Settlement Supports

Settlement Assistance – the Colchester Immigration Partnership

The Colchester Immigration Partnership is a volunteer committee that has been active in the region since 2003. Many of the volunteers are immigrants themselves who have first hand experience with the process of settling in a new community. The partnership works to provide settlement supports to newcomers and has been active in a range of Welcoming Community initiatives aimed at making Colchester a more welcoming and inclusive place to live.

Partnership members are currently working in support of Colchester Diversity Week; June 29- July 5, 2008 as well as a range of other activities aimed at supporting and celebrating diversity in all it’s forms.

Work is also underway to bring together a community-based partnership comprised of service clubs and faith-based organizations who will work together to sponsor refugee families or individuals.

If you would like to know more about the work of the Colchester Immigration Partnership or would like to get involved, contact CoRDA at 893-0140 or via e-mail at [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] 

Newcomers Resource Centre

A one-stop information station for newcomers to Colchester or those interested in immigrating to Colchester. Here you can find information on educational programs offered in the region accommodations (housing and rentals) and things to do. Visit to pick up your copy of the Colchester Newcomers Guide Newcomers Guide.pdf

The New Friends Program

This program matches newcomers with volunteers within the community who act as resources in the settlement and adaptation process - helping to connect you to community resources and other members of the community

Cross-Cultural Awareness Program

This program’s objective is to assist front-line service providers such as hospitals, employment counselors, banks and municipal offices in becoming more aware of the benefits of cross-cultural sensitivity.

Front-line service providers are provided training, through a one half-day workshop led by trained facilitators who have first-hand knowledge of the newcomer experience. The workshop examines:

• Canadian cultural norms and our assumptions about other cultures
• How Canadian values and norms might differ with the values and norms of other cultures
• What impact that has on our ability to provide services and support to people from different backgrounds.

English Training

Offered through the Colchester Adult Learning Association (CALA), a partner of the Colchester Regional Development Agency.

Contact CALA at: [email protected]

Additional resources can be found at http://misa.ns.ca/english_courses.php

Volunteer Translators

Volunteers are available in the community to provide basic translation service in the following languages: Arabic, Farsi, French, Dutch, German, Korean, Polish, Spanish, Ukrainian, and others.

Other helpful immigration links on our site:

Employment Opportunities
Education
Housing