MNLCT Summer 2023 Newsletter

Hear from LINC Head Teacher Teresa Wiens | Growing LINC classes | New dates for language, mental health, and employment support programs | Happy Retirement, Ines Anderson | Annual General Meeting | Toronto Newcomer Day | Apply for election jobs | Free financial training platform (KOFE) | Extended “Better Together” donation deadline

Victoria Day is the unofficial launch of summer. See what opportunities await you in our Summer newsletter!

Join us in celebrating our 40th anniversary!

Our most recent interview from our 40th Anniversary video series is our LINC Program Head Teacher, Teresa Wiens. She shares her experience in teaching English to adults for more than 20 years and what newcomers should expect when learning English and adapting to living in Canada.

LINC classes growing more diverse

In the spring session of our Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes, students can speak a total of 29 different languages! Spanish is spoken the most (23.81%), followed by Ukrainian (20.63%), Dari/Pashto (7.93%), and Farsi (6.35%).

We are delighted to note that we also assist Ukrainian and Afghani newcomers, who are becoming increasingly prevalent in our student community.

Are you, or someone you know, interested in learning English? Click here for more information about our LINC program.

New sessions are starting in LIGHTS, HOPES, and EXL programs

These free programs for learning English, employment, and entrepreneurship skills are now welcoming new participants.

LIGHTS teaches English through emotional wellbeing activities

The Language Instruction Giving Hope to Trauma Survivors (LIGHTS) program offers both virtual classes via Zoom and in-person at the Keele and Wilson office once a week.

Read more

HOPES provides emotional, social, and coaching assistance for employment

Our Helping Our Newcomers Prepare for Employment Success (HOPES) program provides confidence in job search and entrepreneurship. CLB+5 English proficiency is required.

Read more

EXL helps newcomer entrepreneurs expand their businesses

The Entrepreneurial Excellence and Leadership (EXL) program offers tailored learning, resources, and support, covering business planning, financials, marketing, sales, and mental health support.

Read more

Start Date June 12, 2023

Join Our Next C-Women Cohort

The Bridge for Immigrant Women Reskilling into IT Coding Professions (C-Women) Program supports immigrant women from all professional backgrounds in obtaining working knowledge of coding in Python and testing with Selenium to enter the IT sector in QA Automation.

Click here or the button below to find out more information about the program.

News from our MNLCT Community

Ines going through her retirement gift from the Community Mental Health team

New beginnings for our colleague, Ines Anderson

Our dear colleague, Ines Anderson, retired in April. For the past 7 years, she worked as a Mental Health Counsellor and Project Coordinator for our HOPES and EXL programs. The Community Mental Health team shared this note of gratitude for Ines:

Thanks, Ines.
Working together for all these years…
For your enthusiasm, drive, and upbeat outlook
For your generosity, compassion, and soft smile.
Because of your leadership, wisdom, and skill.
For being here and always giving it your all.
Thank you!

Children of our LIGHTS students making paper tulips

Activities for integration in the LIGHTS program

Participants in our Language Instruction Giving Hope to Trauma Survivors (LIGHTS) program have enjoyed activities such as interactive cooking classes while practicing English through recipes.

In the daycare, the children enjoyed making their own tulips to create a spring garden area on the classroom wall.

Read more about our LIGHTS program here.

Annual General Meeting

Attendees will have a fantastic chance to hear about MNLCT’s programs and services, ongoing strategic plan, and important impacts on the community in 2022 during our annual general meeting, which will be held online on June 21, 2023 at 6 pm.

Look out for our upcoming 2022 Annual Report to read about client successes and stories throughout the year.

May 25, 2023 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Toronto Newcomer Day

At this celebration of Toronto’s diverse communities, newcomers are invited to take part in the activities and entertainment aimed at welcoming newcomers to the city.

We are excited to offer you the chance to consult with our team about our services at this event in person.

Come and say hello to us – we look forward to meeting you!

There are 15,000 open positions in the election

To support the June 2023 mayoral by-election, the City of Toronto is presently hiring for a range of temporary paid roles. Successful candidates will develop their problem-solving, collaboration, and customer service abilities.

New partnership

Free Financial Training

Our new partner, Consolidated Credit Canada, offers financial education and debt relief services through Kofetime.com. You can access free online financial tools and resources such as seminars and interactive training. You can also get individual guidance from a financial coach over the phone.

Limited spots are available.

If you are interested in improving your financial well-being, contact info@mnlct.org or 647-812-1332 for more information or to register.

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Photo: Victoria, British Columbia
Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto (MNLCT)

Serving immigrants and refugees in-person and virtually across Ontario

1774 Queen St East. Toronto, ON M4L 1G7
1122 Finch Ave West, Unit 1, North York, ON M3J 3J5
2737 Keele St, Unit 9, North York, ON M3M 2E9
647-812-1332 | 647-776-2057

info@mnlct.org

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"The Mennonite New Life Centre and its BEMC program came in very handy for me at the lowest ebb of my life by providing a lifeline and I am eternally grateful for that,”

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