ACFO London-Sarnia (www.acfo-ls.org)

The Association Canadienne – Français de l’Ontario London-Sarnia provide services for Francophones (over 12,000 people) residing in the counties of Elgin, Lambton, Middlesex, Oxford and Perth by giving them the necessary resources that will encourage the French speaking community to achieve its potential. ACFO has recently added a new program, New Youth Opportunities, to its list of services.

What is the New Youth Opportunities Program all about?
The New Youth Opportunities Program (NYOP) - mon avenir, j’y pense ! Ma collectivité, c’est moi! Les jeunes et le sentiment d’appartenance is a new program at ACFO de London-Sarnia funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. NYOP has its mission to encourage young immigrant and newcomer youths in Ontario to explore employment, volunteer, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and/or community involvement options with an aim to increase youth’s sense of belonging in Canadian society.

The program’s main objective is:
• To improve community and economic opportunities for immigrant /newcomer youths
• To give youths the chance to develop leadership skills and valuable work experience
• To form a Youth Advisory Committee that involves youths in the design and delivery of activities and community projects

Who are admissible?
All immigrant and newcomer youths in the cities of London, Sarnia and Woodstock:
• 16 to 24 years old
• Who has dropped out of school and does not attend postsecondary training

To our youths, we offer:
• The possibility of a mentorship and volunteer program
• Job search techniques workshops and community activities
• Individual assistance in job search and career planning

To employers, we offer:
• A database of bilingual job seekers
• More visibility to companies and their mission

If you need more information or an appointment, please feel free to contact Nadine Lewis at (519) 850-2236 Ext. 281 or email: nadine@acfo-ls.org
 

To view other programs for immigrants and newcomers, please click here>
 

Masterworks Series - Folk Dances

Date: December 3, 2011         Time: 8 pm         Admission: $41-$64
Location: Centennial Hall, 550 Wellington St., London
Website: www.orchestralondon.ca

At the heart of many of the best known orchestral works are the incredible collection of folk dances preserved and showcased by such greats as Sibelius, Bartók and Dvořák. Our conductor laureate, Timothy Vernon, takes us on a tour of folk music by all three composers as well as Brahms' Hungarian Dance & the Orchestra London premiere of Smetana's Sarka.
 

For Other Local Events Visit:
Tourism London
London Covent Garden Market
City of London Upcoming Special Events
Western Fair

Immigrant Senior's Programs

For twenty years London InterCommunity Health Centre has offered programs and services for immigrant seniors and immigrant women from all ethno-cultural backgrounds. We offer the following programs for seniors: Home Visiting; Drop-in; Wraparound; and Tai Chi. For more information on these programs, click here>  or call our Seniors Health Worker at (519) 660-0875 x275.

Over 55 (London) Inc.

Over 55 London is a non-profit, charitable organization that values older adults and the contributions they provide to our community.  We help older adults improve their economic security, sense of community and quality of life by connecting them to income earning opportunities and other services.
View their September Newsletter>

An Inventory of Heritage Resources in London

Did you know that there are approximately 3,900 buildings and structures listed on the City of London's Inventory of Heritage Resources? This figure represents approximately three per cent of the entire building stock based on an estimate of 100,000 buildings in London. Learn more>
For a glossary that provides a brief explanation for architectural terms used, click here>

Mentors Help Unlock Immigrant’s Potential

London’s new status as Canada’s poster child for big-city unemployment doesn’t faze two London immigrants. David Cuellar arrived “in the perfect city to raise a family” a year and a half ago from Bogota, Colombia. In 2008, Mohammad Bashar came to the University of Western Ontario to pursue a masters degree in mechanical engineering.  Both men are optimistic about hidden potential within London’s job market as they join… read more>
 

For more information about the mentorship program, please contact Deborah Villani, Program Coordinator, mentorship@will.ca, 519-663-0774 ext. 359 or visit the website at www.WIL.ca.

