Fort Erie Multicultural Centre

Peace Bridge Newcomer Centre, St John's Learning Centre
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Record #: NIA1588 Last Modified: 23 Apr 2013 Last Full Update: 09 Nov 2012
Description & Services
Areas ServedCrystal Beach ; Fort Erie ; Ridgeway ; Stevensville ; Black Creek
DescriptionMulticultural Centre providing settlement services to meet the needs of Immigrants and Refugees living or in transition in the community of Fort Erie.  
 
Border Reception (Peace Bridge Newcomer Centre): assistance with shelter and destination referrals; information/orientation to Canada 
 
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (Literacy and Levels 1-7); ESL (English as a Second Language) in partnership with Niagara Catholic District School Board (St John's Learning Centre) 
 
Orientation Services: information and referral, supportive counselling and problem solving, translation, assistance with housing and community orientation; immigration consultation; Commissioner of Oaths for original documents 
 
Community Connections Mentorship Program (formerly HOST Program) -- group activities for newly arrived immigrants and refugees of all ages to help orient them to their new community and establish social and professional networks * trained and experienced volunteer mentors assist, with focus on citizenship and civic engagement or skills and career development 
 
Settlement Program (formerly Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program) -- services to enable immigrants and refugees to integrate into Canadian society including orientation programs, language and skills training to help facilitate employment, and programs to welcome newcomers to the community * individual agencies may provide needs and eligibility assessments, pre- and post-arrival information and referral, job search and employment counselling, assistance to establish social and professional networks to promote community engagement, and assistance to access a range of settlement services 
 
Volunteer Opportunities available for community projects and events, conversation partners, employment mentorship, youth programs and after school programs 
 
Public Computer with internet access; local phone calls
HoursMon-Fri 9 am-4:30 pm (evenings on request) * Language Classes Mon-Fri 9 am-3:30 pm September-June * Writing and Pronunciation evening classes (please call for schedule)
DatesAll year
EligibilityLanguage Training - 17 years and older
LanguagesEnglish ; French ; Russian ; Spanish ; Farsi; Dari; Others
ApplicationTo volunteer only
FeesNone
EventsCanada Multicultural Day 
World Refugee Day
Contact Information
Address52 Jarvis St, Unit 2
Fort Erie, ON L2A 2S4
 
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Located In CommunityFort Erie
IntersectionJarvis St and Central Ave
Mailing AddressPO Box 104 
Fort Erie, ON L2A 5M6
Office Phone905-871-3641
Fax905-871-2231
E-Maildirector@firststepsincanada.com
Websitewww.firststepsincanada.com
Primary ExecutiveMartha Mason, Executive Director; Phone: 905-871-3641 ext 31; Email: mmason@firststepsincanada.com
AccessibilityPartially Accessible - Parking - Usable; Entrance - Accessible
Other Details
Service Level(51) Non Profit Charity ; (80) United Way
MeetingsMonthly
Established1992
ElectionsSeptember
FundingRegional - Niagara Region Community Services ; Provincial - Ministry of Citizenship Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration ; Federal - Citizenship and Immigration Canada; Canadian Heritage; Public Works and Governement Services Canada ; Fundraising - Fort Erie Bingo ; United Way - Niagara Falls & Fort Erie
Subjects
SubjectsAdult education ; Citizenship ; Commissioners of oaths ; Computers ; Education ; Educational programs ; Employment ; English as a second language ; Family support ; Free services ; Friendship services ; Housing ; Immigrants ; Immigration ; Information and referral ; Multiculturalism ; Orientation ; Refugees ; Settlement services
Broader TermsAcademic upgrading ; Education ; Educational programs ; Electronic equipment ; Equipment ; Family support ; Immigration ; Instructional programs ; Language instruction ; Legal representatives ; Reduced cost services