The new North York YMCA Newcomer Information Centre opened on Tuesday, October 30th. Then on Thursday, November 1st, the Scarborough YMCA Newcomer Information Centre opened its doors. Both new centres celebrated their new beginnings with launch parties featuring multicultural food and entertainment presented by local children, youth and adults.

Like all YMCA Newcomer Information Centres, the new North York and Scarborough centres:

• Provide up-to-date information on living in the Greater Toronto Area
• Refer newcomers to supportive resources in the community
• Offer information sessions on Canadian culture and society presented by multi-lingual staff
• Assist newcomers as they try to find employment
• Offer information on volunteer opportunities
• Provide a resource library, computers, Internet, fax and photocopier

All services are free of charge. 

The new centres are an important part of the YMCA’s continuing efforts to help newcomers make a successful transition to life in Toronto—a city widely hailed as one of the most multicultural in the world. Toronto is the top Canadian destination for newcomers (Vancouver is second) and 49% of Toronto’s population was born outside of Canada (source: City of Toronto).

With the opening of new Newcomer Information Centres in North York and Scarborough, the YMCA of Greater Toronto now provides seven locations across the Greater Toronto Area.