University Settlement Statement on Anti-Asian Racism
University Settlement is dedicated to fostering a culture of acceptance, equality and anti-discrimination. We call on each and every one of us to stand up against racial prejudice and discrimination.
Many have used the pandemic as a vehicle for inciting racist, sexist, anti-Asian sentiment. We reject this racism, xenophobia, and hate and stand with those who have been harmed by all forms of anti-Asian sentiments and acts.
We call on all members of our community to openly condemn ill-informed, biased perspectives, violence, hate and discrimination.
COVID-19: In-Person Services and Programs Resume
Our offices at 23 Grange Road, 720 Spadina Avenue and 6075 Yonge Street are open for limited in-person appointments effective March 7, 2022. Please contact us to make an appointment.
We will continue to provide extensive and robust remote services by telephone and online.
Town Hall Meetings on the Provincial Election
May 17: Decent Work and Income Security
Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Time: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Topic: Decent Work and Income Security
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89706045073 (Zoom ID: 8970 604 5073)
Featured Speakers:
- Deena Ladd, Workers Action Centre
- Sang-Hun Mun, Industrial Accident Victims Group of Ontario
- Devorah Kobluk, Income Security Advocacy Centre
- All candidates in Spadina-Fort York running in the Provincial Election are invited to speak
The event will be provided with simultaneous interpretation in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese and Spanish.
Please join the meeting at 2:45 PM to sort out your language channel and any technical matters.
May 19: Affordable Housing and Community Health
Date: Thursday, May 19, 2022
Time: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Topic: Affordable Housing and Community Health
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87582390728 (Zoom ID: 8758 239 0728)
Featured Speakers:
- Magda Barrera, Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario
- Tom Clement, Co-op Housing Federation of Toronto
- Natalie Mehra, Ontario Health Coalition
- All candidates in University-Rosedale running in the Provincial Election are invited to speak
The event will be provided with simultaneous interpretation in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese and Spanish.
Please join the meeting at 2:45 PM to sort out your language channel and any technical matters.
Presented by the Kensington-Chinatown Local Immigration Partnership Network:
- Access Alliance Community Health Centre
- Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange
- Cecil Community Centre
- Chinese Southeast Asian Legal Clinic
- Kensington-Bellwoods Community Legal Services
- Lillian H. Smith Branch of Toronto Public Library
- St. Stephen’s Community House (The Neighbourhood Group)
- Scadding Court Community Centre
- University Settlement
Improve Your Financial Wellbeing
We offer a range of free services to help low-income Citizens, Permanent Residents, Convention Refugees, Refugee Claimants and Visitors improve financial stability and reduce financial stress.
Counselling and Assistance
We can help you…
- Understand the services and income supports available to make your life easier
- Navigate the application process for Old Age Security, Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program
- Obtain government documents, including Ontario Health Card, Social Insurance Number, Driver’s License, Marriage and Birth Certificates
- Prepare Toronto Community Housing annual rent renewals
- Access other needed services
- File your Income Tax
- Complete forms
We provide…
- Translation of documents
- Interpretation and advocation for clients
- Referrals and other information relating to your situation
For more information, speak to a counsellor:
Maggie Qu (English / Mandarin / Cantonese)
socialservice@universitysettlement.ca
(416) 598-3444 ext. 233 or (647) 617-6657
Tax Clinic and Advice
We offer one-on-one income tax filing services, by appointment only. To make an appointment, please contact:
Maggie Qu (English / Mandarin / Cantonese)
socialservice@universitysettlement.ca
(416) 598-3444 ext. 233 or (647) 617-6657
Financial Relief Navigator
Visit the Prosper Canada website to find out about government COVID-19 financial supports and other relief measures you might qualify for.
Ontario Energy Support Program
Visit the Ontario Energy Board website to learn more about how you might be able to reduce the cost of your household electricity bill by applying for a monthly credit to your bill.
Employment and Support Programs
Are you currently receiving Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support? Our free employment and support programs can help you develop job skills and provide you with the counselling you need to reach your life goals.
Customer Service & Call Centre Certificate Program
Improve your employment skills. Learn how to deliver exceptional customer service. A call centre career offers thousands of progressive positions and opportunities; the first step is usually as a customer service representative.
If you are receiving Ontario Works and looking to enter the job market, our free Customer Service and Call Centre Training Certificate program can provide you with the help you need to get that first position. Approximately 70% of our program participants are successful in finding employment.
Navigating Next Steps
Receive counselling and support to help you achieve your life goals.
This free 8-week program provides people who are receiving Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support with one-on-one online counselling and coaching to give them the tools they need to move forward with their lives.
If you are experiencing isolation and mental health issues, unemployment, and difficulty navigating services, access to food, housing, and financial supports, we can help you.
Free Community Workshops Online
Every month we offer a variety of free online workshops covering employment, technology, personal finance, health, citizenship and arts-related topics.
Welcoming the Year of the Tiger
Collective Artwork Project
To celebrate the Lunar New Year, with strong support of Scadding Court Community Center, University Settlement organized this Collective Artwork Project. We invited community members from all over the GTA to participate in a series of unique co-creation activities. On the one hand, to express the observations and reflections of Chinese people in the pandemic, on the other hand, to substantively work with each other to complete a collective artwork for the Year of the Tiger!
In just six weeks, we created 42 Quilt pieces and 32 hand-written stories, as well as three pieces of Three-and-a half Sentences performances. We digitized all artworks and performances, made videos, created a website and made the performances and Quilt artwork available to everyone without geographical and time restrictions!
Online Lunar New Year Celebration
Friday, January 28
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Online on Zoom
Join our Lunar New Year Celebration with Lion Dance, Collective Artwork Project Exhibit, Chinatown the Best, Music, Poetry, Painting, Dancing, and more…