Parya for everyone!

Payra’s programs are designed for all ages. Through our multi-language initiatives and activities, our members gain the confidence to build skills while building life-long friendships.

To learn more about any of our programs, please call (905) 764-0202 ext. 108

Seniors programs

Parya was founded to help senior members of our community maintain their independence and stay active as they age. 

Every Friday, seniors across the GTA enjoy a day at Parya dedicated to activities and discussions geared toward their personal interests. Everyone enjoys a warm lunch cooked from our kitchen while sharing life experiences with friends, new and old. 

Once a month, Payra hosts a Seniors’ Bazaar where participants have the opportunity to sell their crafts and homemade food.

Learning programs

Payra’s educational seminars, workshops and courses provide unique learning opportunities for newcomers, seniors, and youth. This includes:

  • Homework Club

  • Math Tutoring

  • English tutoring

  • Drawing & painting 

  • Music 

  • Computer classes

  • Arts & crafts 

  • English as a Second Language classes (ESL)

  • Career services information sessions 

  • Educational information organized by the York Region District School Board

  • Leadership seminars (including seminars specifically for women)

  • Job search skills

  • Skills for Change workshops for tradespersons 

  • Settlement services and workshops

Career and mentoring services

Parya’s career counsellors can support you with resume writing, interview preparation, and presentation skills. They also help navigate employment sites related to your field of interest and can connect you to employment centers, job fairs and potential employers.

Scholarships

Since 2018, the Parya Foundation Scholarship has supported Iranian students studying at a publicly funded Canadian post-secondary institution who have demonstrated academic success and/or require financial assistance.

Youth programs

Parya’s youth programming provides education, training and mentorship to help shape younger generations. Programs include tutoring, mental health counselling, resume writing, and interview prep.

Youth can also fulfill volunteering requirements based on their area of interest: cooking classes, field trips, sports and recreation.

Mental health supports

Parya provides one-on-one counselling sessions for all ages in their preferred language, with members entitled to 5 sessions free. Whether you feel depressed, lonely, isolated, neglected, abused, lost your job or grieving a loved one, you’re never alone. 

Our counsellors have volunteered with us for many years:

Majid Kaveh, youth and addiction services in Farsi and English 

Farideh Jalaeifar, family and individual therapist in Farsi, English and Spanish

Shahrzad Shariari, Family counselling in English and Farsi

Depending on your needs, we can also refer you to appropriate resources. 

Settlement services

Payra’s one-on-one settlement programs assist newcomers to Canada in completing Permanent Residency applications, work permits, citizenship and immigration processes, work permit, work permit extensions, AOSP and ODSP.

Housing

Parya has partnered with the Housing Help Centre, which specializes in housing-related issues and concerns for tenants and landlords.

If you’re struggling to afford appropriate housing, our team can help refer you to the housing help centre for subsidized housing, rebates for utilities and sourcing furniture.

If you’re in crisis, please contact a local shelter.

Taxation services

Parya has partnered with the Canada Revenue Agency to provide a free tax clinic where eligible people can complete their tax returns free of charge.

Commission of Oath Services

If you need to sign legal documents or provide an affidavit and need a notarized witness, Parya can arrange Commission of Oath Services.