The Thunder Bay Multicultural Association located in the old
fire hall at 17 N. Court St. is now the official home of a blended
Newcomer Settlement Program with the DOORS to New Life Refugee
Centre. The two organizations partnered to submit an application to
the Ministry of Citizenship to provide newcomer settlement services
for the Thunder Bay region.
The Ministry approved the "one-stop shop" approach to immigrant
and refugee services. It only makes sense to have all of the
services for newcomers whether immigrant or refugee located under
one roof. Newcomers to Canada can get help with settlement and
integration needs such as finding housing, registering children in
school, health care needs, immunization, job search and language
needs all in one place. Immigrants and refugees can have their
language proficiency tested and be placed in an appropriate class
to learn English, have documents translated, access the services of
an interpreter, develop their resume and job search skills as well
as learning about taxes, tenant issues, winter health, find a
tutor, and referral to other services they may need. Many of their
needs can now be met in one place.
DOORS to New Life Refugee Centre is the Diocesan Office of
Refugee Services. It is supported locally by the Roman Catholic
Diocese. TBMA is the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association, a
non-denominational immigrant serving organization that is run by a
board of directors representing the various ethnic populations and
organizations in the city. Both organizations are non-profit
agencies seeking to serve the community.
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