SETTLEMENT & INTEGRATION SERVICES

Supporting newcomers through settlement and integration for over 30 years

Settlement Progam Overview

Moving to a new country can be both exciting and strenuous. SCFS understands the challenges involved in settling into a new country and has specifically designed our integration programs to facilitate and ease this transition for newcomers. Our team of diverse settlement counselors provide first-language settlement supports to immigrants and refugees in English, French, Somali, Arabic and an ever-expanding number of other languages. We directly assist these clients in responding to complex concerns related to their migration and integration process. Our programs are additionally dually designed to both empower and support clients through capacity and skills-based training and workshops as well as through individualized one-one client appointments.

SCFS is committed to supporting the successful integration of immigrants and refugees into Canada. As part of this commitment, SCFS has developed a comprehensive settlement service programs that directly support newcomers to address their immediate and essential integration needs. Our team of diverse and multilingual settlement counsellours assist newcomer clients to navigate and familiarize them with core Canadian systems and cultures and address a wide range of settlement-related topics.

Newcomers will obtain the required support and skill to find and apply for employment opportunities in general labour, construction industries, cleaning companies, local food stores, and placement agencies. This program gives particularly allows newcomer youth to settle in and successfully contribute to the society socially, economically, and culturally.

SCFS offers settlement services at Alta vista and Elmvale Public library. The services include one-on-one settlement information, group information session, and Newcomers outreach. Services currently coordinated by library settlement workers include: the English Group, French Conversation Group, Homework Help Program for Newcomers and Canadian Citizenship Study Program.

SCFS is partnering with Canada Revenue Agency to offer free Tax preparation for low income Newcomers families through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) since 2011.

Through this program, we have a group of volunteers that are committed their valuable time to provide a valuable service to members of their community.

Our 2020 Income Tax Clinic for March and April we have prepared for 393 newcomer low income clients for their tax returns free of charge.

Our sincere thanks go to all of our wonderful volunteers we wouldn’t have done it without them.

Life Skills

Language

Employment Training

Financial Literacy

Foreign Credential Assessment

Our Approach to Settlement

COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL

The Immigrant Settlement and Integration Programs specifically provides; direct settlement services, orientation and information-sharing sessions, labour market access and job-search supports, community outreach and volunteer programs which subsequently include; strategic community-based partnerships in local schools and libraries, English and French language conversation circles, and homework help programs. SCFS also provides Canadian citizenship preparation supports, drop-in services and referrals and a community volunteer income tax program. Our hope is that through compassionate and wide-ranging service and support provision we can directly assist newcomers better understand and integrate into the Canadian cultural mosaic and ultimately improve their quality of life.

What you need to know

Eligibility for the settlement and adaptation program

Schedule Appointment

Who is Eligible?

Those who are eligible for Immigrant Settlement & Integration Program services are

Permanent residents of Canada
Protected persons as defined in section 95 of the Immigrant and Refugee Protection Act
Individuals who have been selected inside or outside Canada, to become permanent residents (pending verifications) and who have been informed by a letter from Immigrants Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Convention refugees and protected persons outside Canada who have been selected for resettlement to Canada by IRCC
Temporary foreign workers who hold or received approval of a work permit under section 112 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)
Initial approval for permanent residence under section 113 of the IRPR

In order to participate in ISIP services, you must have one of the following:

A PR (Permanent Resident Card)
A Permanent Resident confirmation letter from IRCC
A work permit with the above specifications

Canadian Citizens, visitors, students, working visa holders and temporary foreign workers are not eligible. Please refer to other services to discover services you may be eligible for.

Your first visit

At your first visit-in-person we will

Welcome you and determine if the Immigrant Settlement & Integration Program is the best services option for you
Register you with the Immigrant Settlement & Integration Program
Talk to you about your settlement experiences and share with you how we can assist you
Provide information on key settlement information for newly arrived immigrants
Work with you to determine your immediate, short term and long term settlement and employment goals
Review your English language learning needs and help you to sign up for English training programs such as LINC English learning programs for everyday use and for the workplace
Introduce you to ways to connect with your community

One-on-One appointments

Our friendly and professional settlement staff offer one-to-one appointments to eligible immigrants, newcomers and their families. We give orientation and information about living in Canada. Our settlement staff can provide you with in-depth information in many topics (outlined above).

We provide in-person, phone-in, and online appointments to suit your needs. Schedule an Appoint by clicking on the bottom the “Schedule Appointment”

Our Settlement Team

The right people, with the same experiences, helping others.

