YMCA of Northeastern Ontario’s Employment Services and Immigrant Services
Location
10 Elm Street
Suite 132, Elm Place
Sudbury, ON, P3C 5N3
Phone 705-674-2324
Fax 705-674-3236
Immigrant Services
Cette section est également offerte en français
Nos pages sur les services d’emploi et aux immigrants sont offertes en français et en anglais. Le reste du site est actuellement offert en anglais seulement. Pour obtenir de l’aide en français concernant un autre programme du YMCA, communiquez avec nous. Il nous fera plaisir de vous aider.
Free, confidential, and culturally sensitive support to help newcomers feel at home in Northeastern Ontario.
Moving to a new country is one of the biggest transitions a person can make. YMCA Immigrant Services has been helping newcomers settle into the Greater Sudbury region for more than fifteen years, offering a range of free, confidential services to help you navigate your new community with confidence.
Our multilingual settlement staff work alongside you to build a personalized plan that reflects your unique needs and connects you to the resources, programs, and people that can help you thrive.
If you wish to access French language training or French settlement services, we recommend accessing services provided by Collège Boréal.
How We Can Help
Settlement Planning
We work with you one-on-one to assess your needs and build a personalized settlement plan, with referrals to community agencies and services along the way.
Settlement Services in the Schools
Support for newcomer students and their families within the Rainbow District School Board and Sudbury Catholic District School Board.
Language Assessments
Free English language assessments for eligible newcomers, with referrals to government-funded language programs.
Community Connections
English conversation circles, cultural events, intercambio language exchanges, and community activities happening across Greater Sudbury.
Canada Connects
A volunteer matching program that connects newcomers with long-time Canadians and established immigrants for guidance, cultural exchange, and community integration.
Events & Activities
Throughout the month, YMCA Immigrant Services runs workshops and programs — language basics, intercambio sessions, and more — and takes part in community events, cultural celebrations, and awareness days across Greater Sudbury.
Facebook is where we post what’s coming up. Follow along to see what’s happening this month.
Building Your Settlement Plan
Every newcomer’s journey is different. Our multilingual settlement staff work collaboratively with community partners to help you find your footing in Sudbury.
When you connect with our team, you can expect:
- A needs assessment to determine the level of support required
- A personalized settlement plan based on your individual goals and circumstances
- Information and orientation sessions about life in Canada and in Greater Sudbury
- Referrals to community agencies, programs, and services as needed
- English conversation circles and welcoming community activities
- Coordination of language assessments remotely through Thunder Bay Multicultural Association and the YMCA – YWCA National Capital Region and refers eligible candidates to LINC
Our services are free, confidential, and available in multiple languages.
Settlement Resources & Community Links
Settling into a new community takes time, and you don’t have to figure it out alone. Below you’ll find a collection of trusted resources organized by category to help you find the support, information, and connections you need as you build your life in Greater Sudbury.
Government
Key federal resources for navigating life in Canada as a newcomer — including service applications through Service Canada, a welcome guide from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and an orientation handbook for newcomers settling in Ontario.
Settlement and Employment
Practical online resources for newcomers, including settlement guidance from Settlement.org, stories and advice from Canadian Immigrant magazine, local immigration information specific to Sudbury, and survival tips for young newcomers arriving in Ontario.
Community Organizations
A range of local and provincial organizations offering support across housing, food security, legal aid, language programs, cultural connection, employment, and services for women, Indigenous peoples, and francophone communities in Greater Sudbury.
- Contact interculturel francophone de Sudbury
- Canadian Red Cross
- Centre Victoria pour femmes
- Elizabeth Fry Association
- N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre
- Sudbury Food Bank
- YWCA, Genevra House
- LINC Sudbury
- Local Immigration
- YMCA Employment Services
- Sudbury Multi-Cultural Centre
- Canadian Citizenship
- Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
- Francophone Settlement Services
- Essential Skills
Health Services
Your two primary points of contact for health care in Greater Sudbury — Health Sciences North for hospital and specialist services, and the Sudbury District Health Unit for public health programs and community health information.
