Newcomers Corner

Newcomers... don't stay NEW for long

Newsletter by Newcomer Information Centre

Scheduled Events--

Mississauga: Obtaining Credible Work Experience on Wednesday, February 5th at 10:00am

Brampton City South: How to Start & Finance your Business by Scotiabank on Wednesday, February 19th at 2:00pm

Malton: Tax Information Session on Tuesday, February 4th at 10:00am

Brampton East: Tenants Rights on Wednesday, February 12th at 1:00pm

Oakville: Personal Branding and Job Search on Tuesday, February 25th at 10:00am

ONTransfer.ca

The ONTransfer.ca is a service provided by the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) to connect current and prospective students to transfer opportunities.

ONTransfer's goal is to provide information and resources to help students and potential students find their way through Ontario's post secondary system. By checking out www.ontransfer.ca you will find interactive Transfer Guide and information on how to Explore Transfer Pathways. You can also get information on how to find a College or University, a Transfer Policy or a Transfer Advisor, along with other resources.

For more information please visit our centres or email: nic@tcet.com

The Duke of Edinburgh Award

Are you between the ages of 14 and 24? Are you looking for a way to get more involved in your community? To make new friends? To get physically fit? To discover an activity that excites and inspires you? To achieve your potential while exploring the great outdoors?

Are you looking for a challenge that is sure to Make a Difference in your life?

The Duke of Edinburgh Award will give you the chance to set goals and achieve results in a fun and challenging way! You can explore new activities and pursue current interests. Participants get the opportunity to interact with others their own age, experience incredible adventures you never thought possible, dream big and succeed!

Through the Award's three levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) each participant will get the chance to tackle and make great strides in the following areas:

Service: Connect with your community

Skills: Explore your potential

Adventurous Journey: Experience the outdoors

Physical Fitness: Get moving

Residential Project (Gold level): Spend five days working with others

For more information contact nicyouth@tcet.com

Redirection through Education (RTE) at George Brown College

Are you having difficulty returning to work or school, or deciding on the next step in your life due to mental health issues and/or addiction challenges?

Redirection through Education (RTE) is a supported education program for adults, 19 years and older, who are facing challenges with mental health and/or addictions issues. RTE provides students with the opportunity to assess their readiness for full-time school or work.

Students enrol in credit courses such as College English, Computer Skills, Speaking with Confidence, Contemporary Issues in Adult Development, Strategies for Student Success and Psychology of Human Relations. These can lead to eligibility and/or exemptions in post-secondary programs, depending on the grades achieved. Other non-credit courses such as Foundational Skills in English and Supervised Study Skills are also included. Students can improve their relationship skills in the Interpersonal Skills course and through work with their counsellors.

In addition, RTE students engage in vocational assessment and exploration to help determine their interests and strengths, as well as to address areas of challenge. Career Path courses focus on occupational research, job search strategies and preparation for work, including workplace accommodations and work/life balance.

While at RTE, students explore possible careers and work environments, along with their readiness to return to work, by engaging in volunteer and unpaid work placements. Through goal setting and individualized counselling, RTE helps individuals make effective and informed choices about future education, skills training, jobs and other vocational plans.

Students in this program do not pay tuition or fees. This program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

For more information please visit our centres or email: nic@tcet.com

Youth Corner

In many high schools, the second semester is almost at the halfway point which means MARCH BREAK! March Break entitles youth to one week off from school where students are given the opportunity to relax, catch up on homework, but most importantly- get their VOLUNTEER HOURS completed!

The requirements for youth to graduate High School with their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) include acquiring at least 30 credits- that means developing a serious relationship with your textbooks and lecture notes- but also, completing 40 volunteer hours by helping out in your community!

WHY SHOULD YOU VOLUNTEER?

Volunteering is an overall fulfilling experience that allows youth to engage in various projects and activities in the community to develop various skills and network with community partners. Through active participation in volunteering, youth are able to gain experience that can be transferable on their r�sum�s when seeking employment. Volunteering also provides youth with the opportunity to be recognized in their community and their school in the form of a scholarship or bursary to help lessen the burden of the tuition fees in their post-secondary journey. Most importantly, accumulating more than the required 40 volunteer hours can help tip the scales in a youth's favour when applying for a highly competitive program in post-secondary education where their commitment and dedication is well received amongst good grades, making the likelihood of acceptance greater!

For more information regarding volunteer opportunities in your community, please connect with one of our Youth Information Counsellors by calling (905) 949-0049 ext. 1290 or via e-mail at nicyouth@tcet.com


Did you know? If you do not know how to prepare your income tax and benefit return, the CVITP may be able to help you. Community organization volunteers prepare returns for eligible taxpayers who have low to modest income and a simple tax situation. For more information contact: nic@tcet.com	Join us on Facebook NEW!!! Electronic travel authorization system and other changes for travellers to Canada More immigrants would boost slumping economy, says economist BRAMPTON: Students aspiring to be firefighters eligible for $1,000 bursary	Useful Links www.ImmigrationPeel.ca www.settlement.org www.InMyLanguage.org www.NewYouth.ca www.welcometohalton.ca www.oakvillenews.org

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Feedback and Submissions

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We would like to hear from you. Please send us your feedback.

Service providers, we are happy to promote new programs and events at your agency through this newsletter.

Sincerely,
Newsletter Team
nic@tcet.com

About Us

The Newcomer Information Centre is an innovative program that provides free settlement information to newcomers and residents from a number of accessible locations across Peel and Halton.

A smooth transition into Canadian life is critical to success and our program provides accurate referrals to make this happen. Clients work with friendly multi-lingual staff and get confidential counselling about settlement, employment, health, housing, education, language training, immigration issues and more. Counsellors speak Punjabi, Spanish, Arabic, Urdu, Farsi, Mandarin, Cantonese, Romanian, Croatian, Russian, Serbian, French, German, Polish, Swahili, Tamil, Hindi, Bulgarian and Pashto.

Drop by at any of our locations to speak with a counsellor. No appointment is required.

Our locations

***Care for Newcomer Children services available at Malton and Oakville locations***

***Free Commissioner of Oaths service at all locations***

NIC Itinerant services: Locations