Navigating Settlement Resources, Information & Services for Refugees and Newcomers
September 25, October 2 & October 9, 2026 | 6:30–8:30 PM
163 Queen Street, Toronto | Hybrid: In-Person & Zoom
About the Training
Are you passionate about helping refugees and newcomers in your community access the right information, resources, and services safely, easily, and in a timely manner?
Do people in your community regularly approach you for help finding housing, immigration information, health care, legal assistance, financial benefits, mental health supports, or other settlement services?
Would you like to strengthen your knowledge and practical skills so that you can better support your peers while understanding the boundaries and responsibilities of a Community Peer Navigator?
Hope for Refugees International (HRI) is offering a three-part Trainer-of-Trainers Workshop Series on Settlement Service Navigation for refugees, newcomers, peer leaders, volunteers, and community members interested in becoming part of HRI’s Community Peer Navigation and Support Group.
The training will equip participants with practical knowledge, tools, referral pathways, and trauma-informed approaches for helping refugees and newcomers navigate essential settlement resources, information, and services.
The workshops are offered through HRI’s Empower & Connect Friday Initiative, a peer-to-peer support initiative that creates safe and welcoming spaces where refugees and newcomers can share experiences, build supportive relationships, receive mentorship, strengthen their knowledge, and connect to essential community resources and services.
What Will the Workshops Cover?
1. Understanding Settlement Services & the Role of a Community Peer Navigator
Participants will explore the settlement journey and common challenges refugees and newcomers experience when trying to find and access services. The training will introduce HRI, the Empower & Connect Initiative, and the role, responsibilities, boundaries, and ethical expectations of Community Peer Navigators.
Participants will learn the important distinction between providing information and navigation support and providing professional legal, medical, counselling, or other regulated advice.
2. Navigating Essential Settlement Resources and Services
Participants will learn how to identify and navigate key resources that refugees and newcomers may need, including:
- Immigration and refugee-related information and supports
- Housing, shelters, homelessness prevention, and housing resources
- Legal Aid and community legal services
- Health care, mental health, wellness, HIV and sexual and reproductive health resources
- Income and financial supports, including Ontario Works (OW), ODSP, child and family benefits, and other available community supports
- Employment readiness information and resource
The training will focus on where to find reliable information, how to identify the appropriate service, eligibility considerations, and how to connect people to the right organization or program.
3. Safe, Timely & Effective Referrals
Participants will be introduced to HRI’s existing referral pathways and learn practical steps for making appropriate referrals, including gathering relevant information, identifying client needs, locating suitable services, making warm referrals, documenting referrals appropriately, and following up where necessary.
The workshops will also explore how to recognize urgent or high-risk situations that require immediate escalation rather than routine peer navigation.
4. Trauma-Informed, Culturally Responsive & Survivor-Centred Navigation
Many refugees and newcomers seeking services have experienced displacement, violence, discrimination, trauma, gender-based violence, trafficking, persecution, or significant loss.
Participants will learn foundational approaches for providing peer support that promotes dignity, choice, confidentiality, cultural responsiveness, non-judgment, safety, and respect. The training will also discuss boundaries, informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, and when to seek additional professional support.
5. Using HRI’s Service Navigation Tools & Building a Peer Support Network
Participants will receive an introduction to HRI’s Service Navigation Manual and referral system and learn how these tools can be used to identify appropriate resources and guide community members through available services.
Through practical exercises, scenarios, role plays, and peer discussions, participants will practice responding to common navigation situations and learn how to use HRI’s referral pathways effectively.
The series will also establish a Community Peer Navigation and Support Group, creating an ongoing network through which trained peers can share resources, strengthen referral knowledge, learn from one another, and connect community members with HRI and other appropriate service providers.
Who Should Participate?
This training is intended for refugees, newcomers, community peer leaders, volunteers, community advocates, and people with lived experience who are passionate about supporting other refugees and newcomers.
Participants do not need to be settlement professionals. We particularly welcome individuals who are already trusted within their communities and are frequently approached by peers seeking information, referrals, or assistance navigating services.
Workshop Schedule
The Trainer-of-Trainers program consists of three interconnected workshops, and participants are encouraged to attend all three sessions:
Workshop 1 — Friday, September 25, 2026
Workshop 2 — Friday, October 2, 2026
Workshop 3 — Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM–8:30 PM
Location: 163 Queen Street, Toronto
Format: Hybrid — In-person and virtual participation via Zoom
A culturally appropriate dinner will be provided to in-person participants. PRESTO transportation support will also be available to participants who require assistance travelling to and from the workshops.
Certification & Community Peer Navigation Network
Participants who successfully attend and complete the full three-part workshop series will receive a Community Peer Navigator Certificate of Completion from Hope for Refugees International.
Graduates will also have an opportunity to join HRI’s Community Peer Navigation and Support Group, where trained peers can continue strengthening their knowledge, sharing trusted resources and referral information, and helping refugees and newcomers in their communities connect safely and effectively to appropriate services.
Learn. Connect. Navigate. Support.
Together, we can strengthen community-based navigation so that refugees and newcomers are better able to find the right information, the right resources, and the right services at the right time.
👉 REGISTER HERE:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScslGuokU4xCUlJKQJlcFEG_1BZWJVd-WcXa15owhU2q6TrGQ/viewform