Rama Alsafadi

Settlement Counselor

Manar Nasser

Settlement Counselor

Marian Farah

Settlement Counselor

Ali Malash

Settlement Counselor

Fathiya Ibrahim

Settlement Counselor

Rukia Warsame

Settlement Counselor

Abdulkadir Yussuf

Settlement Manager

Muhubo Muse

Settlement Counselor

Kiduse Emanuel

Kiduse Emanuel is a Grade 10 student at Hillcrest High School in Ottawa. He is a passionate student-athlete, proud member of the Black Excellence Club, and a dedicated volunteer in his community. As an NCSSAA Junior Soccer Champion, he has learned the value of teamwork, leadership, and perseverance, which he applies both on and off the field. Beyond sports, he expresses his creativity as a graphic designer for the Ethiopian Community Association of Ottawa, crafting impactful visuals that bring ideas to life.

He also serves his community through the FC Young Lions Soccer Team, where he helps organize meals for the homeless, assists seniors with technology, and fundraises for local initiatives. What Kiduse loves most about being Young, Gifted, and Black is the limitless potential and resilience of his community. From streamers to athletes, lawyers to therapists, he believes Black people can do anything—and do it the best. Surrounded by a network of supportive and inspiring individuals, he feels empowered to dream big and achieve his goals. He is excited to continue building on these experiences, combining his passion for service, creativity, and leadership to make a meaningful impact.

Safiya Ali

Safiya Ali is a Grade 12 student at Gloucester High School with plans to pursue a science-based program in post-secondary education. Her dream is to become a doctor, physician assistant, or work in a similar healthcare field, combining her love for science with her passion for helping others. As a proud Somali-Canadian, she is deeply committed to anti-racism advocacy. Growing up in a diverse community has fueled her drive to challenge systemic barriers, amplify marginalized voices, and promote equity.

She has participated in initiatives that raise awareness and foster inclusion, and she sees this work as a lifelong commitment to justice and empowerment. What Safiya loves most about being Young, Gifted, and Black is the ability to learn and grow while giving back to the communities that have shaped her. Opportunities like the Youth Ambassador program have inspired her to take action, and she is excited to continue advocating for meaningful change in all aspects of her life.

Moussa N Cisse

Moussa N Cisse is from Mali, West Africa. Being chosen as a youth ambassador for the 2024-25 year is an honor not only because it's a great learning opportunity but also because it allows him to affect change in his community and amongst his people. Moussa is currently attending grade 10 at E.S.P Omer-Deslauriers.

His post-secondary plan is to play university basketball while studying civil engineering. He loves everything about his ethnic background, but the qualities that describe them the most are resilience and hospitality. Moussa always tries to take inspiration from how people of African descent can overcome their challenges with limited possessions despite facing several racial obstacles. This motivates him to find innovative solutions to problems instead of giving up.

Eloho Omene

Eloho Omene is a grade 12 student at Brookfield High School. Her dream career is to become a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), with a focus on helping non-profit organizations, while also engaging in neuroscience-based research, a field she enjoys working in. To achieve this goal, she plans to major in Finance and Neuroscience research at the University of Alberta.
Eloho is Nigerian, specifically of Igbo and Urhobo descent. She finds her favorite aspect of being young, Black, and gifted is the ability to share her talents with others and use them to help people. She also cherishes the opportunity to become more like the talented Black women she admires, who have been paving the way for future generations for decades.

One of her major inspirations is Marsai Martin, a pioneering actress, producer, and entrepreneur known for her role as Diane in "Black-ish." Marsai has made history as the youngest executive producer in Hollywood through her production company, Genius Productions, which is committed to elevating Black stories and increasing representation in the media. Marsai's numerous achievements, including multiple NAACP Image Awards and recognition as one of Time’s most influential teens, highlight her dedication to breaking barriers and embodying Black excellence. Marsai is one of the many amazing Black women who have made Eloho proud to be Black and motivated her to strive for self-improvement in all aspects of her life.

Mikail Ahmed

Mikail Ahmed is currently in grade 12 at the French high school Pierre-de-Blois. His dream is to one day become the technical director of a major company, leading innovation and managing big projects. For post-secondary education, he is exploring two paths: Computer Science and Accounting. Both fields interest him because he has liked problem-solving, technology, and understanding systems throughout his entire childhood. Being young, Black, and gifted means a lot to him. He is proud of who he is and where he comes from, and he wants to rise above the racism and discrimination his people face. He wants his successes and achievements to show what he is capable of, no matter the challenges.

Odelia Niangoran

Odelia Niangoran is a grade 11 student with dreams of becoming a Robotics engineer. She plans on attending university to study mechanical engineering and hopes to study abroad or participate in an exchange program. Although she is still unsure of the exact level of education she wants to pursue after high school, she hopes to teach in her field later in life. Odelia is from Cote d'Ivoire, a Francophone country in West Africa. She came to Canada with her family at three years old and has been a Canadian citizen for nine years.

