HOPES Program (Helping Our Newcomers Prepare for Employment Success)

Do you feel discouraged & confused about your career development, and employment prospects in Canada? Join us for this unique employment program & learn how to:

• Redefine your career, employment goals and /or explore entrepreneurship options within a new cultural context and take your first steps forward!
• Take advantage of ongoing counselling and support from employment agencies and programs.
• Integrate successfully into the workforce.

How does HOPES work?

Designed especially for newcomers, the program runs for eight weeks and flows through 3 phases:

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING

Manage Culture Shock and Know Yourself

Learn to recognize signs of confusion, disorientation, & unease to better adjust to your new surroundings.

Discover how you manage transitions & identify personal qualities to support adapting to changing circumstances.

Decrease Stress & Increase Hope

Develop emotional & behavioural strategies to address stressors & develop a positive outlook on challenges ahead.

GROUP WORKSHOPS

Clarify your Goals

Redefine your employment goals based on your strengths & talents, & identify barriers & areas for further development. Understand your values & beliefs, & identify your ideal work environment.

Design your Action Plan

Learn planning strategies & identify resources to implement your plan for successful integration in the Ontario economy toward employment and financial security.

Build Empowerment

Bring ownership to your job search & feel empowered to get the job you want.

EMPLOYMENT AGENCY CONNECTIONS & COACHING

Make Community Connections

Get support to continue with your job plan. Be referred to organizations & programs in the community that can help you advance toward employment.

Stay Focused

Take advantage of continued career advice & emotional support to stay motivated & execute your action plan.

Who is Eligible?

This program will benefit newcomers who:

• are struggling to find employment appropriate to
  their education, skills, and experience; or want to develop their own business
• need individual support for resettlement stress
• are looking for personal and organizational
  connections within the community
• have job-ready English communication skills (CLB 5 +)
• are able to commit time to each component of the program to work towards their goals
• are permanent resident, conventional refugee, citizen or refugee claimant

Workshops are limited to 2o participants.

WHAT IS THE COST?

It’s FREE to eligible participants! TTC tokens and light refreshments are available for the four Group Workshops.

WHEN/WHERE IS THE HOPES PROGRAM?

Counselling:  MNLCT offices

Workshops: TBD @ our Victoria Park computer room

Employment Coaching: MNLCT offices and partner agencies across the GTA

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IN HOPES?

Contact Ines Anderson (ianderson@mnlct.org) at  (647) 776-2057 x 3312  to set up your intake interview!

WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS HAVE SAID ABOUT HOPES

 “The first time I was suggested to think about a career change I felt really mad! After this experience, I can see that change might be an opportunity to growth”
– Michelle, participant

“This program gave me the drive to make a decision. It’s been a while that I’m thinking in studying. After this program I made an advance and talked to someone and I’m thinking in changing my schedule at work”
– Luis, participant

“During the last months I have been feeling sad and angry without any apparent reason. After learning the transition process, I can understand better myself and my ups and downs”
– Karina, participant

HOPES is an initiative of Building Strengths for Work funded by United Way Greater Toronto