Are you new to Canada? Looking for provincial and local services to assist you in getting settled in the Stratford area? The following links are a few that will help you out.

Settlement.org

If you are new to Ontario, you can find answers to common questions about your new home on Settlement.Org. Topics include citizenship, housing, health, employment, education, recreation, and legal services. A lot of the information is available in over 30 languages,

In My Language

Find all the information you need to help get you settled into your new community in a variety of languages. Languages include English, French, Chinese, Arabic, Gujarati, Pilipino, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tamil and Urdu.

About Ontario

Now that you have moved, learn more about your new home. Read about Ontario's culture, history, weather, geography, and fun facts too. Perfect for studying for the Citizenship test.

Health Care for Newcomers

One of the wonderful things about Canada is our health care system. As a newcommer to Canada, you should look into applying for a health card and finding a doctor. Find the details on this site.

Credential Recognition

If you have obtained education, training and job experience in another country, determine the equivalent standards in Canada.

Citizenship Test Preparation

If you are studying for the Canadian Citizenship Test, read or listen to the study guide here. You will learn about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, Canada's history, the justice system, the regions of Canada and more. Study questions are also included.

Tech Tip

Do you have a smart phone with a camera? You might want to turn off the locational services which track where the photo was taken - especially when taking pictures of your children. The tracking information can provide strangers with locational data. For more information about GPS and locational tracking read this article. Also to learn how to disable location services for your smartphone, visit I Can Stalk You.

Find a Language Class

If English isn't your first language, you may want to take a class or two to help you understand the language. There are a few found locally but also in neighboring communities (if you don't mind driving)

Centre for Employment & Learning

The Centre for Employment and Learning is one of the "go to" locations in Stratford, Perth County and Huron County to help you get the career you want. The employment section of this site focuses on career counselling, skills, workshops and other assistance in finding you a job. The Learning section assists you in finding customized training to help you learn new skills.

Partners in Employment

PIE is another great resource for looking for employment. Their office at the corner of Albert and Waterloo Streets (and across the hall from the Centre for Employment & Learning) provides all the resources you need to search for a new job. Their are computers for resume creation and job search, fax machine and copier, college/university information, and friendly staff to help you along the way.

Stratford Public Library - Your Entertainment & Information Centre

The Stratford Public Library has a great selection of books and DVDs in a variety of different languages. We also have computers free to use for 1 hour per day, ESL guides, magazines, and local newspapers. Our reference librarians can also help you in finding information on pretty much any topic you are interested in. We are open 4 nights a week until 9pm so you can get information you need after the majority of agencies are closed.

Information Perth

Information Perth is an online database of community agencies and services in Perth County. Find contact information for community groups, social agencies, recreational groups, health services and more. You can also call 211 on your phone to get personal assistance.

Upcoming Events

SPLASH! it up this Summer at the Library

Still lots of fun activities this summer long for children and families. Stories, crafts, skating, bowling... fun fun fun! Many programs are free, while others may have a minimal charge. Visit the Library's Summer Programming site for all the details.

Bowling Bash!

Join SPL for an hour and a half of bowling at Mike's Lanes in Stratford on August 12. Advanced tickets required.
Friday August 12 2:45-4:30pm | FREE | Library Auditorium

Good Book Group

Interested in reading a good book and getting together to talk about it? Join the Good Book Group. For August, read Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua [Non-Fiction].
Tuesday August 23 7pm | FREE | Library Auditorium

Whale of a Tale

A FREE evening drop-in Family Story Time for preschoolers on Monday evenings from 6:30 - 7:15pm.  Bring your young ones in their pjs!
Mondays 6:30-7:15pm | FREE | Library Auditorium

Donation Day

The Library is happy to accept donations of gently used books, books on cd, compact discs and dvds. Sorry, we cannot accept encyclopedia sets, text books, magazines or books which have been water damaged. For further information, contact the Library at 519-271-0220 ext. 34 or visit our donation page. Donations should be dropped off between 10am and 5pm at the back door of the library (off the parking lot).
Friday August 26 10am-5pm | Library back door

Thursday Theatre

Come to the Optimist Hall on Thursdays at 1:30 to watch a feature film! (doors open at 1pm) Thursday Theatre is a program held in partnership with Community Living Stratford and Area.
August 11 - Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
August 18 - Race to Witch Mountain
August 25 - Cancelled
Thursdays 1:30-3:30pm (approx) | $2pp (includes snack) | 72 Water Street, Stratford [map]

Handmade Culture: a show and sale of Stratford's craft, culture & creativity

We are looking for local crafty vendors for our show on October 1st. Details available on our website. Not craft? Book October 1st on your calendar and start your holiday shopping at the Library!
Saturday October 1 10am-3pm | FREE | Library Auditorium

Fly Like Arthur the Hawk Contest

Creative children ages 5 - 12 are encouraged to let imaginations fly on all things Camelot. Enter an original work of art or poetry by September 15th for your chance to "fly" like Arthur the Hawk or tickets to Camelot at the Festival Theatre. Details on the library website.

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