Odelia cannot attribute her love for the skin she wears to a single person as her journey includes varied mentors and impactful meetings. However, Florence Cole made her realize the importance of this journey. Odelia has loved being Ivorian for as long as she can remember and never wanted to change her nationality growing up. Yet, she did not always like the color of her skin. She felt uncomfortable, out of place, and as if she failed to meet expectations.Florence Cole, a Dark-Skin Black woman like Odelia, was the first person to make Odelia feel confident about being stereotypically Black. Odelia is an extrovert and loud, qualities Florence reminded her were strengths. Where Odelia saw fear, shame, and doubt, Florence saw pride and power. Seeing herself in Florence, Odelia learned to love these qualities in herself. She still doubts herself and questions whether she belongs in certain spaces, but overcoming her fears gives her strength to push forward. Serving her community as a TWC Youth Ambassador is a source of pride and joy for Odelia.

Moussa Cisse

Moussa Cisse is a dedicated student-athlete who balances his academic, athletic, and extracurricular pursuits with ease. Known for his bold and unapologetic voice, Moussa is a natural leader who consistently strives for excellence. His passion for volunteerism and advocacy is demonstrated through his completion of over 100 volunteer hours in his freshman year and his active involvement in organizing and speaking at Ridgemont High School’s Black History Month assembly.

Over the summer, Moussa volunteered as a videographer for SCFS. As he begins the IB program at ÉSP DesLauriers, Moussa is committed to establishing the school’s first Black Student Union, furthering his dedication to creating a positive and inclusive environment.

Momen Ali

Momen Ali is a 3rd-year Computer Systems Engineering student at Carleton University who is passionate about making a difference through innovation. Momen has volunteered extensively, participating in Jaku Konbit's mentorship program and guiding youth in STEM through the Let’s Talk Science initiative.

He also played a vital role in the development of Ridgemont High School’s Black Student Union, promoting inclusivity and engagement. Momen's commitment to innovation and community service showcases his leadership and drive to empower the next generation of leaders.

Olantu Nini

Olantu Nini, a Grade 11 student at Immaculata High School in Ottawa, originally hails from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As Co-president of the Black Student Alliance, Olantu leads impactful initiatives such as the Black History Month Showcase and a multicultural fashion show, fostering diversity and inclusion within her school community.

Olantu’s passion for youth empowerment is evident in her role as a Volunteer Youth Coordinator for the BBYFR project at SCFS, where she organizes workshops and job fairs that benefit her peers. Her commitment to using media for social change led her to create a podcast at Immaculata, where she engages in storytelling and facilitates meaningful conversations on important issues.

Olantu Nini

Olantu Nini is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the vibrant capital city. Currently, a Grade 11 student at Immaculata High School. Alongside her academic pursuits, Olantu serves as one of the co-leads of the black student association at Immaculata. Her passion for inclusivity and fairness led her to join the BBYF committee.

Olantu believes in championing youth empowerment within her community and beyond. Leveraging her leadership role at school, she has worked diligently to foster awareness and facilitate open dialogues, particularly on accessing employment opportunities.

This year, Olantu's focus for the Job Fair was amplifying the voices and experiences of Black students, a cause close to her heart. Beyond her school and BBYF commitments, Olantu indulges in photography and reading, two hobbies that fuel my creativity and curiosity. She is very enthusiastic about engaging in discussions centered on fairness and equality. Through her involvement with BBYF, she aspires to collaborate with like-minded individuals, fostering a thriving community where everyone's unique contributions are valued and respected.

Trisha Islam

Trisha Islam is the Director of All That Kids Can Be at United Way East Ontario (UWEO). Trisha focuses on bringing together people and resources to ensure children, youth, and families are ready for school, have safe and stable housing, and are supported to navigate mental health, substance use, and addictions challenges.

She is a Bangladeshi Muslim immigrant and hopes for communities across East Ontario to be places where children and youth feel safe and seen, can be themselves, and have access to whatever they need to reach their dreams. Trisha brings knowledge and experience from working alongside youth-led collective impact initiatives across Canada, community and international development, social policy, food security, and financial empowerment.

Hedaia Leandre

Hedaia is a 22 year old who is simultaneously studying Business Administration at Algonquin College and Medical Office Assistant at ABM College. She is passionate about community building, social inclusion and finding ways to be sustainable. She is also someone who loves to learn and research about the origins of certain topics. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, dancing and baking sweets.

Hedaia decided to join the Building Black Youth Future Resilience Advisory Committee because she wants to contribute to the knowledge-development of the Black youths in our community. She believes that she will also have the opportunity to learn new skills and meet like-minded folks.

