Diaspora North

Resources  ·  Raise a Family

Programs for newcomer youth

Whether your child is 5 or 25, Northern Ontario has free programs that connect them to mentors, paid summer opportunities, leadership training, and small grants for their own ideas. Most are open to newcomers regardless of immigration status.

Big Brothers Big Sisters & BGC (mentorship)

Two national charities running free 1-on-1 and group mentorship for kids and teens. Newcomers are explicitly a priority audience — many local chapters have settlement-specific matching.

  • BBBS Thunder Bay — bbbs-tb.ca · 1-on-1 mentorship for ages 6–16
  • BBBS of Greater Sudbury — bbbsudbury.com
  • BGC Thunder Bay (Boys & Girls Club) — drop-in clubs, after-school programs, leadership groups
  • BGC Sudbury + locations in Sault, North Bay, Timmins

Free or low-cost. Most chapters waive fees on request.

Canada Service Corps — micro-grants for youth projects

Federal program funding youth (ages 12–30) to lead community projects. Grants range from $250 to $1,500, free training, and explicit priority for newcomer youth.

Federation of Black Canadians — Youth Employment Skills (YESS)

National program for Black youth (ages 15–30) — paid internships, skills training, mentorship, mental wellness support.

Federation of Black Canadians →

Apathy is Boring — civic engagement for ages 18–30

National program turning young people into informed voters and civic leaders. Newcomer youth are an explicit priority — workshops, paid opportunities, peer-to-peer networks.

Apathy is Boring →

Junior Achievement — entrepreneurship

National non-profit teaching kids and teens about money management and entrepreneurship through free workshops in schools and after-school programs. JA Northwestern Ontario serves Thunder Bay; JA Northern & Eastern Ontario covers Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie.

Junior Achievement Canada →

Summer jobs — Canada Summer Jobs

Federal program helping employers hire youth (ages 15–30) for paid summer positions. As a newcomer student or recent grad, watch the Job Bank for postings starting February each year.

Canada Summer Jobs →

Scholarships and post-secondary funding

SWIS — Settlement Workers in Schools

SWIS workers are placed inside Northern Ontario schools to help newcomer kids settle in. Free, confidential, no immigration status check. Ask the school office or call Thunder Bay Multicultural Association.

See also our guide to registering kids in school.

Mental health for kids & teens

Kids Help Phone — 1-800-668-6868 · text CONNECT to 686868. Free, 24/7, supports ages 5–29 in 100+ languages via interpreters.

See our mental health guide.

Local services across Northern Ontario

Verified entries from settlement.org and 211 Ontario directories. Confirm hours before visiting.

Greater Sudbury

  • Better Beginnings Sudbury — 450 Morin Avenue, Sudbury. (705) 671-1941. Child-centred prevention programs, family support, and Community Closet serving the Donovan/Flour Mill neighbourhood (French ext. 229).

North Bay

Common newcomer pitfalls

  • Assuming programs cost money or require status. Most are free and don't ask about immigration.
  • Not signing kids up for after-school programs early. BBBS and BGC waiting lists in Northern Ontario can be 6–12 months. Apply now even if you're not ready.
  • Missing summer-job application windows. Canada Summer Jobs postings drop in February for May–August work.
  • Skipping scholarships because they "look hard to apply for." Settlement workers and SWIS staff help with applications for free.

Next steps

  1. Sign up for BBBS or BGC mentorship now (waiting lists are long)
  2. If your youth is 12+, browse Canada Service Corps for micro-grants
  3. If your youth is 15–30, set a Job Bank alert for Canada Summer Jobs in February
  4. Save Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) in their phone

Sources & references: Local services cross-referenced with settlement.org (OCASI's Ontario newcomer directory) and 211 Ontario. Confirm current hours and intake before visiting.

DON'T LIVE NEAR A SETTLEMENT OFFICE?

Call the regional org for your area.

Settlement workers will register you by phone or video and help you find local supports. There's no requirement to live in the same town as the office — these services are funded for all of Northern Ontario.

See all settlement services →

Last reviewed: April 2026. Funding amounts and eligibility update annually — confirm on each program's official page.

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