If I give to this campaign, what do my dollars fund?
JIAS is fundraising to help newcomers to Canada succeed as they settle in the country and work towards economic inclusion and self-reliance. The services we provide include language classes, 1:1 case management, programs to give newcomers information about life in Canada, mental health and wellbeing programs, emergency supports, and more.
What are other ways to support newcomers?
In addition to donating, you can choose to support JIAS by setting up your own fundraising page, volunteering with us or sharing the the campaign information with your network through email and social media.
How do the fundraising fees work? What are they for?
The fundraising fees cover payment processing. Since they are part of the donation, they are also eligible for a tax receipt.
What forms of payment do you accept for donations?
Through our online donation platform, we accept credit cards payments, PayPal and google pay. If you prefer making your donation via cheque or securities, please reach out to us:
giving@jiastoronto.org How do you acknowledge donors?
We acknowledge donors in our annual reports. In addition, we are in the process of launching a donor acknowledgment and recognition program. If you have a specific acknowledgment in mind, please reach out to us:
giving@jiastoronto.org. A donor can also choose to remain anonymous if you prefer not to be acknowledged publicly in our annual report.
Do you need in-kind donations like clothing and household items?
JIAS does not have storage for in-kind donations, but we work with community partners to support clients' material needs. For furniture, we refer clients to the JRCC Furniture Depot, which provides free furniture to vulnerable populations in York Region. For other in-kind goods, JIAS settlement staff connect clients with relevant organizations and services. We primarily seek financial and volunteer support to address settlement challenges.
What is the difference between newcomers and immigrants?
Newcomers are all people who are new to Canada, regardless of whether they have temporary or permanent status in the country. We often use this term because many immigrants begin their journey by coming on a work or study visa, which does not technically make them immigrants.
An immigrant is a person who comes to live permanently in a country and whose legal status reflects that permanency.
What is the difference between immigrants and refugees?
Refugees are immigrants who are accepted to Canada as part of Canada’s commitment to humanitarian initiatives. They are approved to come to Canada after being assessed to ensure that they meet the criteria. Refugees are permanent residents, with all the same rights and responsibilities as economic or family sponsored immigrants.
Does JIAS only serve only Jewish clients?
No, JIAS was founded by the Jewish community over 100 years ago to support Jewish refugees coming to Canada, and welcoming Jewish immigrants will always remain core to the JIAS mission. At the same time, JIAS is an IRCC funded and inclusive settlement agency that serves newcomers from around the world, regardless of faith, ethnicity, country of origin, gender or sexual identity.
Does JIAS only help refugees?
No, JIAS helps all immigrants to Canada including refugees. Whether a newcomer was sponsored by their spouse, came to Canada through an economic immigration stream, or is a sponsored refugee; JIAS provides fulsome services to support their settlement journey.
How can someone become a JIAS client?
JIAS clients are immigrants and refugees, typically arrived with the last 5 years, and do not hold Canadian Citizenship. You don't have to be Jewish to become a JIAS client as we support newcomers from around the world regardless of faith or country of origin. To become a JIAS client please email:
intake@jiastoronto.org and follow the instructions.
How have Canadian immigration targets changed?
In October of 2024, the Canadian government readjusted its immigration target for 2025 to 395,000 permanent residents. While this reflects a reduction, it still reflects Canada’s commitment to and reliance on immigration for development and growth. The rationale for this reduction is to slow population growth in the short term in order to achieve well-managed, sustainable growth and economic prosperity for the long term.
