Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS)

The Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) Program is designed to provide consistent service delivery for newcomer families through local schools. Polycultural has a partnership with Boards of Education deliver settlement services for newcomers at local schools in Mississauga. The main objective of the program is to assist newcomer families to integrate into their school and community by providing information, settlement services, and referral to community agencies from their local school.

• Services provided in elementary and secondary schools in west Mississauga from both school boards: Peel District School Board and Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board

Our settlement workers in schools proactively contact newcomer students and their families to connect them to programs and services available to them in the community. Our information sessions in schools, often offered in partnership with school staff, are specifically designed to introduce newcomer students to the education system in Canada and to support families in the settlement process. Our settlement workers in schools work simultaneously with newcomer students, their parents, and school staff to ensure that there's a support system in place for successful learning experience. 

Peel District School Board

Oakridge Public School, Mississauga Secondary School, Thorn Lodge Public School, Meadowvale Secondary School, Erindale Secondary School, Churchill Meadows Public School, John Fraser Secondary School, Artesian Drive Public School, Streetsville Secondary School, Oscar Peterson Public School, Ruth Thompson Middle School, Edenwood Middle School, Stephen Lewis Secondary School, Middlebury Public School, Thomas Street Middle School

Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Secondary School,  St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School, St. Joan of Arc Secondary School,  Divine Mercy Elementary School

Eligibility criteria: Permanent residents of Canada who have not become citizens, protected persons as defined in Section 95 of IRPA, individuals who have been selected to become permanent residents and have been informed by letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Convention Refugees, Live-in Caregivers who have been approved for a work permit or already have a work permit. Other immigrants can be assisted as well.

Funding source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada- Resettlement Program and Ministry of Education; No fees are charged from clients for services provided.

Sites of program delivery

• 2225 Erin Mills Pkwy, Mississauga ON