Activities include: Afghan cultural activities, physical fitness, sessions on healthy aging, arts, crafts, events, and excursions.
Afghan Seniors Club
A program designed to specifically support and engage Afghan elders within the community by providing them with a safe and welcoming environment to connect, learn, and build a network of friends. Activities include: Afghan cultural activities, physical fitness, sessions on healthy aging, arts, crafts, events, and excursions.
Language improvement for refugee youth throughout the school year.
After School Refugee Language Program
This program aims to provide essential English language acquisition support for refugee youth with an English level of A1.2 or below, influencing their success in social, cultural, and community connections. This program is offered in three terms from October to June, with 10 sessions each term.
Activities designed by licensed therapists to help immigrant children and youth process feelings from past difficult experiences.
Art Therapy
This program runs in select schools based on need and referral. Activities are designed by licensed art therapists to help immigrant children and youth process feelings and experiences from past difficult circumstances and possible traumas. The goal of the program is to use the creative process to help participants explore self–expression, gain personal insight, and develop new coping skills. Delivered when funding is available. By referral only.
This program encourages parents and children to read, learn and work together on a series of fun educational activities.
Bond to Literacy
Bond to Literacy (BTL) is a family-focused early literacy program designed for children ages 2 to 5. It offers engaging, school-like activities that build foundational reading and writing skills while supporting children’s early learning. Through fun lessons that explore values, cultural awareness, and language development, children are not only prepared for formal schooling but also gain a richer understanding of their own cultural heritage. BTL creates a classroom-like atmosphere with a flexible, easy-to-follow structure that can be used both in person and at home. This approach nurtures a love for reading and strengthens family involvement in children’s learning. Through all, the goal is to help parents and children connect more deeply, building stronger relationships while supporting children’s early literacy and overall development.
A mentorship program for newcomer grade 11 & 12 students as they begin to navigate the transition from high school onwards.
Campus Companion
Campus Companion is a mentorship program for Newcomer grade 11 and grade 12 students as they begin to navigate the transition from high school onwards. High school students are paired with volunteers currently enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan, who assist them in gaining knowledge and confidence for their chosen academic path and post-secondary education. Through weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly meetings, newcomer youth and their mentors engage in activities and discussions that foster a supportive mentoring relationship. The program takes place outside of school hours, at times and locations on campus determined by the individual youth and the student volunteer.
This program supports newcomers with complex, persistent, multi-dimensional and ongoing challenges. Integrated case management (wrap around technique) helps staff and clients to identity multiple services at various agencies within the community to support families to work together towards a common goal. Crisis intervention is provided using a holistic approach where all aspects of the newcomer’s settlement and integration process are considered. Some cases may become complex, yet our group of professional staff are able to work through clients’ crises and refer them to appropriate agencies for further support if a crisis reaches beyond our mandate. Permanent residents, newly arrived within their first four years of coming to Canada, are eligible to receive assistance from our crisis counsellors. Immigrants experiencing crises who have become Canadian citizens are also supported on a case-by-case basis.
Support for immigrants and refugees in the first four years of arrival to Canada to become active members of an inclusive community.
Case Management Support Services
Our experienced counsellors, who are often newcomers themselves, understand the difficulties in adjusting to a new home and can assist with the following services in various languages, easing the settlement process:
• Case Management Assessment and Reassessment
• Case Management Triage
• Case Management Services
• Information and orientation sessions
• Referrals and support with outreach
• Linguistic and cultural interpretation
• Document preparation, translation, and notarization
• Helping families in crisis and referral to services within the community
Services are aimed at assisting newcomers with long-term challenges of adapting to a new life in Canada through comprehensive case management. Case Management counsellors determine the needs of newcomers and assist them in a timely manner. Needs assessment may be carried out several times depending on the client’s phase of settlement. The clients can be categorized as Level 1, 2 or 3.
During the summer, newcomers can make use of the City of Saskatoon’s many community gardens to grow their own food. Our program coordinators refer newcomers to a garden in their neighbourhood and give them tips on gardening in our climate.
A flexible leadership program where you can attend on occasion, or complete entire series to earn a certificate.
Community Leadership Training (CLT)
A series of seven monthly leadership workshops held from September-March. Participants can enjoy networking with other newcomers, learning from leadership experts, and connecting with local community leaders including newcomer community leaders. CLT is a flexible leadership program where you can attend on occasion, or complete four or more sessions to earn a certificate. Community facilitators provide training on topics such as
– Interpersonal Communication Skills
– Conflict as a Catalyst for Leadership Growth
– Diversity in Leadership
– Developing Your Leadership Values
– Community Leadership
– Leading with Emotional Intelligence
Develop essential computer skills to thrive in today’s digital world.
