Meaningful Employment for Refugees in the Waterloo Region

Unfamiliar hiring norms, limited English, and no Canadian experience mean refugees often become dependent on income supports. Meanwhile, as refugees are eager to work, employers struggle to fill manufacturing, logistics, and food production roles.

In the Waterloo Region near Toronto, Reception House’s Open Doors program aims to change that by offering targeted job prep, employer connections, and year-long retention support to help refugees land and keep stable jobs.

With support from a Northpine Foundation investment, refugee participants in this initiative get practical coaching in workplace English, interviews, and daily tasks, along with support to assist with transit, clothing, or childcare. The goal is to place participants in work in high-demand sectors. During the first 12 months of employment, the program aims to improve job retention through regular check-ins with workers and employers alike.

Through this program, refugees gain independence and rely less on welfare supports, while employers are matched with motivated talent to fill open jobs.