Resources during COVID-19
School Boards
1) Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
- TDSB Home
- New to Canada? – Welcoming Communities Program (operating in-person for the 2022-2023 school year)
- TDSB Interpretation and Translation Services
- “Join the Conversation” Webinar Series 2022 for TDSB Families
2) Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB)
- TCDSB Home
- See What’s New
- Admissions and Registration
- Indigenous Programs
- Health and Safety/ Mental Wellness Resources
- Orientation Centre for Newcomers (reopening August 15)
- TCDSB International Education Program
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
- Caring for a Child who is Self-Isolating or Has COVID-19
- Back to School Confirmation Form (for children who have had COVID-19)
- How to Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms
- COVID-19 Vaccines
- Ontario Ministry of Education
- health and safety measures at school
- Self-screening resources
Programs and Resources for Supporting Education
Children
- Girls Programs – Math, Reading, French and other subjects (Jean Augustine) (In-person and virtual Summer programming; afterschool programming)
- “Street Level Youth Space” (LAMP CHC) for Youth aged 10-19.. (Tween and Teen Afterschool Hours starting September)
- Boys and Girls Club (BGC)- After-school programs for children (Albion Neighbourhood Services) Call 416-740-3704 (Registering for 2022-2023 afterschool activities!)
- Children’s Book Bank
- Mentorship program for newcomer students in TDSB schools (In-person programming for the 2022-2023 school year)
- 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:
- Afterschool Recreation Care (ARC) (Registration open for the 2022-2023 school year!)
- Free and Lower-Cost Rec Options
Youth
- Uprooted U Academic Skills Building (FCJ Refugee Centre) – New sessions start in September 2022
- Humber’s Youth Transition Program – August 29 Cohort
- Newcomer Youth Green Economy Project – Autumn 2022 Cohort – Toronto and Region Conservation Authority -For newcomer Youth 18 – 29 years interested in a career in the environmental sector
- Upgrading Program for Youth ages 19 – 29 – Frontier College
- Homework Help for Newcomer Youth (ages 13 – 16): jwang@woodgreen.org or 647 271 5325
- TDSB Centre of Excellence in Black Student Achievement
- Mentorship program for newcomer students in TDSB schools (in-person programming for the 2022-2023 school year)
- Homework help, Animation Skills, Youth Leadership – Arab Community Centre of Toronto
- Youth Programs – Lamp CHC
- Community Leadership After-School Program + Locations – Enhancing life skills for youth 10 – 15 years (final tab on the page)
- Free Upgrading Program for Youth (includes GED prep)- Frontier College
- Pumped for Post-Secondary program – Grades 9 – 11 mentored by Post-Secondary Students
- Youth Network – FCJ Refugee Centre
- Pathways to Education Rexdale (Rexdale CHC) – For eligible Grade 8 and High School students to help them to complete high school -Tutoring, mentoring, financial and social supports
- Studyonline.ca – Resources and Online Courses from Ont. Post-Secondary Institutions
- Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto District
Families
- Special Education in Ontario Guide
- Education Support Guide for Newcomer Families and Young Learners (now Updated!)
