of Education's Reopening Schools information page HERE. Information is available to download in multiple languages.
*NEW* Secondary school students will be required to validate that they have completed self-screening when they arrive at school.
Visit the UGDSB website for updated COVID screening and masking protocols HERE.
Ontario's school screening tool: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
The screening questions are available to download in other languages HERE.
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CALLING ALL YOUTH!
Youth Summer Jobs Workshop on Zoom
Tuesday, February 23
4:00pm - 5:30pm
Join us to learn about summer job opportunities through the Canada Summer Jobs Program (youth, aged 13 - 30). CLICK HERE to register. Questions? Contact Emma at estewartsmall@is-gw.ca
2021 Youth Leadership Program
Putting Down Roots: IS-GW Youth Community Garden, will offer youth, aged 13-24, the chance to create ISGW’s first community vegetable garden. Throughout March and April, participants will meet virtually on Zoom and participate in workshops, learning about food justice/ food insecurity and gardening skills from experts in our community. Between May and August (COVID-19 restrictions permitting), participants will meet in person to create a community garden.
In this program, participants will:
1. Plan, design and learn the skills needed to cultivate a community vegetable garden;
2. Learn research techniques and produce a survey;
3. Develop a food-share program to distribute food grown to other IS-GW clients;
4. Learn valuable leadership and teamwork skills;
5. Collaborate with other newcomer youth and make new friends;
6. Earn high school volunteer hours!
To apply, complete this application form: https://forms.gle/aR57AmQdqG7z7a3c7 by Wednesday, February 24.
Our first meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 2, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Questions? Contact Emma at: estewartsmall@is-gw.ca
Mental Wellness Workshops for Youth
presented by Al-Qazzaz Foundation for Education and Development. Participants will build a mental wellness first aid kit, get tips for healthy living, learn therapeutic recreation, share stories and ask questions. Wednesdays, 4:00pm - 5:00pm on Zoom.
Workshops in February for Tigrinya-speaking youth (To register, contact Stella: slim@is-gw.ca or call/text: 226-821-4454)
Workshops in March for Arabic-speaking youth (To register, contact Kaileigh: kwenstrup@is-gw.ca or cell / WhatsApp: 226-332-0790)
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Do You Need a Language Assessment?
To book an appointment for an online language assessment, contact Marjan at mbateni@is-gw.ca or call 519-836-2222, ext. 237. In-person appointments are not available at this time.
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Stress Management Workshop
Thursday, February 18
4:00pm - 5:00pm
This workshop aims to recognize the importance of stress management, coping strategies, maintaining positive thinking and the impacts of COVID-19 on our daily lives. VIEW PDF FLYER Workshop will be presented by Nabeel Rahman, M.A., R.S.W. To register, CLICK HERE.
Please register in advance to receive information on how to access the workshop via Zoom. Contact Malik at 519-836-2222, ext. 223 or email: mawan@is-gw.ca
ONE-ON-ONE Personal Counselling
ISGW has partnered with Nabeel Rahman, M.A., R.S.W. | www.positivethought.ca to provide free, private, virtual counselling (adult, individual counselling, short-term couples counselling and youth, individual counselling) for interested clients. Connect by phone or computer for a 50-minute appointment. Ask your settlement counsellor for more information.
Learn a bit about Nabeel Rahman, watch his YouTube video HERE
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Refugee Sponsorship Training
Thursday, February 18
10:00am - 11:00am
Join us online via GoToMeeting for an overview of the sponsorship process with Dawit Demoz from the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program. VIEW PDF FLYER To register, CLICK HERE. One-on-one appointments for form review are available from 4:00pm - 5:00pm, please contact Huria for an appointment.
Questions? Contact Huria at 519-836-2222, ext. 263 or email: htesfa@is-gw.ca
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Understanding Your Mortgage
Monday, February 22
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Join us online via Zoom for for this workshop presented by Otto Ralon from World Financial Group – Marketing Director and Sami Juneja from The Juneja Group – Mortgage agent/real estate investment. VIEW PDF FLYER To register, CLICK HERE.
Questions? Contact Jenny at 519-836-2222, ext. 259 or email: jsantos@is-gw.ca
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COVID-19 Impact and Coping Strategies
Thursday, February 25
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Join us online via Zoom for for this workshop presented by Asma Cober, Clinical Social Worker. This workshop is presented in partnership with ARCH. VIEW PDF FLYER To register, CLICK HERE.