Nicole Greaves

Nicole is a community leader and advocate with a message of collaboration and positive engagement that facilitate individual and community well-being. She is a Holistic Care Consultant and Registered Nurse with many years of experience in the health and wellness sector.

Nicole is intentional about volunteering, mentoring and learning with families, seniors and youths from diverse communities. She is also the founding Director of “Ubuntu ConneXions Community Inc. with the vision of promoting and embodying community unity, collaborative works and caring to make a difference in our lifes’ journey.

She believes that self-care is a necessary investment plan for the mind and body. Her self-care investment portfolio includes rest, physical movement and spending time with family and friends embracing grace and gratitude.

Nicole welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the collective works of the Somali Centre for Family Services’ BBYFR Steering Committee

Ubuntu,

Nicole

Tolorunlogo Akinrinola

Tolorunlogo Akinrinola is a Nigerian-born Canadian passionate about combating racial inequalities through education, art, and community building.

Tolorunlogo is a graduate of the University of Ottawa Masters of Education program, as well as a graduate of the third cohort of the Developing Young Leaders of Tomorrow, Today Black Diplomats Academy (BDA Academy) - where he was selected as a delegate to the United Nations Permanent Forum of People of African Descent. He won the Rising Star award at BDA Academy. Tolorunlogo is also an artist who has had his work featured at the Ottawa Art Gallery and in exhibitions in London and Toronto.

Tolorunlogo is an up-and-coming policy analyst looking to dismantle the School-to-Prison pipeline that disproportionally affects youth of African descent. Currently, he is the Director of Future Paths Network and an Executive Board Member of Minds-On, both grassroots non-profit organizations that aim to shape an equitable future for Black and racialized youth. On his ‘off days’, Tolorunlogo enjoys various hobbies, such as diverse cuisines, music, poetry, writing, origami, basketball, and reading.

Nicole Greaves

Nicole welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the collective works of the Somali Centre for Family Services’ BBYFR Steering Committee

Ubuntu,

Nicole

Anne Musene

Anne L. Musene is a 22 years old and hold an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa. Anne is currently completing my Graduate Certificate in Project Management at Algonquin College. Anne is passionate about topics of economic growth, environmental protection, community building, and social inclusion. In her free time, Anne enjoys researching interesting topics, reading, learning new languages, teaching violin and piano, and co-directing children's music ensembles.

Anne joined the Building Black Youth Future Resilience Advisory Committee to be more involved and contribute to the best of my capacities in our Black youth community. Moreover, it is an excellent opportunity to develop new skills, connect with new people, and build resilience overall. Anne is looking forward to learning more about the BBYFR project and contributing to its evolution.

Ahmed Awad

Ahmed is a 5th year student studying at Western University in the Medical Sciences program. Ahmed is thrilled to be part of the BBYFR Project Advisory Committee and look forward to helping Black youth explore the many opportunities in the STEM fields.

Samira Awad

Samira is currently a fourth-year Science student at the University of Ottawa. Samira is excited to be part of the BBYFR Project Advisory Committee and to be able to help Black youths succeed in their education and secure a job.

Chanda Jones

Chanda Jones is the Founder and CEO of Future Paths Network, a grassroot non-profit dedicated to supporting black youth transitioning from foster care. As an ambassador of the Children's Aid Foundation of Canada, she is an advocate for positive change. Chanda's passion lies in offering mentorship and creating nurturing environments for young individuals in entrepreneurship, entertainment, and culture. As a youth program consultant, she helps organizations achieve effective engagement, contributing to the prosperity of black youth and fostering community connections. Chanda's impactful work centers on bridging pathways to new opportunities and creating a brighter future for the youth she serves.

SETTLEMENT & INTEGRATION SERVICES

Supporting newcomers through settlement and integration for over 30 years

Settlement Progam Overview

COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL

Eligibility for the settlement and adaptation program

Who is Eligible?

Your first visit

One-on-One appointments

Our Settlement Team

Rama Alsafadi

Manar Nasser

Marian Farah

Ali Malash

Fathiya Ibrahim

Rukia Warsame

Abdulkadir Yussuf

Muhubo Muse

Bureau principal

Bureau du département de la jeunesse

Découvrir

Suivez-nous

Kiduse Emanuel

Safiya Ali

Moussa N Cisse

Eloho Omene

Mikail Ahmed

Odelia Niangoran

Moussa Cisse

Momen Ali

Olantu Nini

Olantu Nini

Trisha Islam

Hedaia Leandre

Nicole Greaves

Tolorunlogo Akinrinola

Nicole Greaves

Anne Musene

Ahmed Awad

Samira Awad

Chanda Jones