Immigrants and Refugees
Imagine arriving in a foreign country, not knowing the local language, and not knowing who can help you find housing an employment. Your gift to ShareLife is helping immigrants and refugees establish a new life in Canada.
The cause
At least
528
newcomers were welcomed to Canada by the Office of Refugees of the Archdiocese of Toronto in 2019, with 532 resettlements initiated.
Nearly
4,000
people received resettlement services from Catholic Crosscultural Services last year– 500 more than the year before.
Since
2015
An influx of Syrian refugees has arrived in Canada. ShareLife agencies are providing ongoing settlement support no longer covered by government funding.
How your donation makes a difference:
“Without you, ShareLife could not fulfill its mission to Live the Gospel by providing for those in need. Together we are making a real difference!”
— Cardinal Thomas Collins
Stories of inspiration
Proud to be living in Canada
Forced to leave their home country, the Dia Desso family found safety through the generosity of ShareLife supporters like you
Learning English saved her life
How language classes helped Angie find safety
She realized her life was in danger
How Jane rebuilt her life in Canada
Agency spotlights
Catholic Crosscultural Services
Catholic Crosscultural Services (CCS) provides immigrants and refugees with a number of services to make transition and integration to their new life in Canada easier. Programs include settlement counselling, English language instruction, job search, settlement and education partnership in Toronto, Violence Against Women (VAW), mental health and wellbeing, as well as Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP).
Catholic Community Services of York Region
CCSYR is a Family Service Agency offering counselling and educational group services to help people cope with mental health needs, parenting issues and relationship challenges. CCSYR is also a Settlement Agency, assisting immigrants and refugees in over 30 languages
Office of Refugees of the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT)
ORAT helps resettle refugees from overseas to Canada through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program of the Archdiocese of Toronto. The office works with parishes and religious orders to help newcomers settle and integrate into Canadian society.