If you are a newcomer in Hamilton and are looking for supports, these organizations offer a range of services to help you settle in your new home. The list below includes brief information about organizations that offer newcomer-focused services in the city. Please contact them directly for information about specific programs and services.
Immigrants Working Centre
Settlement supports – employment services – English language classes – financial support during COVID-19
Who: Permanent residents, convention refugees/protected persons, refugee claimants (some services)
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
8 Main St. E. Unit 101, Hamilton, 905-529-5209
182 Rebecca St. Hamilton, 905-525-9676
1119 Fennell Ave. E. St. #234 & #236 Hamilton, 905-387-1100
160 Centennial Parkway N. Unit 7, Hamilton, 905-662-9160
Website: http://iwchamilton.ca/
Wesley – Newcomer Services
Resettlement and settlement supports – temporary accommodation – needs assessment and referrals – information and orientation services – community connections
Who: Government Assisted Refugees
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
52 Catharine Street, Hamilton, Ontario L8R 1J1, 905-528-5629 x 301
Website: http://www.wesley.ca/
YMCA – Immigrant Settlement Services
Information and orientation – needs asset assessment & referral services – Bridge to Work Program in Childcare Industry – language assessment and referrals – school-based settlement support – professional mentorship matches – youth mentorship matches – Canada Connects social media matches – library-based English Conversation Groups – Newcomer Youth Centres – International Student Connect services
Language assessment at YMCA is the starting point for anyone wishing to access language classes.
Who: Permanent residents and convention refugees (eligible for all services), refugee claimants, naturalized Canadian citizens, international students and temporary foreign workers (eligible for some services)
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
25 Main Street West, Suite 105, Hamilton, Ontario L8P 1H1, 905-526-8452
211 Centennial Parkway North, Unit #1, Stoney Creek, Ontario L8E 1H8, 905-662-9400
Website: https://www.ymcahbb.ca
YWCA – Immigration and Settlement Services (JOIN Program)
Employment counselling – networking – needs assessment and referrals – information – recreation – mentorship – community connections – 2SLGBTQIA+ youth support – supports for immigrant women – gender-based violence – educational, experiential and art-based workshops
Who: Permanent residents, protected person/convention refugee, a live-in caregiver with an approved work permit (Must identify as a woman, girl, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth or non-binary)
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
75 MacNab Street South, Hamilton, Ontario L8P 3C1, 905-522-9922, 365-324-0249 and 905-522-9922 ext. 335
Website: https://www.ywcahamilton.org/join/
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton-Niagara
Information and referrals for Francophone newcomers – housing help supports – job search – education and training
Who: Francophone newcomers
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
1320 Barton Est, Hamilton, ON, L8H 2W1, 905-528-0163 and 1-866-437-7606
Website: http://www.cschn.ca/
Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre
Primary care and community health programs – consumption and treatment services – cultural interpretation – immigrant and refugee support services – oral health care and chiropody- Needle Exchange- Advocacy/Information Sessions - ID. Clinic - Health Card Kiosk - Parenting Program - Anger Management Program - Arts and Crafts - Diabetes Awareness Program – Homework Club – Counselling and more
Email: connections@hucchc.com
Who: Open to all persons
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
Admin: 181 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y4 905-522-3233
CTS: 70 James St. S, Hamilton, ON L8P 2Y8
Website: http://www.hucchc.com/
Refuge: Hamilton Centre for Newcomer Health
Primary care – specialty services – mental health counselling – transition services – interpretation
Who: Open to newcomers to Canada (less than 5 years)
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
183 Hughson St., Lower Level, Hamilton, ON L8N 2B6, 905-526-000
Website: https://www.newcomerhealth.ca/
Compass Community Health
Primary care – health-related resources – mental health counselling – recreation – education supports – interpretation
Who: Open to all persons
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
438 Hughson St. North, Hamilton, ON L8L 4N5, 905-523-6611 ext 2000
Website: https://compassch.org/
Collège Boréal Hamilton – Access Centre
Bilingual employment services – French and English language training (free child-minding for some language programs) – bridging programs for internationally trained Francophone professionals – academic upgrading – pre-apprenticeship
Who: Permanent residents, convention refugees/protected persons, citizens (some services), refugee claimants (some services)
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
120 King Street West, Plaza Level, Hamilton, ON L8P 4V2, 905-544-9824
Website: https://www.collegeboreal.ca/en/our-campus/our-locations/access-centres-hamilton
Mohawk College – Free Programs for Newcomers
English language classes – support to transition to postsecondary education – workplace preparation – mentorship opportunities – bridging programs
Who: Permanent residents, convention refugees/protected persons
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
J-Wing, 135 Fennell Avenue West, Hamilton, Ontario L9C 1E5, 905-575-2421
Hamilton Public Library
English Conversation Circles online – online tutoring – seniors’ online classes
Who: All newcomers with proof of permanent residency or convention refugee/protected person status
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
Various locations and virtually during COVID-19. To register, email nlc@hpl.ca.