- Children’s Book Bank
- Toronto Public Libraries – KidSpace
- Toronto Public Libraries – Homepage
- EarlyON Child and Family Centres
- Mothercraft virtual programs – pre-recorded sessions and event calendar
- YMCA Newcomer Information Centre Online Services
International Students
- COVID-19 and International Students (Gov’t of Canada)
- http://www.internationalstudentconnect.org/ -Helping international students with pre-arrival, settlement needs and transition to PR
- Work in Canada After you Graduate
Adults
- College Boreal – Adult education programs in French
- Free English reading, writing, math and computer classes in Toronto for adults (TDSB -ESU)
- Literacy and Basic Skills Programs for Adults – Frontier College
- ptp Adult Learning – Upcoming Programs
- Literacy and Basic Skills for Adults (LAMP CHC)
- Basic Skills Classes (Labour Education Centre)
- Adult Literacy and Academic Upgrading – Parkdale Project Read
- Programs for Accessing Post-Secondary Education
- GED Prep and FAQ’s – Amadeusz is offering free online lessons and support to incarcerated youth
Digital Literacy
- Technology Resources List – List of agencies offering digital literacy training, lower cost devices and internet
- Humber College Digital Fluency for the Workplace program – Register for the 2022 Program waitlist
- Supporting newcomers and youth (19 – 29 years)
- Canada Learning Code – Free computer science workshops for kids, teens, girls, women, teachers
- Topics include: Webmaking; Coding; VR; UX Design and more
- Basic Computer Skills Classes (Labour Education Centre)
- GCF Global – Free Online Tech Learning includes MS Office, Email, Internet, Computer Basics, Online Safety etc)
- Seniors Tech Help (Toronto Public Library)
- Digital Skills Training for Seniors – TechServeTO
- Free 1:1 training available for all computer/ digital needs
- Programs and Training for Immigrant Women (COSTI)
- Digital Literacy Support Package for Newcomers Using Mobile Phones
- ABC Life Literacy Canada – Online lesson plans focusing on technology that will help adult learners get and stay connected:
- 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
Access to Devices and WiFi
- Connected for Success Program – Internet program expanding to new customers who receive income support
- Financial Support for Low-income families to access the Internet (Connecting Families Initiative)
- The RCTech OUTREACH program provides low income individuals with affordable computer packages
- reBoot Canada provides devices for those receiving income assistance; see also Children’s Program
- Computer Access at Toronto Public Library Branches – See Reserve a Computer/ Computer Services
- Access to Tech for OW Clients under 30 or 45+
Supports for Learning at Home
- Ontario Ministry of Education Learn at Home
- K – 12 learning resources
- Resources for parents and guardians
- Resources in French available
- TDSB Virtual Library Online Resources
- Frontier College Online Resources
- K – 12: Reading and Writing; Numeracy and Science Activities; Tips for Helping with Homework; Reading with Children; And more…
- Adult ESL, Literacy and Numeracy
- Learners with Exceptionalities
- Educational Videos for Preschool – Grade 12:
- Autism Ontario – Help to Get us Through COVID-19
- Special Education Resources for Families – TDSB
- Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario: LD@Home
- Toronto Public Library:
- 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: 211 Central (Go to “Newcomers”)
Supports for Mental Health
- Help School-Aged Children/ Youth Manage Emotions – Recorded Webinar
- Mental Health and Well-Being Resources – TDSB
- TDSB Virtual Drop-In for Professional Support for Mental Health
- Mental Health Resources during COVID-19 for Families – TCDSB
- Parents and Families – Return to School
- Back to School Mental Health Kit For Families
- Hong Fook Youth and Family Service – See “Regular Programs” section:
- Mental Health and Well-Being Supports for South Asian Community
- 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 to get connected to one of seven primary mental health service partners for direct phone support.
- Online: Visit http://www.211toronto.ca/ or COVID-19: Mental Health Resources – City of Toronto
- Togetherall (formerly Big White Wall) – Safe Support community + Self-guided Support and Resources
- Bounce Back (Life skills program for youth and adults)
- Online Peer Support Group for Newcomers – Email: Settlement@mosaicbc.org to receive email invitation
Financial Supports
- Questions about CERB audits? – Support for Staff or Clients at:
- Financial Empowerment intake: fe@woodgreen.org or 416-645-6000 ext. 1330
- Gov’t of Canada Student Financial Assistance Program
- Gov’t of Canada Student Aid/ Education Planning
- National Student Loans Service Centre NSLSC)
- COVID-19 Benefits and Services
- More on COVID-19: Income Support (City of Toronto webpage)
- COVID Tool for Community Workers – For supporting clients with Income Benefits, Housing and Employment
- Info about Increased Access to EI and Recovery Benefits (Gov’t of Canada)
- Canada COVID-19 Economic Response Plan – For individuals (including students), businesses etc.
- Temporary COVID-19 Isolation Emergency Support Fund
- OSAP: Ontario Student Assistance Program
- Canada Learning Bond
- Micro-funds to women to access education https://www.wisewomenways.net/
- Foreign Credential Recognition Loan Program -ACCESS Community Capital Fund
- Help to Pay for Education After High School: Scholarships, Awards, Grants etc.
General Resources for Newcomers
- Immigration and Citizenship Canada – Gov’t of Canada website
- Use ArriveCAN (Gov’t of Canada) to enter Canada
- COVID-19: Visitors, Foreign Workers and International Students (Gov’t of Canada)
- 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.