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.

Today we celebrate the World Day for African and Afro-descendant Culture, a time to recognize the creativity, resilience...
01/24/2026

Today we celebrate the World Day for African and Afro-descendant Culture, a time to recognize the creativity, resilience, and cultural richness of African heritage around the world.
Let us continue to honour the voices and traditions that shape our shared human experience.

Are you a newcomer looking for your first job in your field in Ottawa? Do you need support building your network and mak...
01/19/2026

Are you a newcomer looking for your first job in your field in Ottawa?

Do you need support building your network and making professional connections?

OCISO's Career Mentorship Program can help!

The Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization - OCISO is proud to offer the Career Mentorship Program to Internationally Trained Professionals (ITPs) in Health, Education, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), Trades, and Transportation sectors.

Our program matches clients with volunteer mentors who are established professionals in Ottawa working in the same or similar sectors — providing guidance, industry insights, and support to help ITPs successfully navigate the Canadian job market.

Program Eligibility:
✅ Permanent Resident, Convention Refugee, Protected Person, or Refugee Claimant
✅ Internationally Trained Professional (ITP) with recent experience in Health, Education, STEM, Trades, or Transportation
✅ English CLB Level 6 or higher
✅ Ottawa resident
✅ Employment-ready

If would like to join the program, we’d love to hear from you!

📧 careermentorship@ociso.org
📞 (613) 725-5671 ext. 225

🌍 Discover Ottawa’s Newcomer Talent Ecosystem – Virtual Employer ExpoLooking to strengthen your workforce through inclus...
01/15/2026

🌍 Discover Ottawa’s Newcomer Talent Ecosystem – Virtual Employer Expo

Looking to strengthen your workforce through inclusive hiring? Join Ottawa’s leading immigrant-serving organizations for a virtual Employer Expo showcasing programs, services, and supports to help you attract, recruit, hire, and retain skilled newcomers.

🤝 Participating organizations include: CCI, CÉSOC, OCISO, Vanier Community Services Centre, World Skills Employment Centre, and YMCA of the National Capital Region.

📅 Tuesday, January 20, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
💻 Virtual (Zoom) | Free with registration

👥 Who should attend?
Employers, business owners, HR professionals, recruiters, managers, and team leaders across all industries and sectors.

🔗 Learn more & register today: https://www.hireimmigrantsottawa.ca/events-training/micro-learning-event/

As 2025 ended, we want to thank our community, partners, and staff for all the support, collaboration, and hard work thi...
01/01/2026

As 2025 ended, we want to thank our community, partners, and staff for all the support, collaboration, and hard work this year.

Here is to new beginnings, continued growth, and shared successes in 2026!

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. ✨

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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