For Newcomers

Welcome to your new community! Idea Exchange offers many free resources, programs, and services that will help you as you build your new life. We are here to help during this time of momentous change.

Programs and Events

 

Resources and Collections

Online Resources

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From language learning supports, and courses to help you build your career, to digital reading material from across the globe in a variety of languages, our online resources offer you opportunities to learn, build skills, and stay connected from the comfort of home.

Online Resources for Newcomers >

Helpful Resources for those New to Canada

Collage of three books about learning English

ESL books, TOEFL, teacher supports, and more.

English Language Learning Materials >

Collage of three books about Canadian citizenship

Canadian history, governance and culture, and more.

Learn About Canada and Citizenship >

Collage of three books about immigrants in Canada

From individual lived stories to self-help, books that support the immigrant experience.

The Immigrant Experience >

Settlement Services

As a primary settlement agency in Cambridge, YMCA Immigrant Services acts as a “first stop” for newcomers. Through the YMCA Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP), our Settlement Workers are located within the libraries to continue to support newcomer and immigrant needs. Our Settlement Workers can provide support with citizenship, housing, education, English language assessments, connecting with community resources, and much more. Through our collaboration with Idea Exchange, together we are working to foster a smooth transition into the Cambridge Community.

Services Offered

  • Virtual settlement support to newcomers
  • Information Sessions relevant to newcomer needs in collaboration with Idea Exchange
  • LSP Staff provide orientation to Library Services and referrals

Contact Information

Sozda Hasan (she/her), LSP Settlement Worker

  • LSP service is available virtually or in-person at Idea Exchange, Clemens Mill, on Mondays and Tuesdays
  • Languages Spoken: Arabic and Kurdish
  • Contact Information: Sozda.Hasan@ytr.ymca.ca

Visit their website or social media at Facebook and Twitter for more information.

LSP services include one-on-one settlement information and referral, group information sessions, and community outreach. Newcomer settlement workers are working out of 49 public library branches in communities with high newcomer populations providing service in a variety of languages based on community needs.

The Library Settlement Partnership program is a partnership of Idea Exchange, the YMCA’s Immigrant Services Program, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

YMCA logoLSP logoFunded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada logo

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1 North Square, Cambridge, ON N1S 2K6
Phone: 519-621-0460

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