Our Vision
Strong women build strong communities.
Our name is Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto. The NEW in our name reflects our mission, which is to empower newcomer women and their families in building a life in Canada. We’ve been doing this since 1983 when a group of Latin American refugees founded the non-profit agency. In December 2019 we were awarded an international Peace Award for serving immigrants and newcomers.
Our Mission
NEW empowers newcomer women and their families in building a life in Canada, by connecting them to social and economic opportunities and fostering a sense of belonging.
Our Mandate
NEW focuses on the immediate needs of immigrant women by directing them to settlement resources and providing them with language instruction, pathways and coaching towards employment opportunities as well as programs that help them overcome the systems and structures that impede their success. NEW also provides pathways to employment, training, coaching and programs to disadvantaged youth.
Our Values
Inclusion, empathy, Integrity, empowerment , diversity and Innovation
Our Unique Approach
We offer women-only English classes, we help people find work and we help them settle into their new home.
But we’re more than a school, employment or settlement agency. What makes us unique is the holistic approach that the NEW team—most of whom have lived experience as newcomers—has created to empower immigrant women in five critical areas.
1. CULTURAL INTEGRATION
In addition to learning English, the students study Canadian culture and identity. They also explore how to redefine themselves in this new context.
“We learned how to open a bank account, how to speak to our doctors and explain our problems to them. We learned about Canada; its laws, geography, history, culture, food and everything else that one needs to know about their country. We got to know about the Indigenous people."
A NEWCOMER ENGLISH STUDENT
2. ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
Our clients acquire the necessary skills—language as well as employment-related—to assist them in entering the job market and achieving financial independence.
“I landed my first job in Canada with their help. Newcomer Women’s Services—its teachers and staff—are the reason for my success in my new life.”
An English Student and Employment team client
3. SOCIAL INTEGRATION
Our clients establish social and personal networks.
“Like the North Star she [Settlement Program Manager, Natasa Boskovic] shed light on the path I needed to take and slowly but steadily and consistently, she helped me navigate through the daunting, unknowns of transition and change in a foreign land. Without any friends or family in Canada and with four kids, I found solace in her sincere, honest and practical resilience."
A Settlement Program Client
4. POLITICAL INTEGRATION
Our clients understand human rights—especially women’s rights in Canada. And they understand their role as citizens as well as the importance of voting and civic participation.
“My life was in danger back home… I worked with a non-profit organization, that focused on women empowerment, leadership & governance, education, and capacity building. Therefore, I wanted to be part of women's leadership in Canada. I believe women's issues are very similar all over the world.”
A Sister2Sister graduate
5. ADVOCACY
Our clients are coached and encouraged to stand up for themselves; to find their voice and to advocate for themselves and their families.
“[As a result of the Sister2Sister Program]I have learned that I am still a powerful woman, and my story has positively touched and given hope to many women. I still have room for growth and much more to learn as I continue on this journey of being a leader. My life is changing positively in that it has given me hope and energy to continue being a leader to other women within my community here.”
A sister2-sister graduate
OUR STORY
It all started when…
Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto was founded by a group of Latin American refugees in 1983. For the past 40 years, we’ve been helping immigrant women and men from all around the world to become part of the wider community.
With the help of volunteers and community partners, our friendly staff provides employment and settlement services, skills development for all genders and women-only English classes, completely free of charge. There are also programs for children, including childcare for kids between 19 months and 6 years of age.
Our services are free, thanks to our funders and partners. NEW provides a safe, welcoming environment for newcomer women and their families. For many of the staff and participants, we are like a second home and there’s always room for more!
The agency was awarded a Nonprofit Employer of Choice Award! The Canadian Nonprofit Employer of Choice™ Awards (NEOC) recognizes organizations across Canada that have committed themselves to better business management practices to achieve their mission. It is an award that recognizes the vital importance of incorporating private sector business practices in marketing, financial accountability and people management while still honouring the sector’s best practices in service and mission delivery.
"The staff at Newcomer Women's Services Toronto is a team not because we work together,” says Judy Fantham, executive director.” We are a team because we respect, trust and support one another. I am reminded of a quote by Martin Luther King Jr. who said "whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be." Our team lives this every day through each interaction with colleagues and passionately through each interaction with clients."