“Don’t forget about me” – Connections with Government Assisted Refugees and Asylum Seekers
The Child Welfare Immigration Centre of Excellence (CWICE) has been expanding its outreach efforts to meet newly arrived families where they are—literally. In recent months, CWICE teams have been visiting hotels temporarily housing asylum seekers as well as continuing to meet with newly arrived Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs). We offer discussions about parenting in Canada, an overview of system navigation, and engage in many discussions answering parents’ individualized questions. We know this provides families with critical information, fosters institutional trust, and opens doors to support services.
Purpose and Approach
Since 2016, CWICE has seen the benefits of early intervention through presentations in welcome reception centres. Many GARs and asylum seekers arrive in Canada facing a complex mix of challenges—navigating immigration processes, understanding Canadian systems, and adjusting to new cultural and social norms. CWICE’s outreach sessions are designed to bridge gaps in knowledge and access, ensuring that families and individuals are aware of their rights, responsibilities, and the services available to them.
These presentations, often delivered in partnership with resettlement agencies and conducted with simultaneous translation to many languages at the same time, use visual aids and interactive discussion. Topics covered include:
• Understanding the child welfare system in Ontario
• Rights and protections for children, youth, and families
• Available community support for housing, health, and education
• How CWICE can provide specialized support in immigration-related child welfare matters
The Region of Peel Context
Within the Region of Peel, as with several other GTA communities, 1 in 2 people were born outside Canada. With Pearson International Airport within the jurisdiction, the Region of Peel welcomes newly arrived families every day. As a result, the Region of Peel has taken significant steps to welcome and enhance support for asylum seekers. In February 2025, they opened the first Ontario-based Reception Centre, funded by IRCC, designed specifically for refugee claimants/asylum seekers. It is Canada's largest dedicated shelter for asylum claimants aged 16 and over and offers up to 90 days of temporary accommodation integrated services. The facility serves up to 680 individuals in dormitory‑style accommodations and includes amenities such as cafeteria, lockers, laundry, showers, prayer rooms, meeting spaces, and case management to help transition claimants into housing independence. The CWICE team toured the centre earlier this year and has met with COSTI staff operating support services. We are excited to develop ongoing relationships and partnerships with their on-site teams and clients.
In June 2025, Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services opened its new dedicated welcome centre for GARs. This is the first purpose-built shelter in Mississauga, for GARs, and provides temporary housing for about 3 weeks upon arrival in Canada. Settlement staff offer comprehensive resettlement support, including rapid school enrollment for children, language training, employment assistance, healthcare navigation, and connections to permanent housing and other settlement providers if families move outside of Peel Region. CWICE continues to present to families in this reception centre and has a longstanding positive partnership with Polycultural.
Creating Safe Spaces for Dialogue
Reception centres and hotel settings have offered a familiar, low-barrier environment for participants. By engaging in their temporary place of residence, CWICE staff reduce the intimidation that often accompanies formal service settings. The atmosphere encourages open dialogue, allowing attendees to ask sensitive questions, share personal concerns, and seek clarification in a supportive environment. CWICE staff remain on site following presentations and families have the opportunity for one-on-one consultation if needed.
Rosario Elmy, who leads our outreach connections in Peel Region, was on site at a hotel and met a man following a presentation. He shared that he and his wife were newly arrived. They had recently welcomed their first children – multiples – and were in need of support. They would be living in temporary accommodation with their newborns and are embarking on their asylum claim. This was an overwhelming time for the couple, and he shared they were tired, and in need of help. He repeated several times– Please Don’t Forget About Me / Us – which reflects their current state. His message stayed with us and inspired this article. It is critical as service providers that we remain aware and responsive of needs and the new innovating programs available for families.
Impact and Early Outcomes
Verbal feedback from both GAR and asylum seeker participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Many attendees express relief at understanding how to access services without fear, while partner settlement agencies share these sessions help prevent crises by addressing concerns as early as possible. We have engaged Peel Children’s Aid Foundation many times over the years, to offer donated items to individual families or reception centres. Examples of donations include household supplies such as laundry detergent, items like winter clothing, and also games for children and youth of all ages.
Looking Ahead
As Peel continues to strengthen its infrastructure and capacity, CWICE remains a vital bridge—delivering trusted information and building connections between newly arrived families and the supports available to them.
Our family-centred outreach presentations have expanded to include topics such as mental health support, navigating the education system, and connecting with cultural community networks. To enhance our services, we will soon introduce an outreach evaluation tool in multiple key languages, allowing families to share feedback that will guide ongoing improvements to our programs. We also recognize that many children attend presentations alongside their parents. To support their experience, CWICE will be offering activities that engage children through fun and play while their families take part in learning sessions.
By bringing information directly to refugees and newcomers, CWICE helps ensure that settlement in Canada begins with safety, clarity, and meaningful connection. Looking ahead, we are developing a strategy to extend outreach across Ontario, recognizing that families continue to arrive in communities throughout the province and across Canada.
For further information, please connect with us at: cwice@peelcas.org
About the Authors:
Rosario Elmy is currently an Immigration Specialist with the Child Welfare Immigration Centre of Excellence at Peel CAS. She has worked with Peel CAS for 13 years and during this time, has had the opportunity to work in various departments with the agency as a Family Placement Worker, Case Conference Facilitator, Community Engagement Presenter and Refugee Response Project. Rosario is dedicated to servicing families and children experiencing immigration and settlement issues.
Danielle Ungara (she/her) is a Registered Social Worker and a dedicated leader known for her creativity, and commitment to excellence and equity in practice. As CWICE Manager, Danielle has brought innovative thinking and strategic leadership to the Centre of Excellence since its inception.
