COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Community Connections is about linking people to each other and to the community.  This program’s offers a variety of mentoring programs that help people who are new to the country feel empowered and confident to take on life here in Canada.

Mentoring

Mentors are people who help newcomers learn about Canadian customs and language and help people to establish their knowledge of their new community and maybe even practice their English.   Newcomer mentees are people who really want to jump start their life in Canada by being connected to local people and learn about all the amazing local assets and activities in their new community.  There are three types of mentors available:

• Professional Group Mentoring
  • Connecting internationally-trained professionals with Canadian professionals is effective in helping many newcomers overcome some of the barriers that they face as they try to enter the Canadian labour market.  Mentors can help a newcomer connect with other professionals in their field, provide critical information about their profession in Canada, and enhance the mentee’s knowledge of the Canadian workplace culture.  Group mentoring sessions are facilitated by professional volunteer mentors in the areas of:
    • Accounting, Banking and Finance
    • Human Resources
    • IT and Teaching
    • Health and Medical fields (including a group for International Medical Doctors)
    • Engineering (including a group for International Engineers)

• Individual Mentoring
  • Do you need to practice your English or do you want to just learn more one on one about the local culture?  We are happy to set up individual mentoring based on your needs and learning goals.   Please ask your Settlement Specialist for more information.

• Skills based mentoring
  • Computer classes for beginners – The classes focus on teaching the very basic computer skills: keyboard, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point.
  • English Conversation Circles  – Talk informally with others, build confidence speaking English and meet new people. Groups are offered in Burlington, Oakville and Milton.

If you wish to participate in any of these programs please contact events@nullhmcconnections.com.  If you are a potential mentor then please check our volunteer opportunity page for an application to become a mentor.