Working in Canada website (www.workingincanada.gc.ca)

Did you know that you could produce a Working in Canada Report for yourself? You will learn about job opportunities, job demand, wages, skills requirements, and more. You can find out where the jobs are now and where they will be in the future. The web site also includes a section to help Newcomers before or after they arrive in Canada.
 

"Come to Canada" On-line Web Tool

Prospective immigrants and visitors to Canada now have a new interactive web tool at their fingertips to help them determine if they are eligible to come to Canada. “We understand that our application processes can be complex, but this new tool is a major service improvement.” Read more>
Visit the new “Come to Canada” wizard>

About Your Apartment Fact Sheets

Available from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Do you have a problem with pests, power outages, or noise levels? About Your Apartment fact sheets are intended to assist occupants in taking appropriate measures to address existing problems in their apartment. The list contains 8 of the most common problems that an occupant may face. To select and download a fact sheet, click here>
 

Free Occupation-Specific Language Training (OSLT)
for Internationally Trained Individuals

Two courses will be offered by Fanshawe College starting in January 4th, 2012 for Internationally Trained Individuals wanting to improve their business English skills in the following fields:

     1) Workplace Communications Skills for Business-Accounting and Finance (EASL-1011) view flyer>

     2) Workplace Communications Skills for Technology (EASL-1013) view flyer>

For any additional information please come to Citi Plaza (downtown) or call at 519-667-2392 extension 238 or email msanchez@fanshawec.ca

Helping More Students Succeed

Since the beginning of September, all students in grades 7 to 10 have access to Ontario's free online math tutoring program. This expansion gives over 600,000 students access to Homework Help - a free, real-time math tutoring service that connects certified Ontario teachers with students who are looking for extra support... Learn More>

Helping Ontarians Stay Healthy

Starting in August 2011, Ontario families will benefit from new free vaccines that will help keep our kids healthy and save parents money. Five new vaccines are now free -- saving families more than $1,400 per child. Learn More>

Local health care providers such as family doctors, nurse practitioners and public health nurses will provide the vaccines. If you don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, you can contact:
London-Middlesex Health Unit located on 50 King Street. Phone 519-663-5317 and ask for Charlene or Jana
 

Featured Artist of the Month

Artists of the Month, is a series planned jointly by Art and Rental Sales Gallery and The Gallery Shop at Museum London.

FEATURE ARTISTS IN OCT: Susan Shurish will be the featured Artists at the Art Rental and Sales Gallery; Julie Bell will be the featured artist for The Gallery Shop. Learn more>
FEATURE ARTIST IN NOV: DONNA ANDREYCHUK

Visit LondonArts.ca for more upcoming events.

Credential Recognition Services for applicants improved

The Government of Canada expanded the key role it plays in helping foreign trained skilled workers succeed in Canada.

The Foreign Credentials Referral Office’s (FCRO) annual report, released August 18, 2011, highlights the important achievements made by Citizenship and Immigration (CIC), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and Health Canada, who work in partnership with provinces and territories and other key stakeholders to help foreign trained workers with the foreign credential recognition processes. “We want newcomers to be able to use their skills as soon as possible in Canada and work to their full potential”… Read more>

View the 2010 Progress Report>

London/Middlesex to Launch 211 on October 21st, 2011

211 is a three-digit phone number, 2-1-1, and website (www.211ontario.ca) to provide information on community, social, health and government services in Ontario. We are here to help Ontario residents find support to be resilient and resourceful, no matter what life situation is challenging them. 211 is here to help you find the right service in your community that meets your needs.

View the background on London Middlesex 211>

Political parties come up short on racial equality

Ontario voters looking for a political party committed to racial equality will be disappointed, according to an election primer prepared by an anti-poverty advocacy group. In a report card being released Wednesday, the Colour of Poverty, a coalition of 25 community groups, rated all three major parties’ campaign platforms on issues most affecting minority communities. Read more>

 
To view the report>
 

Report: "Working Rough, Living Poor"

This report by Access Alliance reveals how racialized people are being pushed into protracted conditions of precarious and ‘temp’ jobs, and how existing employment training services and job search supports often prove ineffective. Read more>

To view the report>