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/
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
Who: Open to all persons
Addresses and Phone Numbers:
71 Rebecca Street, Hamilton, ON L8R 1B6, 905-522-3233
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/