Many partners in Durham Region work together to build welcoming communities and to help settle immigrants and refugees in communities.
The Region of Durham works with community partners to co-ordinate settlement and other community services to best meet the needs of newcomers. Below are key settlement service providers and programs, and other helpful community services in Durham Region:
Durham Welcome Centre Immigrant Services
Welcome Centre Immigrant Services is a place for newcomers to Durham Region. You can ask questions, get information, access settlement and other services and join programs. Welcome Centre services are government-funded and free of charge. Language interpretation supports are available. These services include help with:
- Filling out forms
- Finding housing
- Common questions
- Applying for your health card
- Applying for a social insurance number
- Getting settled in Durham
- Employment
- English language classes
- Accreditation information
There are three locations in Durham Region. More information is below.
Ajax Welcome Centre
458 Fairall Street, Unit 5, Ajax ON L1S 1R6
Pickering Welcome Centre
1400 Bayly Street, Unit 5, Pickering ON L1W 3R2
Oshawa Clarington Welcome Centre
67 King Street East, Oshawa, ON L1H 1B2
Conseil des Organismes Francophones de la Région de Durham (COFRD)
The Conseil des Organismes Francophones de la Région de Durham (COFRD) offers settlement services to French-speaking newcomers to help integrate and settle into the region's Francophone community. Here you can get information on housing, education, social services and health care.
(905) 434-7676
Télec : (905) 434-7260
Courriel : dg@cofrd.org
English language classes
You can take English classes through the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board. English classes range from basic literacy to advanced English. To qualify for these classes, you must have your language skills assessed, be 18 years of age or older and either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, landed immigrant or refugee claimant. In some cases, free child supervision is available while you are in class. You may also be eligible for free transportation assistance.
Available locations:
English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are available for school-age children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. Contact a school board below to locate the school closest to your home and to find out about ESL classes for your child.
Public school boards
Catholic school boards
Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) Program
Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) is a program for newcomer families that is available in all elementary and secondary schools in Durham Region. It connects newcomer families to services and resources within the school and community.
Services include:
- Group information sessions about schools in Canada.
- Orientation with school staff.
- Assessing needs of new students.
- Newcomer orientation week (NOW) for high school (secondary) students.
- Welcome and information for newcomers (WIN) program (a one-day program for students in Grades 6 to 8).
For more information: