Refugee claimant services in Manitoba
For a complete and updated list of refugee claimant services, please go to Services and supports for refugee claimants in Winnipeg compiled by the Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations (MANSO).
There is help for housing, employment, health, language and other services are available for refugee claimants in Manitoba.
Community members, friends, and faith communities who sponsor refugees provide support in partnership with Settlement Provider Organizations (SPOs). There are SPOs who mainly serve refugees and newcomers to Canada, but there are also those who serve all newcomers to Manitoba, including temporary or permanent residents, and Canadian citizens.
The complete list of services may be accessed from the link above. This article highlights the main organizations who offer services from sponsorship services (supports for those who wish to resettle refugees) to various settlement services for refugee claimants:
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Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council/Welcome Place
MIIC/Welcome Place is Manitoba’s largest refugee settlement agency. Their programs include sponsorship assistance, settlement services, temporary accommodations, and various training programs.
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Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM)
IRCOM provides long-term, affordable, and safe housing together with settlement services. There are two IRCOM houses in Winnipeg, one in Ellen Street at the edge of Winnipeg’s Exchange District and another one at the corner of Ross and Isabel. Its suite of services include asset and capacity building programs, literacy training, as well as childcare and after-school programs, among others.
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New Journey Housing
A resource center for housing in Manitoba, with focus on Winnipeg. They provide assistance and resources to guide newcomers to rent or buy housing, and manage their money. The organization also connects refugee claimants with Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) and other benefits.
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West Central Women’s Resource Centre
The agency focuses on services for newcomer women and gender diverse individuals regardless of immigration status. They provide settlement and housing supports including one-on-one settlement support to women and families, English conversation circles, gender-based violence support, employment services, workshops, and events.
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Healthy Muslim Families
This organization assists refugee claimants in submitting their claims and getting legal representation.
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Naomi House & House of Peace
Naomi House provides short term, transitional housing. House of Peace provides the same but geared for newcomer women for up to two years.
English Online
We provide English language training and settlement information to refugees and permanent residents. We have a variety of informal language classes which includes conversation circles and seminars all held online.
Here’s a list of other informal language programs in Winnipeg: Informal training options.
Community Resources
Attend the Refugee Claimant Information Hub where four local newcomer serving agencies discuss supports that can be provided for refugee claimants. The sessions will have a question and answer portion followed by a workshop on various newcomer-specific topics.
- Mondays – The Refugee Claim Process – Welcome Place and Healthy Muslim Families
- Thursdays -Newcomer Services and Life Skills – Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute (CMWI)
- Fridays – Rental Housing – New Journey Housing
The information hub is held at The Chapel, 180 Henry Street, from 9:30 to 11:30 am.