About Us
Since 1988, we have been supporting newcomers to Canada, welcoming them to Canadian life as they learn to thrive in their new home.
Every year, more than 10,000 people, from youth to seniors, access our free programs. We help them find employment, navigate the school system, develop essential skills and make new connections in their local community. Essential to our program approach is our focus on making the most of what our city and its people have to offer: from art and music, to nature, cycling and cross-cultural mentoring.
Our many programs and services can be found in a number of schools, some Toronto Public Library locations, a few community centres in the west-end of Toronto, at our partners’ locations, at our main hub on Dundas Street West, and more.
Our incredibly diverse team of staff speak more than 30 languages and our more than 500 volunteers support us in providing the skills, experience and empathy needed to maximize our impact in our community every day.
We’re proud to say that many of us benefited from CultureLink’s services when we first came to Canada before dedicating ourselves to supporting today’s newcomers — a testament to how the impact of the community we foster today is ongoing, helping us build a healthy, equitable and inclusive society for all.
CultureLink provides a wide range of settlement and community programs from children to seniors.
Our Mission, Vision and Values
[Our Mission] At CultureLink we inspire newcomers and their communities through innovative programming that promotes well-being, elevates skills and contributes to and fosters community connections and belonging
[Our Vision] At CultureLink we envision diverse, inclusive and thriving communities
[Our Values] At CultureLink, we are committed to:
Compassion — We care for each other and treat everyone with respect.
Impact — We continuously learn, improve, and adapt so that we can deliver services and programs that make a difference.
Collaboration — Because we are stronger together, we embrace teamwork and partnerships.
Integrity — We are reliable and trustworthy and hold ourselves accountable.
Leading the Way as a Settlement Service in Toronto Since 1988
CultureLink started in 1988 as the Metro Toronto Host Program in response to a highlighted need for a dedicated service to support Toronto’s large immigrant and refugee population. In October 1992 we became CultureLink Settlement Services of Metropolitan Toronto.
Over the years, we have evolved and adapted to ensure we are always providing the innovative services that best respond to the specific needs of today’s newcomers to Canada. With every innovation, we remain true to our values and our mission: celebrating newcomers and supporting them on their path to success.
Strategic Plan 2023/24 - 2027/28
Clients and Community are at the core of our work. With this Strategic Plan, CultureLink will prioritize service excellence and growth.
To implement our plan, we are supported by two Strategic Enablers:
Engagement and Inclusion
Goal – we will foster inclusion, collaboration, and innovation and attract, retain, and develop best-in-class employees and volunteers.
Objectives
- Implement organization-wide core competency framework to guide the Human Resources framework.
- Revitalise staff and volunteer engagement strategies
- Prioritise our commitment to Equity and Inclusion as a central focus for service delivery and internal operations.
High Performing Organization
Goal – we will modernise and grow our organization to meet the needs of current and future clients.
Objectives
- Implement organisation-wide accountability frameworks that enable all staff and volunteers to carry out their roles and responsibilities
- Leverage technology to advance service excellence and back office functions
- Grow and diversify revenues to ensure organisational stability and sustainability
GOAL
We will deliver exceptional, coordinated and integrated programming that meets the needs of our clients and communities.
- Provide service leadership by testing and implementing innovative programs and services
- Enhance communications and outreach to achieve our mission
- Strengthen partnerships to provide a continuum of coordinated services that meet client and community needs
- Improve client experience by streamlining access, intake and case management
- Use data and evidence to plan, evaluate and report our outcomes, and to evolve to meet changing client needs
- Set and achieve continuous quality improvement targets across the organization