Resources during COVID-19
School Boards
1) Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
- TSDB Home
- Virtual School
- In-Person School
- COVID-19 Advisories
- Updates and News
- TDSB Interpretation and Translation Services
- TDSB Interpreters are available – can join online classrooms to support students and/ or work with families
- Daily Health Screening
- Q & A: Newcomer Families and TDSB Supports (Sept 2, 2020)
- ESL/ ELD Supports (brochure in multiple languages)
- SWIS and Welcoming Communities Programs
- After School Programs
- Transportation
- Guidelines for Virtual Learning
- Webinar Series about Reopening of TDSB Schools – For TDSB Families
2) Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB)
- TCDSB Home
- Upcoming Events
- COVID-19 Advisory
- Latest Updates for Parents and Students and FAQ
- Resources for Parents and Students
- Health and Safety
- COVID-19 Checklist and Screening (in multiple languages)
- Reopening Action Plan 2020
- Orientation Centre for Newcomers
3) Conseil Scolaire Viamonde (French-Language Public School Board)
4) CSC MonAvenir (French-Language Catholic School Board)
More Information About School during COVID
- School Information for Parents and Caregivers – City of Toronto/ TPH
- How to Self-Monitor if someone at School Tests Positive?
- What to do if your Child has COVID-19 Symptoms?
- Know when to Self-Monitor, Self-Isolate or Send your Child to School
- Ontario Ministry of Education
- Elementary and Secondary – What to Expect
- Child Care Centres
- How Students and Staff will be Protected
- Info for Parents in Multiple Languages
Programs and Resources for Supporting Education
Children
- Boys and Girls Club – Albion Neighbourhood Services
- Scarborough East After School Program for Ages 8 – 13
- Tues – Thurs via zoom, 4:30 – 6:00 pm
- Tween Talk, Ages 10 – 13, Mondays via zoom: 4:30 – 5:30 pm (LAMP CHC); Ask about Girls Night Wednesdays!
- Children’s Programs and Activities – City of Toronto web page
- Licensed Child Care Locator
- Before-After School Program Locator
- City of Toronto After School Care and Recreation Programs:
- Toronto4Kids – Virtual Classes (Most are private, for fee)
Youth
- Culture, Arts and Media Program (CAMP) for Grades 9 – 12: Free program for newcomer youth includes podcasting, social media, photography, communications, leadership, mentorship, post-secondary education… Drop in/ ongoing one-hour per week – Thurs. 4pm
- Tutoring for Ages 10 – 19 years– Free online via zoom, Tues and Thurs: 4:00 – 6:00 pm (LAMP CHC)
- Free Web Design Course – 14 years +, Via zoom, Tues and Thurs: 4:30 – 6:00 pm starting Nov 3 for 5 weeks
- Pumped for Post-Secondary program – Grades 9 – 11, Be mentored by Humber College Student, Starts mid-Oct
- Uprooted U Youth Program – Online classes about literature, social status, world event and politics, Fridays 2pm, Starts Oct 16 (FCJ)
- Flexible Upskilling Network (FUN) – Skills training and work experience for youth who face barriers to employment, Fall and Winter Cohorts
- Street Level Youth Space Online Programs (LAMP CHC)
- Teen Talk/ Drop In, 14 -19 years: Fridays 3:30 – 5:00 pm
- Girls Nights Wednesdays
- Youth Council
- Leader in Training
- Community Leadership After-School Program + Locations – Enhancing life skills for youth 10 – 15 years
- Youths’ Initiative and Excellence with Learning Disabilities (YIELD)
- Newcomer Youth 18 – 29 years interested in a Green Career – Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Newcomer Youth Green Economy Project
- Access to Aspire Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurial Skills – For At-Risk Youth, Starts late 2020 (Seneca College and Prosper Canada)
- For more information: James Andrews Project Leader | Enactus Seneca | jandrews14@myseneca.ca | (905) 751-4907
Families
- Hand in Hand Program – For Children 9 – 14 years and their families to support homework and family bonding
- Turtle Family Arts Program – Starts Oct 7 – Free online art and community network program for refugee/ newcomer parents and their children
- EarlyON Child and Family Centres
- Mothercraft virtual programs
- Toronto Public Libraries
- YMCA Newcomer Information Centre Online Services:
- One-on-One Live Chat providing customized settlement plan.
- Information and Referrals including Education and Training, Credential Assessment, Language Training etc.
