For more than 30 years, the Newcomer Connections at the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick has partnered with the Canadian government to administer the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) in Saint John.

The Resettlement Assistance Program is a six to eight week program that provides a range of immediate essential services to Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) for which the federal government has undertaken a financial commitment.

Resettlement Assistance Program services at Newcomer Connections include, but are not limited to:

• Reception at the airport
• Arranging temporary and permanent accommodations
• Information and orientation
• Needs assessments and referrals to appropriate supports and services in the community
• Life skills training
• Support services for higher-needs individuals

Through this program, our team welcomes and helps resettle approximately 300 GARs each year. There are many challenges for refugees trying to adjust to a new life here. Our RAP team helps GARs make those adjustments by linking them to local, provincial and federal services, such as using transportation systems, children’s school registration, shopping, Medicare and health, housing, government financial programs, etc.

Following this transition, our team at Newcomer Connections provides a wide range of longer-term support services to all immigrants (including refugees), including life skills training, settlement counselling, employment and language classes, computer literacy, and volunteer opportunities.

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