Questions? Contact Nuhad at 519-836-2222, ext. 236 or email: nabdal@is-gw.ca
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Entendiendo su hipoteca
Lunes, 1 de Marzo de 1:00 PM a 2:30 PM
Presentadores:
• Otto Ralon de World Financial Group – Director de Marketing
• Sami Juneja de The Juneja Group – Agente hipotecario/inversión real del estado
VIEW PDF FLYER Haga CLICK AQUÍ para registrarse. Por favor contactar a Jenny Santos a jsantos@is-gw.ca
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Join us online to learn valuable information about Ontario and the Guelph community! We will have special guest speakers to cover topics and programs available through the City of Guelph.
Questions? Contact Stella at 226-821-4454 or email: slim@is-gw.ca
For international students
Thursday and Friday, February 18, 19
4:30pm - 7:00pm
VIEW PDF FLYER for details.
To register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2614161875288728589
For all newcomers
Saturday, February 27
9:30am - 2:30pm
VIEW PDF FLYER for details.
To register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/76520924218970381
For women
Monday and Tuesday, March 8, 9
4:30pm - 7:00pm
VIEW PDF FLYER for details.
To register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7386636076115595533
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 Employment Readiness Program
Friday, February 26
10:30am - 12:30pm
This is an employment readiness program for newcomers interested in preparing themselves for the Canadian workplace. The program is offered online using Zoom. Participants will receive a certificate of participation. Join us! VIEW PDF FLYER for details.
Questions? Contact Mohamad at 519-836-2222, ext. 258 or email: mmohamad@is-gw.ca
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If you have questions about any of our Community Connections programs, please contact Emma at estewartsmall@is-gw.ca
Conversation Circles - special guests
We are pleased to announce that staff from the University of Guelph Arboretum will be joining two of our upcoming Conversation Circles to present 'Winter Survival'. Participants will learn about the different plant and animal species that take up residence in the Arboretum over the winter.
Click on a date below to register for the session.
Tuesday, February 23, 10:00am-11:00am
Thursday, March 4, 1:00pm - 2:00pm (with Mandarin interpretation)
Online Learning 2021
Our Online Classes have started. All classes take place using Zoom. DOWNLOAD FLYER for details about all of our classes.
NEW! Online Classes for Seniors
We are offering online classes especially for seniors to stay connected and engaged while learning something new! Our lineup includes Beginner ESL classes, a cooking club, exercise classes and more. DOWNLOAD FLYER for details about all of our classes.
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Canada Connects 1-on-1 Program
Make a meaningful connection with people in your community through the Canada Connects 1-on-1 Program. This program matches newcomers with established community members who share similar interests. The purpose of the program is to help newcomers gain confidence communicating in English, get to know their new community better and make local connections. DOWNLOAD FLYER for details. The schedule is flexible and you can meet virtually. For more information and to get matched with a volunteer contact Sreeja at svenugopal@is-gw.ca
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Seniors' Wellbeing Check-ins
This program matches volunteers with ISGW clients over the age of 60 for a short, friendly, check-in call. There is so much our volunteers can help with during this type of phone call. Whether it is to find out if they need an interpreter for medical appointments, sign up for one of our virtual classes or simply to tell someone what movie they watched on Netflix. We are here to listen. Our aim is to match clients with volunteers who speak the same language.
Seniors' Delivery Program
This new program focuses on supporting seniors by providing a much-needed, weekly delivery of groceries and medicine.
Volunteers Needed
Visit our website for current volunteer opportunities including position descriptions and our volunteer application form. For more information about volunteering at ISGW or any of the programs above, contact Sreeja at 519-836-2222, ext. 260 or email: svenugopal@is-gw.ca
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February 16, 2021 Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph area returns to RED-Control under Ontario's COVID-19 Response Framework Read the Public Health announcement on their website: www.wdgpublichhealth.ca
What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine in Canada
information from the Government of Canada in multiple languages.
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Information from Public Health
Website: Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
WDGPH COVID-19 Call Centre
For health-related questions, including symptoms, close contacts, or travel, call 519-822-2715 ext. 7006.
Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
NEW! COVID-19 testing is now by appointment only.
400 Southgate Drive, Guelph, ON
Located near the Hanlon and Laird Road. Serviced by Guelph Transit route 16, seven days a week. Also accessible by car, parking available on site.
Hours (by appointment only)
Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and holidays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How to make an appointment (phone-in only)
Call 1-226-773-1922 from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
You be asked some screening questions then provided an appointment time the same day or next day. If the two-day capacity is reached, you will be asked to call back the next day.
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Information about COVID-19 changes. ISGW has a page dedicated to COVID-19 on our website. The page includes links to reliable, up-to-date information about what's happening in Canada, Ontario and Guelph. CLICK HERE
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