RAP welcomes, on average, 150 to 250 refugees to Saskatoon each year from all over the world. Refugees are welcomed at the airport and settled into temporary accommodation tailored to their family size within the first 14 to 21 days of their arrival. RAP staff work closely with newcomers arriving in Canada to meet their basic needs, including:
• Pre-arrival services
• Airport reception and temporary accommodation
• Client initial assessment and exit assessment
• Financial orientation with rights and responsibilities
• Finding permanent accommodation
• Shopping for necessities
• Orientation to community services
• Accessing medical services
• Referrals to language training
• Referrals to Case Management Assessment and Case management Triage
The goal is to build friendships and a supportive learning environment over the course of six (6) weeks during lunch hours at selected elementary schools. The School Buddy Program matches new immigrant and refugee children with host Canadian children to facilitate their integration into Saskatoon. Facilitators lead the group through activities designed to foster cultural understanding between the students while also having fun and developing new or existing friendships within the group. The program takes place throughout the year, following the school academic calendar.
For more information, please contact youth@sods.sk.ca.
Seniors interact with other seniors, practice their English and learn about the culture and community through activities such as learning about new technologies, quilting, qigong, outings for bowling and bingo and other field trips.
Learn best practices for delivering exceptional service and creating memorable experiences for clients and customers. This program also enhances your employability by preparing you for success in customer-focused roles across various industries.
Must become a client with the Employment Services Unit (register below) or speak to your current ESU counsellor.
You’ll learn practical sewing techniques, understand fabric selection, and explore simple design principles to elevate your creations. This workshop helps you build confidence, develop your own style, and take your first steps toward a fashion-focused business.
The SSWIS Summer Camps are designed for newcomer immigrant and refugee children from low-income families, ages 6 to 10. The camps provide a mix of educational and recreational activities to engage children and support their learning and development during the summer break.
Step Forward is a classroom-based employment training program designed for individuals with lower English language proficiency. The program focuses on developing essential life and employability skills, helping participants effectively integrate into the Canadian workplace.
Classes are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Requirements:
Provides summer programming for newcomer youth. The program is designed for youth ages 10-18 and is a combination of pre-registered events and drop-in programs that occur over the course of July and August. The program is flexible to accommodate participant needs.
The Prairie Community Services for Temporary Foreign Workers (PCS TFW) Program at Saskatoon Open Door Society (SODS) is specifically designed to provide tailored support to TFWs in Saskatoon and surrounding areas. Our program helps TFWs understand their rights, access essential services, and successfully integrate into their communities. We are committed to ensuring that TFWs have the necessary resources for their well-being, safety, and long-term success in Canada.
The PCS TFW Program is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and led by the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS). Through collaboration with local organizations, government agencies, and community partners, the program offers comprehensive support to TFWs. To learn more, visit tfwhub.ca.
Services include:
• Individualized Support – One-on-one counselling and direct assistance for TFWs navigating challenges related to employment, settlement, and daily life.
• Workshops & Information Sessions – Online and in-person sessions covering workplace rights and responsibilities, health and safety regulations, and accessing government services.
• Access to Benefits – Assistance with applications for benefits such as the GST/HST credit, Child Tax Benefit, EI and other financial support.
• Essential Documentation Support – Guidance on obtaining health cards, Social Insurance Numbers (SIN), driver’s licenses, and other necessary documents.
• Employment & Language Training – Connections to job training programs and English language classes to improve employability and integration.
• Referrals & Community Connections – Support in accessing healthcare, housing, legal aid, and other essential community services.
• Translation & Interpretation Services – Translation of important documents into English and interpretation in multiple languages for better accessibility and understanding.
• Emergency Support & Advocacy – Crisis intervention for cases of workplace abuse, wage theft, unsafe working conditions, and other urgent concerns.
We offer volunteer placements outside of SODS for newcomers with a minimum CLB 5, in partnership with professional sectors.
• Commitment: A minimum of three months, including regular shifts
• Additional Requirements: May require an interview and/or training with the host organization
Volunteers, both newcomers and non-newcomers, are recruited, screened, trained, and monitored by Volunteer Connections staff. This process includes Volunteer Information Sessions, which not only recruit and prepare volunteers but also provide the Saskatoon public with information about immigration and the work of Saskatoon Open Door Society. Once accepted, volunteers are placed in various programs.
