Families new to Montreal, refugees, asylum seekers and international students are welcome to take part in free wellness, art-making and art therapy workshops at The Refugee Centre.

The Montreal-based, non-profit organization helps support and integrate new people to the city. Jude Ibrahim, a mental health coordinator at the centre, says it offers services that focus on integration and a range of mental health, education and advocacy projects.

Because the staff understand first hand how overwhelming and difficult it is to arrive in a new country, The Refugee Centre aims to facilitate the transition to Canadian life (and especially winters). On top of regular workshops, it also offers legal aid, language classes, academic aid, and more. Due to the pandemic, all of these services are now online, making them even more accessible.

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Making the right resources and tools accessible

Through its wellness department, the program includes yoga classes, exercise classes, and cooking workshops. Ibrahim says the activities focus on utilizing art making and creative expression to explore a variety of topics related to identity, self-expression, compassion, and community in a safe space. ” (The workshops) enhance community building, help break isolation, and offer new modalities such as art making that can help overcome language barriers,” she said.

Sign up for free art workshops and activities

Some of the workshops currently offered include:

• Art Therapy groups for Mothers every Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Collage Art Workshop on February 10 from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.
• Art & Self-Care Workshops every Thursday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. starting on Feb. 17.

For more information or to register, click here.