The Life Skills Program is designed to equip newcomers with fundamental skills that support their integration and independence in Canada. The program focuses on practical knowledge and hands-on learning, helping individuals build confidence and navigate their new environment effectively. The primary goal is to empower newcomers to manage daily tasks independently while fostering a sense of belonging in the community.

The program begins immediately upon a newcomer’s arrival, with initial life skills training taking place at the reception suite or temporary accommodation. Training then continues after relocation to permanent housing, adapting to each individual’s needs. Life Skills Facilitators provide one-on-one and group training sessions, ensuring that newcomers can confidently navigate daily life and achieve stability in their new home. home. The Life Skills Program covers a wide range of topics that are crucial for independent living, including:

• Communication and Media – phone services, internet access, and fraud awareness
• Household Management – cleaning, food storage, recycling, and home safety
• Public Transportation – navigating the local transit system and understanding routes
• Banking and Money Management – budgeting, using debit cards, ATMs, paying bills, and recognizing financial fraud
• Shopping and Consumer Awareness – grocery shopping, understanding receipts, and making returns
• Personal Hygiene and Healthcare – Maintaining hygiene, accessing medical services, and learning about health insurance
• Safety and Emergency Preparedness – understanding 911 services, fire safety, and community resources

The Refugee and Immigrant Family Strengthening Program (RIFS) provides information and orientation in a group setting to prevent the perpetration of family or intimate partner violence (physical, psychological, emotional or sexual) in clients’ lives and provides support to families and individuals exposed to family or intimate partner violence. This program model also includes one-on-one para-counselling, advocacy, outreach and referral services. RIFS staff may also accompany clients to some off-site appointments, such as meetings with Victims Services, lawyers, court hearings, and police reports.

Eligible clients are permanent residents, both newly arrived and those in their first four years of arrival. In extraordinary circumstances, non-permanent residents or clients who have resided in Canada longer than four years may qualify for RIFS services.