Ukrainian newcomers who arrive under the CUAET pathway are eligible to access English/French as a Second Language and language assessments and other language supports.

The first step toward registering for ESL classes will be to have your English language skills assessed. You can email the assessment centre at ysla@achev.ca or call 1-855-330-8655 to set up the assessment. After that, they can sign up for English classes which are held throughout Durham.  Here are the registration phone numbers for the different locations:

Ajax English classes: 289-481-1336

Clarington English classes: 905-623-6505 or 705-760-1814

Oshawa English classes: 905-440-4489

Pickering English classes: 905-831-3118

Whitby English classes: 905-666-1255

Second Career Program by the Government of Ontario

If approved for Second Career, you can receive up to $28,000 for a maximum 52 week training program. Second Career is a cost-sharing grant based on need, so you may have to pay part of the costs yourself. The support calculation is different for each person. Factors include your household income, expenses and how many dependents you have.

Durham Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) -
905-686-2661 or 905-903-0590 (Ukrainian and Russian speaking)

Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) is a program for newcomer families that is available in all elementary and secondary schools in Durham. It connects newcomer families to services and resources within the school and community.

Durham District School Board

Contact: Monique Muller at monique.muller@ddsb.ca

Registration: https://www.ddsb.ca/en/our-schools/our-schools.aspx

This online registration page allow you to identify your particular municipality and school!  If you’re having trouble, there are settlement workers that can help you.  To contact them, use this link: https://www.ddsb.ca/en/family-and-community-support/newcomer-support.aspx. Even translation is available!

Existing students and newcomers will also have access to well-being support. To learn more about these supports: https://www.ddsb.ca/en/family-and-community-support/your-well-being-matters.aspx

Lastly, if you’re an adult 18+ and interested in learning more about Continuing Education: https://www.ddsb.ca/en/programs-and-learning/adult-and-continuing-education.aspx

https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/index.aspx 

If you are considering or know of a family or individual moving to Durham shortly, here are a list of services to help plan their transition:

• There are many free supports available in Durham Region for newcomers
• Your first step is to book an appointment with a Settlement Worker. To learn more about this agency supporting newcomers: www.cdcd.org.  
• Settlement workers can help with school, housing, employment support and other needs to ensure your transition is successful. This is a free service and is specifically for newcomers.

For families with children wanting to attend a Catholic school in Durham

• Visit: https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/index.aspx  or visit the school in the community the family lives in to register.
• Elementary and Secondary Schools also have supports in place: https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/programs-services/Social-Work-Services.aspx  
• The mental health supports include Social Workers in every school, for students in grades K to 12 and their families. These services can be accessed by speaking with the administrator at your child's school, or via the Social Work Access Line: https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/programs-services/Social-Work-Services.aspx  
• There are many services available through the Student Services department for students who may have special education or mental health needs. Again, you can talk to your school administrator about accessing these services, as appropriate: https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/parents/special-education-and-inclusion.aspx?_mid_=128363

For adult newcomers who need English Language Support:

• Adult (students over 18 years of age) programs English as a Second Language (ESL & LINC): https://www.con-ed.ca/en/english-language-classes/adult-english-as-a-second-language-.aspx
• Before joining a class, you will need to book a language assessment.  Assessment appointments are available in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby & Oshawa:   https://achev.ca/service/language-assessment-services-york-durham-simcoe/

• On site language assessments, childcare, transportation assistance and technology lending may also be available for those who qualify 
• There is no religious requirement for the adult LINC/ESL programs.  All are welcome.

Durham College

Contacts: 

• Aldo Mendizabal, Manager International Recruitment at Aldo.Mendizabal@durhamcollege.ca
• Thom MacDonald at Thom.Macdonald@durhamcollege.ca 
• Janine Knight-Grofe at Janine.Knight-Grofe@durhamcollege.ca 

Durham College has a long history of providing integrated support services for students in need, including those impacted by world events and humanitarian efforts, to address food insecurity, physical and mental well-being, emergency housing and more. In response to the situation in Ukraine, DC will also offer the following assistance to international students impacted by the humanitarian constraints:

• International tuition relief bursaries valued at a maximum of C$15,000 each and available to accepted & registered full-time international students.
• Emergency bursaries providing financial assistance for non-tuition expenses, including lodging, food, transportation and more.
• Access to ten fully-subsidized on-campus residence accommodations for those impacted by the unrest in the Ukraine, including students and families transitioning to Canada.

https://durhamcollege.ca/app-notification/durham-colleges-support-for-ukraine

Durham College’s interactive 2022-2023 International View Book is a resource that provides detailed information about all that Durham College (DC) has to offer as a global destination for post-secondary education. 

Once a student joins the DC community, they have access to holistic support network to ease their transition into the academic community and find success as a student. These services are enhanced to provide ongoing community and wraparound support for Ukrainian Students and includes; community engagement activities, food security and housing resources, academic support, and mental health care packages (blankets, hygiene kits, resource information, grocery gift cards, and DC SWAG).

https://ontariotechu.ca/index.php

As of April 12, 2022 we have 3 students who are Ukrainian citizens on campus. Ontario Tech U is working on a special admissions contact for students to help them navigate the system more easily. The university has approved an international emergency bursary for students from Ukraine. There are 10 CAD$20,000 bursaries available for students transferring to Canada because of the war.  Students must be citizens of Ukraine, and have been students at a Ukrainian institution before the war (so students living in Canada before the war are not eligible). The $20,000 bursary is renewable annually for a maximum of 4 years as long as students are in a full-time course loan and are in clear academic standing. Students who may be eligible for this bursary should reach out to the Student Awards and Financial Aid office for further information at connect@ontariotechu.ca

For students who are interested in transferring to Ontario Tech from a university in Ukraine, they can reach out to futureinternational@ontariotechu.ca  Students must contact the university directly to be eligible for the emergency bursary.

Contact: Kevin Maina kmaina@trentu.ca
Details to be announced.