- Webinars cover topics of Life in Canada, Study in Canada
Adults
- Free Microsoft Excel Workshop – via zoom: Tues and Thurs, Oct 27 – Dec 3 from 6:30 – 9:30 pm
- Free Microsoft Excel Workshop – via zoom: Wed and Thurs, Nov 11 – Dec 17 from 6:30 – 9:00 pm
- Free Intro to Microsoft Word Workshop – via zoom: Thurs and Fri, Nov 19 – Dec 11 from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
- Free Intro to Microsoft Word Workshop – via zoom: Tues and Thurs, Nov 10 – Dec 1 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm
- Programs for Accessing Post-Secondary Education
- TDSB – Essential Skills Upgrading
- GED Prep and FAQ’s – Amadeusz is offering free online lessons and support
- Free Online Literacy and Basic Skills Training/ e-channel
- For adults 19 years or older looking to develop their reading, writing, math, computer and other skills to get further education
- Includes programs in French
- Includes programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults
International Students
- Helping international students with settlement needs and transition to PR http://www.internationalstudentconnect.org/
- Keep.meSAFE Student Support Program – Web content and counsellor support available in Simplified Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Spanish and French. Call 1-844-451-9700 or https://keepmesafe.myissp.com/Home/
- Flexibility in post-graduation work permit rules to help international students – New Release Gov’t of Canada May 14, 2020
- Canada making major study and work visa change for fall 2020 – CIC News, May 15, 2020
Digital Literacy for Adults
- Digital Skills Training for Seniors – TechServeTO
- Digital Literacy Support for Newcomers Using Mobile Phones
- Digital and Media Literacy Training for Immigrant Women (COSTI)
- ABC Life Literacy Canada – Online lesson plans focusing on technology that will help adult learners get and stay connected:
Access to Devices and WiFi
- The RCTech OUTREACH program provides low income individuals with affordable computer packages
- Computer Access at some Toronto Public Library Branches https://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/programming/our-reopening-plan.html
- Access to Tech for OW Clients under 30 or 45+
- WIFI Access for Everyone- Shaw Communications’ Go WiFi finder: https://www.shaw.ca/internet/wifi
Supports for Learning at Home
- Ontario Ministry Learn at Home
- K – 12 learning resources
- Resources for parents and guardians
- Resources in French available
- TDSB online learning resources for K – 12
- Educational Videos for Preschool – Grade 12:
- Scholastic Learn at Home: Free Resources for School Closures
- Autism Ontario – Help to Get us Through COVID-19
- Special Education Resources for Families – TDSB
- Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario: LD@Home
- The Rick Hansen Foundation School Program: free, bilingual lesson plans to help start meaningful conversations about disability with students from K to 12.
- Toronto Public Library:
- Recreation, arts and culture activities for all ages to enjoy at home https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-protect-yourself-others/covid-19-reduce-virus-spread/covid-19-stay-play-learn-at-home/
- Colouring Pages to Help Children Learn about COVID-19
Physical Activity
- ParticipACTION Physical Activity Guidelines Ages 0 – 4
- ParticipACTION Physical Activity Guidelines Ages 5 – 17
Safety Online
Connect with a Settlement Worker
- Settlement.org
- Call 211 or visit: https://www.211toronto.ca/topic/newcomers
Supports for Mental Health
- Parents and Families – Return to School
- Back to School Mental Health Kit For Families
- Mental Health and Well-Being Resources during COVID-19 – TDSB
- Mental Health Resource Hub for Chinese Canadians and others affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub
- Phone-In Counselling for Ages 0 – 29 (no health card needed)
- Talking to children about COVID-19 and its impact – CAMH
- Crisis Resources – CAMH
- Asking for Help When Things are not Right – CAMH (Factsheet available in multiple languages)
- City of Toronto Mental Health Support Strategy:
- Call 211 for support/ get connected to one of seven primary mental health service partners for direct phone support.
- Mental health service information is also available at http://www.211toronto.ca/
- Big White Wall (online teen peer support)
- Bounce Back (Life skills program for youth and adults)
- Online Peer Support Group for Newcomers
- Everyday: 10:00 to 11:00 am; Online Platform: Zoom
- Email: Settlement@mosaicbc.org to receive email invitation.
- Share this information with newcomer clients who may be facing social isolation.
Financial Supports
- Support for Next Phase of Economy Reopening- Increased access to EI and Recovery Benefits
- CERB extended from 16 weeks to 24 weeks
- Canada COVID-19 Economic Response Plan – For individuals, families, students and recent graduates
- COVID Support for Individuals (Gov’t of Canada) – Updated and Q&A
- Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG) – For post-secondary students and recent graduates
- Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)
- COVID-19 financial assistance for newcomers, temporary residents and refugees in multiple languages
- Financial Support for Families During COVID-19 – ON Government
- National Student Loans Service Centre NSLSC)
- OSAP: Ontario Student Assistance Program
- Micro-funds to women to access education https://www.wisewomenways.net/
- Foreign Credential Recognition Loan Program -ACCES
General Resources for Newcomers
- How the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is affecting immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport services: visitors, foreign workers and students
- News/ Updates for Newcomers in Ontario: https://settlement.org/news/ontario/
- New Canadians TV – Virtual Live Chats During COVID-19
- Free Interpretation Registration Form – MCIS is enabling a toll free line for free immediate interpretation services to support Non-English or Limited English speakers affected by the COVID-19 crisis.