JobStart Connect
Welcome to JobStart Connect!
This is your resource hub for connecting with JobStart online. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our physical locations are closed, However, you can still access our programs and services online or by phone. Please utilize the resources below and call us so we can determine how best to support you during these uncertain times.
416-231-2295
COVID-19 Updates
Government Information and Supports
Government of Canada (Federal)
Includes Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) information: Federal Government – General Information on COVID-19 Response
Employment Insurance: Employment Related Resources
Federal Income Tax: Tax measures announced by the government (Department of Finance Canada)
How to apply for EI and other COVID-19 emergency government income supports
Canadian COVID-19 Benefits Information Sheet
Government of Ontario (Provincial)
Provincial Government – General Information on COVID-19 Response
Provincial Support for Families
Newsroom
City of Toronto (Municipal)
Municipal Government – General Information on COVID-19 Response
Emergency Food Access for Vulnerable Residents
Map of Food Banks in the City of Toronto
Toronto Employment and Social Services: April Ontario Works Cheque Pick Up Information
Additional Supports
Resources
List of Resources
Food Assistance Resources
Emergency Food Access for Vulnerable Residents
Federal Government Supporting Emergency Food Access
Food Resources:
https://www.211toronto.ca/topic/food
Food banks, Free/low-cost meals, Home delivered meals, Infant formula/baby food, Meals for seniors/people with disabilities.
Yasmeen
Sr. Manager, Programs & Services
Tutorial
Zoom Introduction Video for JobStart Clients
New to using Zoom? This video is specifically designed to introduce JobStart clients to Zoom so that you can actively participate in our virtual workshops.
Happy zooming!
Christina
Business Development Assistant
List of Resources
COVID-19 Health Resources
Canadian Disease Control and Prevention Resources
City of Toronto Resources
https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/employment-social-support/health-support/
World Health Organization Resources
Additional Resources
https://www.211toronto.ca/topic/health-care
Denyse
Manager, Programs & Services
List of Resources
Financial Resources During COVID-19
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre-Covid-19
Credit Counselling Canada
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
Financial & Employment Support
Grants, Incentives & Rebates
Labour Council Toronto & York Region
https://www.labourcouncil.ca/covid-19
Denyse
Manager, Programs & Services
Government Supports
Updates and Facts on CERB
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) Update: Many Canadian residents were left out under the initial CERB eligibility rules, which said that in order to qualify for CERB,
an individual must have lost all income for 14 consecutive days in the first month, followed by zero income for subsequent months.
these initial rules created gaps that did not address many students whose summer job plans fell through, and people who are working reduced but regular hours.
CERB will be expanded to include workers impacted by COVID-19 such as students and people working reduced hours.
Changes are also promised so that essential workers, such as those working in long-term care facilities, aren't financially disadvantaged by working instead of collecting CERB.
Here is a quick fact sheet on CERB
Denyse
Manager, Programs & Services
List of Resources
Miscellaneous Resources
Ontario Works Cheque Pick-up and Card Replacement Information_Apr 2020
Canada’s Career Professionals
Financial Post
Tax Filling Free Software
COVID-19 Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities
Denyse
Manager, Programs & Services
Virtual Event Series
Online Support for New Canadians
'New Canadians' are organizing a special virtual event series - which they are calling Café New Canadians - to give expert tips, information & resources. They have got lots to share – from boosting productivity when working from home to up-skilling for that dream job, acing video interviews to virtual networking 101 & exploring Canada as a newcomer while staying indoors. The free & casual virtual events are also an opportunity to ask any questions newcomers might have regarding career, settlement, or other areas.
They have planned virtual chats every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturdays. In addition to Zoom, the sessions will be live streamed to YouTube.
Mehrangiz
CCP Program Coordinator
Online Library
National Emergency Library
Announcing the National Emergency Library, a collection of books that supports emergency remote teaching, research activities, independent scholarship, and intellectual stimulation while universities, schools, training centers, and libraries are closed.
Muavviz
Job Coach
List of Resources
Mental Health Resources
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario & City of Toronto Resources
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario resources
Mental Health Commission of Canada Resources
Psychological Health and Safety - CSMLS
RBC Youth Mental Well-being Project Guidelines and Eligibility
Collaborative Mental Health Care
Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute
Additional Resources : https://www.211toronto.ca/topic/mental-health-addictions
Denyse
Manager, Programs & Services
Job Trends
Who is Canada Hiring Right Now?
Some industries — from shipping to online learning — are hiring to meet coronavirus-related demand. This LinkedIn article provides some insights into which industries and companies are hiring Canadians right now.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/news/whos-hiring-in-canada-4531435
Patricia
CEO
Free Webinars
YWCA April Webinars
Every Wednesday and Friday at 11:00 am, YMCA JUMP Etobicoke offers a free webinar. Topics include:
-
Latest Job Search Trends
-
Becoming Culturally Competent
-
COVID-19 Related Topics
-
Occupations in High Demand
Click here for the full list of webinars and how to register.
Denyse
Manager, Programs & Services
List of Resources
Resources for Newcomers
Resources to Help Newcomers Settle in Ontario/ Toronto:
News and Updates for Newcomers in Ontario https://settlement.org/news/ontario/
The Canadian Council for Refugees
CCR has created a dedicated resource page on their website to help refugees during the COVID-19 emergency.
Yasmeen
Sr. Manager, Programs & Services
Youth Entrepreneur Training
Free Self-Employment Training for Young Entrepreneurs
FREE SELF-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING (SET) FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS 17-29
SET’s professional business coaches will do a thorough analysis of your startup plans and guide you through the creation of your self-employment action plans!
Our fully funded free services include coaching, mentoring, networking, business workshops, business pitch preparation, business shadowing.
For upcoming SET seminars, workshop schedules and to book a free advisory, session please visit our online calendar
Tracy
Sr. Manager, Programs & Services
List of Resources
Mental Health Supports
Big White Wall is a safe and anonymous peer support community that is accessible anytime, free of charge to all Ontario residents. It includes:
-
A supportive, anonymous community
-
Artistic tools to help visually represent how you’re feeling
-
Guided programmes on a range of topics such as ‘Manage Stress & Anxiety’, ‘Quit smoking’, ‘Manage Your Depression’, ‘Eat Healthy & Lose Weight’ and more
-
Lots of different tests to help determine how you’re feeling
-
A bank of useful resources and information about mental health and more
Bounce Back is for those experiencing low mood, depression, and anxiety; adults and youth 15+ learn skills to help manage worry and anxiety, combat unhelpful thinking, and become more active and assertive. Once a referral form has been submitted, clients are contacted within 5 business days to schedule a telephone assessment. Please note that coaching calls are available in: English, French, Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Farsi, Hindi, Italian, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, Ukrainian, and Urdu. Please view this factsheet for more information.
Rebecca
Manager, Programs & Services
List of Resources
IRCC COVID-19 Factsheet
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has compiled a factsheet with dozens of links related to mental health, government supports, and COVID-19 information in a variety of different languages.
Jemima
Director, Programs and Strategic Initiatives