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School Settlement Services

Helping families navigate elementary and secondary school systems.

The Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program helps newcomer families begin school in Canada. Settlement workers connect with newcomer families in both one-to-one and in group settings. They provide important settlement information and help you transition to education in Canada.

Our services are provided through the Settlement and Education Partnership. This partnership includes the YMCA of Three Rivers locations in the Waterloo Region, Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB), Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB), Perth County, Huron County, Avon Maitland District School Board, and Huron Perth Catholic District School Board.

Schools We Serve

School Settlement Workers are available to help each week within the schools listed below.


Schools served in the Waterloo Region District School Board


  • A.R. Kaufman PS

  • Abraham Erb PS

  • Cedarbrae P.S

  • Courtland PS

  • Eastwood Collegiate

  • Empire PS

  • Forest Heights Collegiate

  • Forest Hill PS

  • Franklin PS

  • Galt Collegiate

  • Howard Robertson PS

  • JF Carmichael

  • Laurentian PS

  • Queensmount PS

  • Southridge PS

  • Waterloo Collegiate

  • Welcome Centre

  • Westmount PS

  • Wilson Ave. PS

  • Winston Churchill PS


Schools served in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board


  • Holy Rosary

  • Our Lady of Lourdes

  • Resurrection CSS

  • St. Aloysius CS

  • St. Daniel CS

  • St. John CS

  • St. Mary's CHS


Our Services:

  • Assist newcomer parents and students with their settlement needs

  • Collaborate with school staff to help newcomer students and parents adjust to school in Ontario school system

  • Provide one-one-to-one settlement support to newcomer youth and parents

  • Connect newcomer families to specialised community resources based on their needs

  • Provide group information sessions on settlement topics for newcomer youth and parents, often in partnership with school staff

  • Connect newcomer students to homework clubs, academic support, and after-school activities and clubs

  • Provide orientation about the settlement needs of newcomers for school staff


Contact Us

We offer services online, by phone, and in-person. To book a remote (online or telephone) appointment, visit our online appointment booking portal. To book an in-person appointment, call us at 519-742-8220 or send us an email in your first language.


Program provided in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Program provided in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

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