Website: https://www.hpl.ca/
Empowerment Squared
Mentorship – access to postsecondary education – professional skills development– entrepreneurship supports – sports and recreation
Who: Open to all newcomers and racialized individuals
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
162 King William Street, Suite 103, Hamilton, Ontario L8R 3N9, 905-393-5370
Website: https://empowermentsquared.org/
Circle of Friends for Newcomers
English language classes – information and referrals
Who: Permanent resident, convention refugees/protected persons
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
155 Queen St. N Hamilton, ON L8R 2V6, 905-531-6040
Website: https://www.circleoffriends.ca/
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses
Information and orientation – connections to community – support internationally educated nurses throughout the process of becoming a registered nurse in Canada
Who: Pre-arrival applicants with any immigration document containing Unique Client Identification (UCI) number, Permanent Residents, Citizens, Caregivers (who have applied for Permanent Residency)
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
182 Rebecca St, Hamilton, ON L8P 2Z2, 905-521-1777 ext. 302
Website: https://care4nurses.org/
Micah House
Temporary accommodation – settlement counselling – information and referrals – connections to community
Who: Refugee claimants
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
205 Holton Ave South, Hamilton, ON L8M 2B8, 905-296-4387
Website: https://www.micahhouse.ca/
Open Homes Hamilton
Temporary accommodation – settlement counselling – information and referrals – connections to community
Who: Refugee claimants
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
289-426-2612
info@openhomeshamilton.ca
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) from Canadian Language Benchmark 1 to 7 plus Literacy, beginning to advanced levels – onsite childcare, Care for Newcomer Children, for children (6 months to 5 years old) of registered learners – Canadian citizenship preparation course
Locations: Hill Park (Central Mountain) and Centennial Parkway (Stoney Creek)
City Centre (Jackson Square) has daytime LINC Literacy classes but no childcare
In-person and online classes
Day and night classes
Referrals to language assessments, settlement services, and other educational programs (academic upgrading, PLAR - Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition allowing for accelerated achievement of secondary school diploma, secondary school credit courses for adults, guidance counselling, certificate for Food Handling, short programs for Driver's Education and Computer Skills, provincially-funded ESL classes open to all adults with a first language other than English)
Who: Permanent Residents, Refugees/Protected Persons, some Temporary Residents
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
465 East 16th Street, Room 104
Hamilton, Ontario
905-561-2190, ext. 4774
Website: https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/cce/esl
Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board
English language programs for adults – Canadian citizenship preparation – computer classes – skills upgrading
Who: Permanent residents, convention refugees/protected persons, temporary residents (some services)
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
770 Main St East, Hamilton, Ontario, L8M 1L1
905-577-0555
Website: https://www.stcharles.ca/programs/linc-language-instruction-for-newcomers-to-ca…
BGC Hamilton-Halton
Boys and Girls Club of Hamilton-Halton
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Programs: English conversation circles – community connections programs – safe spaces for women.
Who: Permanent residents, convention refugees/protected persons, temporary residents (some services)
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
45 Ellis Avenue, Hamilton, ON L8H 4L8
(905) 549-2814
Website: https://www.bgchh.com/programs/equity-diversity-inclusion-programs/