Not-for-profit · Mississauga, Ontario
Neighbours helpingneighbours.
Community Matters Mississauga is the second branch of Community Matters Toronto, a neighbourhood organisation that has worked in St. James Town for more than twenty years. A group of newcomers in Mississauga set out to bring the same approach here: support that comes from people who have already made the journey.
- Courses
- 9
- Free of charge
- 4
- Call us
- (416) 417-4504
Neighbours Helping Neighbours
Every course here is taught by a resident of this community.
A message from the director
Welcome to Community Matters Mississauga — Neighbours Helping Neighbours
We are a group of residents of Mississauga, seeking to contribute to a strong neighbourhood culture by helping to build networks of relationships, to link people to others with common interest and foster exchanges of knowledge and skill. We assist a steady stream of families dealing with challenges of housing, finances, social issues, employment, citizenship, language, and parenting.
From the organisation’s own content brief, “A message from the director”.
Our vision and mission
Our vision
A united community, consisting of residents and newcomers.
Our mission
We are committed to providing day to day skills and offer a means of support through quality service and experienced volunteer mentors.
Adjustment
Acclimatising and getting used to a new culture, language, people and environment — or coping with the situation.
Adaptation
Learning and managing the situation without a great deal of help.
Integration
Actively participating, getting involved and contributing as a citizen of a new country.
How we work
Over 80% of what a community needs, the community already has.
Our approach recognises the skills, energy and intimate knowledge of our community as the way to address the issues and challenges of our neighbourhood. We recognise that over 80% of the resources needed to tackle an issue already exist within the community. With the support of professionals and knowledge from beyond the community, unique solutions are created to deliver precise, cost-effective, exceptional results.
Our Community Assistants live in our community and possess professional accreditation and cultural knowledge, providing trusted local leadership. Having addressed the same issues as newcomers, a safe, trusted environment is created which provides a clear, understandable path to solutions.
There is complete integration in themes, messages, staff training and delivery of all Community Matters programming. A participant in a nutrition programme will also take part in employment programmes, training workshops and celebrations. The integration prevents the passing off of a participant to another agency which may not be local, nor carry the same messages, nor provide local support.
Courses
Taught by neighbours, for neighbours.
9 courses run through the year — 4 of them free. Citizenship, English, computers and tutoring cost nothing; the craft courses carry a fee that covers materials.
SettlementFreeCanadian Citizenship Test Preparation
Understand the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and practise on simulated tests.
8 sessions
LanguageFreeEnglish Café
The conversation chat café — practise English free, in a relaxed room, with neighbours.
45 sessions, once a week for two hours
SkillsFreeComputer Fundamentals & Internet
Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the internet — the basics that open doors to work.
8 sessions
Children & YouthFreeAfter-School Tutoring
Small-group help with reading, writing, maths and homework — grades 1 to 12.
Open — runs through the school year
Neighbour Net
The help that runs alongside the classes.
Not everything we do is a course. These are the things neighbours most often knock on the door for.
Newcomer support
Immigration paperwork, forms and training, with translators on hand.
Social seniors
Company, outings and practical help for older neighbours.
Citizenship coaching
One-to-one coaching alongside the test preparation course.
Income tax clinic
Runs each year from 1 March to 30 April.
Small business workshop
For neighbours turning a skill into a source of income.
Job meetings
Résumé writing, entrepreneurship sessions and food-handling training.
From the organisation’s Winter 2018 programmes and services poster.
In their words
What it sounds like from the inside.
A neighbour on what the group has meant to her, filmed by Community Matters Mississauga.
Get involved
The work runs on neighbours who show up.
We began by delivering programmes from our own homes, on a volunteer basis. That has not changed much — which means there is always a real job for anyone who offers.
- 01Offer to teach
Teach a course
Every course here is taught by a neighbour. If you can teach English, sewing, computers, citizenship, art or drama — or tutor a child after school — you can run a class.
- 02Volunteer with a class
Assist a class
Classes run better with a second pair of hands. Volunteers help with registration, childminding, translation and keeping a room welcoming.
- 03Offer space or supplies
Give in kind
Our programme supplies, furniture and computers are donated. Space to meet in is the single thing we need most. If you have a room, equipment or materials, we can use them.
Come and find us
The door is open — call first and we will tell you what is running.
Days and times change between terms. A phone call is the fastest way to find out what is on this week and whether there is a place in it.
- Mentor and Trustee
- Community Matters Toronto260 Wellesley St. E. Unit 102, Toronto · (416) 944-9697