We provide various training opportunities for our volunteers. After completing four short training courses of their choice, volunteers can obtain a certificate in “Building Inclusive Communities through Volunteerism.” Our training topics include Understanding Refugee Experiences, Culture Shock, Cross-Cultural Communication, Setting Boundaries, Mental Health, Indigenous Culture, Working with Vulnerable Populations. We host an Annual Volunteer Fair, where over 20 community organizations share their volunteer opportunities with the public. Additionally, a Community Volunteer Appreciation Event is held annually during National Volunteer Week to celebrate and recognize volunteers.
A place for talented immigrant women to come together and develop their skills under the guidance of business professionals. This 12-month program includes a combination of in-class training and hands-on development for your business.
Please visit the Women’s Business Hub for more information.
We focus on the positive development of future goals and exploring women’s potential.
Small groups of women are encouraged to experience nature, improve their physical and mental health, and to foster communication, thinking and social skills through gardening and planting seasonal plants. Careful cultivation and plantation of a small patch of earth not only holds therapeutic significance but is also a source of immense pleasure and enjoyment.
Mothers are welcome to bring their children along and work together to harvest their produce.
We provide information that focuses on participants’ needs and interests such as settlement, employment, safety and coping with stress. Speakers often present on various topics about Canadian laws and expectations for new Canadians. Participants receive support and guidance on personal issues, such as family, parenting, and health concerns.
Childcare and interpreters are provided as needed.
Newcomer women receive information about community-based activities and the importance of physical and emotional well-being.
These workshops seek to enhance understanding between newcomer and Indigenous youth and promote cultural understanding within their communities. They teach participants how to create digital media productions through scripting, filming and editing and are intended to engage youth on cultural, relational, social and personal levels.
To be announced. More information will be available in June.
Newcomer youth of legal working age are connected with employers who understand their unique educational and employment needs. Presented at various high schools in Saskatoon.
Assists immigrant and refugee high school students to learn about legal working age in Saskatchewan and to become job ready for the Canadian labor market. Participants develop skills in the areas of job search, resume building, interviewing, and learn about the job application process. Students gain the confidence required to participate effectively in the labour market. Additionally, participants can enjoy opportunities to connect with local employers through job fairs and employer networking events. Ongoing follow-up support is provided for successful employment and planning for future education and training.
Requirements:
The Youth Empowerment Workshop (YEW) series offers a range of artistic and practical skill-building sessions to address service gaps in programming for refugee and immigrant youth. The YEW sessions aim to enhance cultural understanding, foster positive relationships, and empower youth with essential skills for integration with a long list of arts and culture activities involving cooking, woodworking, spoken word, dancing, music, literary, media and visual arts, and many more.
This program funded by City of Saskatoon- Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant is delivered in partnership with the Saskatoon School Boards, CNYC, White Buffalo Youth Lodge, CHEP, Saskatoon YMCA and many others.
The Youth Hosting Youth program connects immigrant youths with their Canadian peers or with immigrant youths who have lived in Canada for at least three years and have a solid knowledge and understanding of Canadian society. The program features lunch-hour socials along with in-class workshops that promote interaction and discussions. The focus of these sessions is to address concerns that youth experience in their academic, social, and personal lives. The program take place throughout the year, following the school academic calendar.
Welcome to the Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) — a program dedicated to bringing together newcomer and Canadian youth aged 12–24 to foster leadership skills and civic engagement. Our initiative provides opportunities for youth to explore various areas of community engagement, guiding them toward becoming future leaders who can drive positive change in their communities.
Youth Leadership Initiative is funded in part by Canada Service Corps and in part by Scotiabank, a national movement that empowers youth aged 12–24 to gain experience and build important skills while giving back to their community. Learn more about Canada Service Corps at Canada.ca/CanadaServiceCorps.
What is the Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI)?
At YLI, we believe that community engagement is essential for youth to develop a sense of responsibility and ownership toward their communities. The program includes:
– Volunteer activities that provide valuable experience, networking opportunities, and skill-building.
– Leadership training, public speaking workshops, and team-building exercises to equip youth with the tools needed to become effective leaders.
– Youth-led Passion Projects, which offer real-life experience in fostering and championing change.
Participants will work on their Passion Projects and present their experiences and findings at the next Youth Summit in 2026.
Our program encourages youth to take ownership of their development and step into leadership roles within their communities. Through educational workshops and site visits, participants gain hands-on experience and exposure to various community organizations and initiatives.
YLI helps youth:
– Identify community needs
– Develop and execute impactful projects
– Collaborate in team environments
We encourage youth to step outside their comfort zones and explore different avenues of civic engagement. At YLI, we are committed to creating an environment that supports both personal and professional growth, empowering youth to reach their full potential as community leaders.
For more information, please contact youth@sods.sk.ca.