The YMCA is an entrance to many resources that will help you settle in your new community! Our programs in Wood Buffalo help immigrants and new Canadians learn or improve English and French, participate in information sessions about their new community and give settlement advice and assistance, all at no cost.
Our Programs
Career Mentorship Program
This program offers internationally trained immigrants and refugees the opportunity to connect with mentors who will help them develop networking strategies, improve their understanding of Canadian work culture, and better prepare for work in the Wood Buffalo region.
Mentors and mentees work together to set goals and decide on activities for the duration of the mentoring relationship. We ask for a commitment of approximately 15 hours for mentoring to be completed within a 3- to 6-month period. Mentors and mentees can meet in the format of their choosing, either face-to-face or virtually.
Questions?
If you wish to participate in the program, contact our team at
(780) 791-1115 Ext 2 or (587) 723-1726 | elink@northernalberta.ymca.ca
Employment Link | Liaison Emploi
YMCA Employment Link supports thousands of individuals each year in the Wood Buffalo Region with the completion of educational assessments, guidance on career pathways and access to employment services.
Services we provide
- Linking French-speaking Canadians and immigrants to employment
- One-on-one assistance with resume development, cover letters and job search strategies
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
- Labour market information
- Information and referrals
- Workshops
- Professional mentoring program
Program eligibility
- 18 years of age or older
- French-speaking Canadian citizens
- Immigrants and new Canadian citizens
- Permanent Residents
- Protected Persons who are eligible to work in Canada
Questions?
To learn more about this program,
(780) 791-1115 Ext 2 or (587) 723-1726 | elink@northernalberta.ymca.ca
YMCA Liaison Emploi aide des milliers de personnes chaque année dans la région de Wood Buffalo en effectuant des évaluations éducatives, en les orientant vers des parcours professionnels et en leur donnant accès à des services d'emploi.
Des Services pour vous aider
- Rejoindre les Canadiens francophones et les immigrants aux services d'emploi
- Rédaction de curriculum vitae, lettre de présentation et aide à la recherche d'emploi
- Service d'évaluation des qualifications Internationales (IQAS)
- Information sur le marché du travail local
- Informations et références
- Ateliers
- Programme professionnel de mentorat
Admissibilité au programme
- être âgé de 18 ans ou plus
- Citoyens Canadiens francophones
- Immigrants/nouveaux arrivants: citoyens Canadiens
- Résidents permanents
- Personnes protégées (refugies acceptes) qui ont le droit de travailler au
YMCA of Northern Alberta acknowledges the partnership of | Le YMCA du nord de l'Alberta reconnaît le partenariat de
The Government of Canada
for their resource assistance and funding support of this program. | pour les ressources de financement au programme.
Foreign Worker Program (FWP)
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.
Immigrant Settlement Services
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.
Local Immigration Partnership (LIP)
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.
Questions?
If you have questions about the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP), contact us at LIP@northernalberta.ymca.ca.
Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS)
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 newcomers@northernalberta.ymca.ca.
Employment Programs
Unemployed and underemployed individuals can learn, grow and thrive in our employment programs as we work to address some of the barriers to entering the labour market across central and northern Alberta.