The Foreign Worker program provides support and guidance to newcomers who are eligible to work in Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker and Post-Graduation Work Permits, along with International Mobility programs. Supports provided include information on accessing work permits, pathways to permanent residence, social support referrals and more! You are eligible for the program if you're in the Wood Buffalo region and have:

• Restricted or Closed Work Permits
• Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWP)
• USMCA/IEC Work Visas
• Open Work Permits
• On Tourist Visa (Former TFWs)

Questions?

If you have questions about the Foreign Worker Program (FWP), contact us at fwp@northernalberta.ymca.ca.

Are you a permanent resident, convention refugee or caregiver in the Wood Buffalo region? We're here to help! Services offered by this program include:

• Needs assessment
• Information and orientation
• Supportive counselling
• Newcomers outreach workshops
• Interpretation and translation
• Commissioner for Oaths
• English conversation circle
• Immigrant women’s wellness group
• Referrals to other support agencies

Services and resources are available to:

• Permanent residents of Canada
• Convention refugees
• Caregivers

Please bring one of the following to receive service:

• Permanent Resident Card
• Landing paper and photo ID
• Work permit
• Letter of Acceptance as Convention refugee
   

Questions?

If you have questions about Immigrant Settlement Services, contact us at newcomers@northernalberta.ymca.ca.

The Wood Buffalo Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) is a network of organizations committed to working together to enhance the lives of newcomers in the region. Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), LIP is focused on developing strategies for strengthening the participation, belonging and inclusion of newcomers through:

• Stakeholder engagement
• Strategic planning
• Coordination of services that support immigrant settlement and integration

There are many support groups in this regional partnership, including:

• Newcomer Interagency Network (NIN) is a group of organizations and employers in Wood Buffalo working to enhance the lives of newcomers to the community.
   
• NIN Steering Committee is a committee that guides the direction of the NIN through strategic planning based on feedback from members, working groups, research and the Immigrant Advisory Table.
   
• Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT) is a diverse collective of immigrants convened to inform current and future strategic directions related to immigration outcomes for Wood Buffalo.
   
• Working groups that focus on implementing specific action plans that support the overall strategic goals of the Wood Buffalo Local Immigration Partnership.

Learn more about this program and Newcomer Interagency Network at newcomers-ymm.ca.

Learn more

Questions?

If you have questions about the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP), contact us at punnya.selvaraj@ymcanab.ca.

Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program is an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada funded program, delivered by the YMCA of Northern Alberta in partnership with the Fort McMurray Catholic and Public School Boards. The program provides newcomer students from kindergarten to grade 12 and their families with:

• Needs assessments and referrals to other support agencies
• One-on-one and group information orientation sessions to help with their successful integration into the Canadian education system
• Workshops to help connect families to services and resources in the schools and the community
• Community connections including after school academic support
• Targeted matching with settled immigrants or long-time citizens
• Facilitated communication between home and school
• Advocacy

Other services offered by the YMCA include:

• Translation and interpretation
• Supportive counselling
• Commissioner for oaths
• Legal clinic referrals
• English conversation circle
• Immigrant women’s wellness group

Questions?

If you have questions about the Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program, contact us at swiswb@ymcanab.ca.

The Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) is an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada funded program, delivered by YMCA of Northern Alberta. This program assists newly arrived Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) with their initial resettlement process. RAP provides support and essential services for the immediate needs of refugees destined to the Wood Buffalo region, and transferees during their first 6 weeks of arrival in Canada.

Support includes:

• Meeting newcomers at their final destination in Canada
• Providing temporary accommodation
• Providing a basic orientation to Canada, financial orientation and life skills training
• Connecting newcomers to secure, permanent accommodation
• Providing referrals and community connections

This program only takes GARs who are destined to Fort McMurray by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, so we can't take referrals from the community. If you want to learn more about this program, you can contact us at 780-791-1115.

Settlement Case Management is an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada funded program, delivered by YMCA of Northern Alberta. Case Management is a client-centred, comprehensive approach for newcomers facing persistent, multiple barriers to integration.

Case Management includes:

• Completing assessments
• Teaching Adapting to Life in Canada life skills
• Providing referrals and community connections
• Accompanying clients to appointments, meetings or activities to help them navigate systems and provide support
• Providing translation and interpretation services
• Offering transportation support
• Providing short-term counselling

Newcomers are eligible to access enhanced settlement if they meet the following criteria:

• Immigrant Albertans who are Permanent Residents of Canada
• Refugees under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act with Convention Refugee Status (and have been issued a "Notice of Decision")

If you are interested in this program or are looking for help, please contact us at 780-791-1115.

Bridge to Work: A free career program for internationally trained teachers seeking employment in child care. This 16-week program begins with two weeks of workplace preparation training, which includes First Aid and CPR Level C certification. After completing the training, participants gain hands-on work experience through a 16-week placement in a licensed child care setting. 

Our Services Include:

• Intake and eligibility assessment 
• Training and resources to explore a career in child care
• Employment support during and after the program

Who is Eligible for the Bridge to Work Program?

• Permanent Residents of Canada
• Convention Refugees
• Individuals whose Permanent Resident application has been approved in principle
• Foreign domestic workers admitted under the Live-In Caregiver program
• Individuals with a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 6 or higher
• Internationally trained individuals with experience teaching or working in a child care setting

Fill out our YMCA Bridge to Work Self-Referral form to get started!

Complete the Self-Referral Form

HIPPY – Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters supports parents of 3-, 4- or 5-year-old children in becoming their child’s first and most important teacher. Our free, home-based program helps families prepare their children for a successful transition to school.

How it Works

Each week, parents meet with a trained Home Visitor who models that week’s activities through role-play. Parents then spend 15–20 minutes a day at home completing fun, structured lessons with their child. Activities include reading stories, practicing letters and numbers, developing fine motor skills and building problem-solving abilities.

All materials are provided — including books and supplies — at no cost to families.

Program Benefits

• Children develop confidence and independence
• Strong early literacy and numeracy foundation
• Improved attention and listening skills
• Parents gain leadership and communication skills
• Families build supportive community connections

Why HIPPY?

Starting school is a big step — for both children and parents. HIPPY helps make that transition smoother and more confident.

Through structured weekly activities, storybooks, and role-play learning, parents are guided step-by-step to teach their child foundational literacy, numeracy, and social skills. No teaching experience is required — just a commitment to spending quality learning time with your child.

Who is Eligible?

• Permanent Residents

What makes HIPPY Unique?

• Parents are the teachers.
• Fun, easy-to-follow activities
• Weekly support from trained Home Visitors
• Group meetings to connect with other families – Just once a month
• Builds school readiness and parent confidence

Questions?

For more information, contact our team

• Wood Buffalo: 587-644-4211 or hippy@ymcanab.ca.

HIPPY is an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)-funded program, designed by Mother’s Matters Canada and delivered by the YMCA of Northern Alberta.