Immigration has helped make Canada a culturally rich, prosperous and progressive nation. This is why at Parya, embracing our Canadian heritage is very important to us, and why we pride ourselves in providing our newcomers with informative programs to help them learn about their new home and in becoming active citizens of this country.
Our services are aimed at determining the needs of Persian-speaking newcomers and those of other ethnicities in order to educate them on the settlement services available to them. Settlement services are geared to help individuals and families integrate and overcome the challenges they face as newcomers in Canada. We provide information and referrals to facilitate access to these essential services.
As a community centre the various social events, recreational programs, networking and workshops we operate help Persian-speaking newcomers and other newcomer communities to make friends, build social and professional connections and learn about employment, health, education or culturally sensitive issues they may face in Canada.
We make sure every member of the community feels like they belong to a large and welcoming support network, so that they can quickly feel at home and succeed in Canada.
Our services are offered both in English and Persian.
Information & Referral Services
NEW TO CANADA? There are many free government and community services available to you.
We can help you access these social services:
- Information and Referral Services on: Community Resources, Education, Employment, Language Assessment, Health Care, Child Care, Youth and Senior Needs, Housing, Finance and Banking.
- Newcomer seminars and workshops.
- Assistance arranging appointments with government and community agencies.
- Unofficial translation and help reading government letters and documents.
These services are free for newcomers who are permanent residents, convention refugees or live-in caregivers.
Other Newcomer programs & services
Immigration has helped make Canada a culturally rich, prosperous and progressive nation. At Parya, embracing our Canadian heritage is very important to us, and why we pride ourselves in providing our members with fun and informative programs to help them socialize, learn about their new home and become active engaged citizens of this country.
- ESL classes (in partnership with York Catholic District School Board)
- Computer classes
- Orientation and information sessions about various aspects of living in Ontario
- Use of our resource library, computers, Internet, fax, and photocopier
- Information on the rights & responsibilities of individuals living in Canada
- Volunteer opportunities to gain Canadian work experience
- English Conversation Partnering Program
- After-school youth tutoring and mentoring programs
- After-school children’s programs: reading circle, arts & crafts and more
- Art, music and dance programs*
- Senior’s indoor and outdoor social activities*
- Indoor and outdoor sporting activities for all ages*
- Games nights: backgammon, bridge, cards, chess and more*
- Monthly community movie nights suitable for the entire family*
- Social events and cultural festivals*
* Note: for some programs a small fee may apply. Please enquire for more information.
Often, newcomers to the Greater Toronto Area are at a disadvantage. They do not have family or friends to act as a support system or to refer them to the myriad of services, which various government agencies have to offer. Parya hopes to act as an additional social safety net for newcomers and to provide them with services that are crucial to make their entry into Canadian society as easy as possible.