Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization

Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization has been providing comprehensive settlement and integration services to the Ottawa community since 1978.
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OCISO’s award-winning programs include community integration, public education, mental health counselling, school based programs, and English language instruction to newcomers. OCISO directly serves about 11,000 immigrants and refugees every year. We have four locations in Ottawa (central, south, and east). Our multi-faceted programs and services are delivered in over 50 languages to clients from 120 countries by OCISO’s team of knowledgeable, skilled and professional staff. Our work is augmented by the generous efforts of our enthusiastic, caring and talented volunteers, both established and new Canadians. Our services:
Settlement counselling, job search workshops, employment mentoring, immigrant women support, housing support, legal aid, English language training, counselling for individuals, families and couples, support for students, families and school administration, immigrant youth support, ESL summer camps, crosscultural education, and community activities and events.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at OCISO! May your day be joyful and bright.
12/25/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at OCISO! May your day be joyful and bright.

Please note that the OCISO office will be closed starting at 12 PM on December 24 and will reopen on January 2.Wishing e...
12/24/2025

Please note that the OCISO office will be closed starting at 12 PM on December 24 and will reopen on January 2.

Wishing everyone a peaceful holiday season filled with warmth, kindness, and meaningful connection.

OCISO was pleased to attend a community pancake breakfast with MPP John Fraser in Ottawa South. It was a great opportuni...
12/22/2025

OCISO was pleased to attend a community pancake breakfast with MPP John Fraser in Ottawa South. It was a great opportunity to connect and engage in meaningful conversations with community members.

🎄✨ You’re Invited to OCISO’s Holiday Party! ✨🎄Join us for a joyful and welcoming holiday celebration for the whole famil...
12/16/2025

🎄✨ You’re Invited to OCISO’s Holiday Party! ✨🎄

Join us for a joyful and welcoming holiday celebration for the whole family — adults, children, and youth are all welcome! Let’s come together as a community to relax, have fun, and celebrate the season 🎉

📅 Thursday, December 18
⏰ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 1800 Bank Street, 3rd Floor

🎉 What’s happening?
- Fun activities for all ages
- Games, contests, and prizes
- Ugly or Fun Sweater Contest — wear your most creative (or funniest!) sweater

🔗 Register here: https://forms.gle/V8JqKyuCW3U4DEoL8

We can’t wait to celebrate with you — see you there! 🎄💛

What a meaningful day of connection and shared learning! �Over the past weekend, OCISO joined the Ottawa Chinese Communi...
12/09/2025

What a meaningful day of connection and shared learning! �
Over the past weekend, OCISO joined the Ottawa Chinese Community Services Centre and the City of Ottawa Community and Arts Program for a powerful cultural exchange at the Billings Estate National Historic Site, hosted by Isaruit Inuit Arts. This special event brought together newcomer seniors and youth learning about the original stewards of this land through art, story, and community.

Ottawa Chinese Community Service Center | Jewish Family Services of Ottawa | City of Ottawa

What an incredible celebration at our annual OCISO Staff Event! 🎉From start to finish, the day was filled with connectio...
12/05/2025

What an incredible celebration at our annual OCISO Staff Event! 🎉

From start to finish, the day was filled with connection, appreciation, and lots of laughter. We kicked things off with warm welcomes and fun icebreakers, followed by inspiring remarks from our CEO Mary Roman, who reminded us that teamwork is the foundation of everything we do.

✨ We celebrated our long-service staff — including several who have dedicated over 30 years to OCISO!
✨ We enjoyed team activities, games, and plenty of great food.
✨ And of course, the Fun Awards were a highlight — especially the much-anticipated “I Need a Vacation” Award,” claimed by four very deserving colleagues ⛱️
✨ We wrapped up with photos, smiles, and lots of good memories.

Thank you to every OCISO staff member for bringing your energy, heart, and commitment to our community. You are what makes this organization so special. 💛

On December 1, OCISO was honoured to receive the Alfonso García Robles Award from the National Autonomous University of ...
12/05/2025

On December 1, OCISO was honoured to receive the Alfonso García Robles Award from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) UNAM Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

This prestigious award, named after Nobel Peace Prize laureate and renowned diplomat Alfonso García Robles, recognizes exceptional commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of migrants in vulnerable situations. We are grateful to be acknowledged among organizations advancing dignity, safety, and justice for newcomers.

Thank you to the UNAM representatives who joined us for the award presentation and photo ceremony, and to our Management Team for being part of this meaningful moment.

We remain committed to welcoming, supporting, and empowering refugees and immigrants in our community. ✨

🌍 Today, we join communities around the world in recognizing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) —...
12/03/2025

🌍 Today, we join communities around the world in recognizing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) — a day to celebrate the contributions, strength, and resilience of persons with disabilities, and to reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive society.

This year, the 2025 theme highlights inclusive financing and its power to transform lives. When financial systems, services, and supports are accessible to everyone, persons with disabilities can better access healthcare, education, employment, and opportunities to thrive. Inclusive financing benefits not only individuals — it strengthens families, communities, and society as a whole.

At OCISO, we remain committed to creating programs and services that promote dignity, equity, and belonging for people of all abilities.

✨ Inclusion is not optional — it’s essential.

🌟 Happy Giving Tuesday! 🌟This year, we are excited to show you the difference your support makes for newcomers in Ottawa...
12/02/2025

🌟 Happy Giving Tuesday! 🌟

This year, we are excited to show you the difference your support makes for newcomers in Ottawa. Explore our interactive map to see where OCISO has touched lives across the city, and watch our year-in-review video to meet the families, youth, and newcomers whose lives have been transformed.

📍 Explore our interactive impact map: https://ow.ly/Lw8J50Xm9q6
🎥 Watch our year-in-review video: https://ow.ly/Fh2z50Xm9qb

Ready to make a difference? Donate today and help newcomers build confidence, skills, and futures in Canada: https://ow.ly/vEaw50Xm9q4

Repost to spread the impact!

December is AIDS Awareness Month — a time to educate, reduce stigma, and show support for people living with HIV/AIDS. T...
12/01/2025

December is AIDS Awareness Month — a time to educate, reduce stigma, and show support for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Together, through compassion and awareness, we can build a more informed and supportive community.

🌍💙 Today on World Children’s Day, we celebrate the rights, voices, and potential of every child. At OCISO, our Youth Ser...
11/20/2025

🌍💙 Today on World Children’s Day, we celebrate the rights, voices, and potential of every child.

At OCISO, our Youth Services and Care for Newcomer Children (CNC) program provide safe, supportive spaces where newcomer children and youth can learn, grow, and thrive.

From early childhood care to leadership development, mentorship, and community engagement, we are committed to ensuring that young people feel welcomed, valued, and empowered as they build their futures in Canada.

Together, let’s continue working toward a world where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Today we honour Remembrance Day. We remember the courage and sacrifice of those who served in WWI, WWII, and beyond, and...
11/11/2025

Today we honour Remembrance Day.

We remember the courage and sacrifice of those who served in WWI, WWII, and beyond, and reflect on the millions still affected by war today. Lest we forget.

Address

959 Wellington Street West
Ottawa, ON
K1Y2X5

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

613-725-0202

Website

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