History

Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services history started in 1973 as PIAS-T (Polish Immigrant Aid Services-Toronto). In 1993 PIAST merged with PCSS (Polish Community Social Services) under the name of Polish Immigrant and Community Services. In 2000, the name was changed to Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services to better reflect the services provided to the many different language and cultural groups being served in the GTA.

PICS is today a dynamic and service- focused multicultural and multiracial organization that works with all immigrant communities in its six locations across the GTA.

PICS serve clients in more than 30 languages in six different locations across the GTA.

At each of our four campuses are settlement workers who provide valuable information to newcomers about social services programs, housing, healthcare, and immigration and settlement issues normally faced by newcomers; they also make referrals to other community services as necessary. We offer interpretation and translations services, and PICS certifies documents and affidavits. We also offer access to information through our Resource Centre, where clients can 'brush up' on their computer skills and gain access to information, conduct job search and connect to other services they might need.

We run several support groups for community members and provide workshops for Ontario Works clients. As well, PICS offers language instruction through our Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program; classes are offered at all locations and the services range from levels 1 to 7 language training.

PICS also offers two relatively new initiatives; firstly, the Multicultural Settlement and Education Partnership (MSEP) Program in Peel in partnership with the Peel and the Dufferin Peel Boards of Education. MSEP is an initiative designed to assist newcomers with integration into Canadian life. This initiative places Settlement Workers in elementary and secondary schools that have high numbers of newcomer students to assist the families and students in their integration into the school and community. Secondly, the Enhanced Language Training (ELT) Program for internationally trained professionals. The goal for this program is to help foreign trained and highly skilled individuals find and retain employment in their designated field. PICS also offers child-minding services onsite which is available to those parents who want to attend our programs and do not have access to other daycare services.

PICS has been around for many years and we continually respond and adapt to the needs of our community and newcomers. PICS is supported by the Government of Canada, Ontario and the City of Toronto.