Computer Training
This training focuses on Microsoft Essentials, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, equipping you with practical knowledge to succeed in work, education, and everyday life. From mastering basic operations to effectively using these key tools, this class provides the foundation for digital success.
Learn how to craft engaging content, strengthen your online presence, and communicate your brand with confidence.
Content Creator
You’ll explore practical tools, templates, and techniques to create eye-catching posts, videos, and stories that truly connect with your audience. Whether you’re building a personal brand or promoting a business, this workshop helps you stand out with creativity and purpose.
Creative and collaborative activities that grow community connections in Saskatoon.
Creative Connections
Collective and community art projects, cooking, and community garden program. These activities are offered in partnership with local organizations such as CARFAC Saskatchewan, The Food Bank and Learning Centre, City of Saskatoon, SK Arts, CHEP, and more.
We introduce skills and perspectives that enable parents to connect with other parents, share experiences, and access community resources.
Cross-Cultural Parenting
This program offers newcomers a unique opportunity to ease their transition into a new community and culture. In a supportive group environment, participants can share their experiences, learn from one another, and better understand local resources, cultural norms, and day-to-day expectations. Further, the program guides parents in developing awareness of different parenting styles within their new environment, while also helping them understand Canadian lifestyles and the Canadian education system. Parents gain insight into how schools and daycare operate, preparing them to recognize cultural differences and respond confidently as their children adjust to these settings. Opportunities are created for parents to practice spoken English, build communication skills, and strengthen their ability to support their children and families as they settle into life in Canada.
Hands-on cultural activities and learning experiences with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers.
Cultural Activities and Field Trips
Variety of activities arranged such as beading and birchbark basket making, Indigenous foods, Storytelling circles, Blanket Exercise, cultural teachings, and ceremonies with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Indigenous community members.
Join field trips such as Wanuskewin Heritage Park, visit to a First Nation community, attend a Pow Wow, experience a Sweatlodge, and more.
Dates are announced via social media and our mailing list.
An initiative helps newcomer families adapt to Canadian culture and society.
Cultural Information Sharing
In collaboration with other Saskatoon Open Door Society programs, this initiative helps newcomer families adapt to Canadian culture and society by providing long-term support and fostering positive intercultural interactions.
For newcomer youth between the ages of 16 and 21 to participate in music, art, and community events.
Cultural Volunteering
Are you a newcomer youth between the ages of 16 and 21 who loves music, art, and community events? Join our Cultural Volunteering Program and become part of Saskatoon’s vibrant cultural scene!
As a volunteer, you’ll have the chance to support concerts, festivals, and other cultural events across the city. You’ll help with a variety of tasks such as welcoming guests, assisting event organizers, guiding attendees, and ensuring everyone enjoys a positive experience.
Through this opportunity, you’ll:
• Gain hands-on experience working directly with the public.
• Build valuable skills in communication, teamwork, and time management.
• Enhance your resume with meaningful work experience in community engagement and event coordination.
• Meet new people, explore diverse cultures, and become an active part of Saskatoon’s cultural life.
Learn how to set up, manage, and grow your online business in our practical e-commerce workshop.
E-Commerce Workshop
You’ll discover the best tools, platforms, and strategies to sell your products online with confidence. Whether you're starting from zero or improving an existing shop, this workshop gives you the skills to succeed in today’s digital marketplace.
Created specially for teachers and educators at all levels, the course aims to help educators develop a thorough awareness of global issues, cultures, and viewpoints.
Equip teachers with the information, tools, and skills to successfully incorporate global viewpoints, challenges and competencies in their instruction.
Empower educators to become agents of change and prepare students to thrive in an interconnected world.
Encourage teachers to enable their students to make positive contributions to the development of a more fair, equitable and sustainable global society.
Strategies and resources that help families express emotions and manage conflicts in a positive way.
Family Strengthening Groups
Psycho-educational group sessions for men and women to deliver resources and strategies which enables them to express emotions and manage conflicts among their family members positively without using physical and/or emotional violence.
Fast Track to Learning and Interactions for Parents
A 12-week program provides toys, materials and instruction that covers the areas of literacy, creative play, physical play and family activity.
Fast Track to Learning and Interactions for Parents
FLIP aims to assist refugee families with young children between the ages of 3-5. This 12-week program provides 12 weeks of toys, materials and instruction that covers the areas of literacy, creative play, physical play and family activity.
As part of the program, a trained “animator” delivers (in person) the content of the program which includes instruction in English, Dari, Pashto and Ukrainian. A short visit occurs with an explanation of the materials and instruction is provided to parents so they can perform the activities with their children.
This program is funded through @mothersmattercentre in Vancouver and is intended to serve refugee families.
