Community Resources for York Region -- Markham/Newmarket

Markham Community Service Centre

Early Years Services – include parent-child activities such as reading circles and physical activities, school readiness training, educational workshops on parenting and health, and recreation and interest programs such as family picnic.

Children and Youth Services – provide an after school program to support learning for new immigrant students. Programs for life skills training and leadership training are also available.

Employment Services – include job search workshops, professional development, resource centres, employment counseling, pre-employment training courses, and resume writing and interview skills clinics.

Settlement Services – provide assistance in interpretation and translation, information and referral, needs assessment, group sessions for social and networking support, and resources for integration into the community. One-to-one service with a settlement counselor is available.

Markham YMCA
Programs include crafts and games, dance, family fitness, parent-child activities such as board games and reading, martial arts, sports and games, and family gym where families get involved in physical activity together with the support of the staff. It also provides a youth program that teaches health, wellness and fitness, as well as a leadership training program.

Under the Banyan Tree
This charity provides personalized training for individuals with developmental abilities, organizes social programs with specific learning objectives, weekend social clubs for children, music therapy groups, drama therapy, and also body movement therapy.

Social Services Network (for South Asian Community)

Cultural Preservation and Integration – prepare families for cultural integration

Family Programs – they provide development and learning through play groups and reading circles, school readiness training, and also parent-child activities. Their programs also provide family counseling and education to prevent violence against women.

Settlement Services – provides translation and assists access to services. Language training programs for new immigrants, citizens and refugees are available. Workshops for job searching, integration in the community, and settlement-related topics such as education, health, housing, employment and taxation are offered.

Youth Programs – include programs such as leadership, life skills training, self-expression and public speaking, after school programs, pre-employment readiness training, etc.

COSTI

The programs include employment services for new immigrants, ESL training, housing and settlement services, family counseling and mental health services, help specific for women and seniors, as well as translation and interpretation services.

York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program
The program focuses on prevention, early identification and treatment of speech and language problems. Speech language pathologists and communicative disorders assistants provide parent education workshops, assessment, home programs, and transition planning with the York Region School Boards.

One Parent Families Association of Canada
This organization provides guidance and assistance for single families. It provides programs of group activities and recreational activities where single parents and children share experiences with others with similar experiences.

Down Syndrome Association of York Region
Chatterboxes – a program led by a speech/language pathologist and an occupational therapist for children from senior kindergarten to Gr.2. Children interact with others with similar skill levels, and parents are provided with hands-on approach and tools to help their kids.

Music Therapy – the program is divided into sessions for different age groups, ranging from 2 to 12 years old, where they get to practice social skills and build self-esteem while engaging in singing and dancing.

Family Services York Region
It include child anger management program, a program to help children surviving parents’ divorce, teen anger management, etc. It also offers courses for adults in stress, anger management and parenting.

Big Brothers Big Sisters
The association offers programs that connect children with older children and adults with the mission of providing positive role models through mentoring and making friends. Programs include in-school mentoring, activity nights, homework club, sports, arts and crafts, etc.