Settlement Services in the Schools
For newcomer families with school-age children, our Settlement Worker in the Schools (SWIS) program places experienced settlement workers directly within local schools to provide support on an ongoing and as-needed basis.
When you connect with a SWIS worker, you can expect:
- School and School Bus registration support
- Information and orientation sessions about the Canadian English school system and School Bus.
- Support for parent-teacher meetings—such as how to prepare or having someone accompany you.
- Information regarding school events such as Open House, Pizza Day, field trips, etc.
- Needs assessment and referrals to community resources
- Social Integration Support: Events and activities for children and families outside of school
- Cultural competence sessions for school staff
SWIS appointments can be scheduled directly at your child’s school. Check the schools in the directories below and reach out to our team via email to get in touch with a settlement worker in the school who will help you with the registration.
Education Institutions in Greater Sudbury
Canada has a publicly funded school system divided into elementary (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8) and secondary (Grades 9–12) levels. In Greater Sudbury, schools are organized into four school boards — two English and two French. If you have school-age children, your settlement worker can help you determine which board and school is the right fit for your family.
For post-secondary education, Sudbury is home to several colleges and universities offering a wide range of programs in English and French.
English Boards of Education
French Board of Education
Language Assessments
If you need to learn or improve your English language skills, YMCA Immigrant Services offers free language assessments to eligible newcomers. Your results will help determine the right language program for you and can be used to refer you to a government-funded English language program in the area.
To be eligible, you must be 18 or older, currently residing in Greater Sudbury, and have one of the following immigration statuses:
- Canadian citizen born outside of Canada whose first language is not English
- Permanent resident
- Protected person (including Convention refugee)
On the day of your assessment: Plan for two to three hours. You’ll be asked to read, write, and speak in English. At the end of your session, you’ll receive your benchmark numbers and if you are eligible a referral to language programs.
Bring your immigration documents: your original landing document, citizenship card, or permanent resident card.
To book an appointment, email us at newcomer-info@ymcaneo.ca or call us at 705-674-2324.
Canada Connects
Building a new life in a new country is easier when you have someone in your corner. Canada Connects pairs newcomers with long-time Canadians and established immigrants who can offer guidance, share their knowledge of local community life, and help newcomers feel genuinely welcome in Greater Sudbury.
The program is designed as a two-way street — fostering inter-cultural awareness and acceptance, and helping volunteers better understand the contributions immigrants make and the challenges they face in building a life in Canada.
Volunteers provide insights into Canadian customs, culture, and social, political, and economic context — and introduce newcomers to the formal and informal networks that make a community feel like home.
We invite you to discover the activities our volunteers have specially prepared for you by consulting our Facebook page.
Become a Canada Connects Volunteer
If you’re a long-time Canadian citizen or established newcomer who is well-connected to the Greater Sudbury community, we’d love to hear from you. As a Canada Connects volunteer, you’ll develop cross-cultural awareness and communication skills while making a meaningful difference in someone’s settlement journey.
Volunteers commit to attending training sessions and maintaining confidentiality.
Get in touch with our team to get involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can access Immigrant Services?
Our services are available to newcomers to Canada living in the Greater Sudbury region, including permanent residents, convention refugees and protected persons, and those with applications for permanent residence in progress. Contact us to find out if you’re eligible.
Are your services really free?
Yes. All YMCA Immigrant Services are provided at no cost to eligible clients.
What languages does your team speak?
Our settlement staff collectively offer services in English, French, Spanish, Ukrainian, Russian, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu . We work to match you with a staff member who can best support your needs.
How do I get started?
Reach out by phone or email and our team will connect you with the right service — whether that’s settlement planning, a language assessment, or getting matched with a Canada Connects volunteer. No appointment necessary.
Find Us in Downtown Sudbury
Get In Touch
Let's get you connected.
Whether you’re just arriving or have been in Sudbury for a while — whether you need help with your settlement plan, want to book a language assessment, or are looking to get involved as a Canada Connects volunteer — our team is ready to connect you with the support you need.
Call us at 705-674-2324 or email newcomer-info@ymcaneo.ca to get started. No appointment necessary.
Our Partners
