Community Supports for Newcomer Families in Waterloo Region

Newcomer families in the Region of Waterloo, which contains the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, and the townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich, have access to a wide range of services to support their settlement, health, education, and community engagement. Below are key resources and organizations offering free or low-cost support:

Health Services (Vision and Dental)

Mental Health Supports for Newcomer Families

Newcomer families in the Waterloo Region have access to a wide range of mental health services tailored to children, youth, and adults. These services are confidential, often free, and available in multiple languages.

EarlyON Child and Family Centres

EarlyON Centres offer free, high-quality programs for children from birth to age six and their caregivers. These centres are welcoming spaces where families can play, learn, and connect with early childhood professionals and other families.

Services include:

  • Drop-in playgroups and learning activities
  • Parenting support and education
  • Referrals to community services
  • Health and child development information

Find your local EarlyON Centre: Welcome to EarlyON in Waterloo Region and the City of Stratford – EarlyON Child and Family Centre

Library Services for Newcomers

Local libraries offer free resources, programs, and settlement support for newcomer families.

Kitchener Public Library: Offers free library cards, English learning tools, citizenship test prep, and multilingual children’s books. Please visit Newcomers to Canada – Kitchener Public Library.

Waterloo Public Library – Library Settlement Partnership (LSP): Provides access to settlement workers who speak multiple languages and offer help with housing, employment, education, and more. Please visit Library Settlement Partnership (LSP) | Waterloo Public Library.

Cambridge Idea Exchange Public Library: Offers many free resources, programs, and services that will help you as you build your new life. We are here to help during this time of momentous change. Please visit For Newcomers | Cambridge Public Library.

Region of Waterloo Libraries: Serves rural communities with multilingual collections and newcomer resources. Please visit Newcomers to Waterloo Region – Region of Waterloo Library.

Get Active in the Community

Physical activity and social connections play a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of newcomer families. Engaging in recreational programs helps children and adults stay active, build confidence, and develop a sense of belonging in their new community. These activities also provide opportunities to make friends, practice language skills, and reduce feelings of isolation. To ensure all families can participate, fee assistance programs are available for those who may need financial support.

Additional Resources

Multilingual Digital Libraries