Settlement & Integration

Immigration > Settlement & Integration

Settlement and Integration

Settling in Quebec

With over 80 years of experience in immigration and resettlement, Ometz is sensitive to the transition process that occurs when moving from one country to another. One of the main tasks of our Settlement and Integration Department is to help facilitate this transition.

Our programs, available to Jewish immigrants and refugees, provide new arrivals with opportunities to gain the knowledge, skills and resources they need to succeed in their new surroundings. One of our popular programs matches newcomers with families who are established in the community. The goal is to provide new immigrants with a greater sense of belonging to the community.

We have language training courses, workshops, outings, Chanukah and other holiday get-togethers, Judaica classes, groups for young people, children’s programming and much more to help connect newcomers with their Jewish culture, identity and their new community.

Other services include information and orientation sessions on various aspects of life in Montreal as well as cultural and educational outings. The Integration program actively encourages clients to participate in other Jewish community organizations and encourages existing Jewish community organizations to reach out to newcomers. Clients and former clients are encouraged to become involved in the planning and implementation of programs and to assume leadership roles.

Ometz's highly skilled team of Settlement Counsellors responds to the immediate concrete needs of new Jewish immigrants. We provide orientation and adaptation to life in Quebec and help you connect to Jewish life and tradition. Exploratory visits can be scheduled, so that our professional staff can meet with visitors to our city who are considering re-locating to Montreal. These services are free of charge.

Settlement counsellors can help with:

Supportive counselling or referrals to other psychosocial support services;
Housing - orienting newcomers to Montreal’s housing market and referring clients to necessary resources;
Navigating the health system and explaining the health care system in Quebec;
Helping to understand the education system, including the Jewish Day School network;
Assistance with job search, training courses, etc. through our employment arm;
Connections to Jewish organizations and agencies;
Referrals to government programs and services;
Advocating on behalf of newcomers when necessary ;
Referrals to translation services;
Referrals to synagogues;
Helping to access the best values for clothing, furniture and food, including where to find discounts and deals, kosher restaurants and stores.