Over 35 Years of Service

The CCLC has educational programs to help Londoners understand other cultures and learn about global issues. Since 1968 when the first collection of educational materials was put together by students at the University of Western Ontario we have built a library including books, magazines, and videos that teach Canadians about issues overseas and about ethnic communities in Canada.

The Cross Cultural Learner Centre is a settlement service agency. Each year we help over 2,000 Newcomers to Canada. We offer settlement counselling, English language testing, translation of documents, employment counselling, social support, advocacy and assistance in accessing local medical, educational and social services. Our full-time staff includes over 25 people from a variety of countries and cultures who speak many languages including Arabic, Chinese, French, Persian, Polish, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Our Diversity program can provide consultation and training sessions on learning and improving skills related to cross cultural understanding and equity for minority groups. We have developed a Speakers list with local experts, performers and artists that can share global cultures, ideas and perspectives.

During the 1980s the CCLC participated in a network of local groups that responded to the crisis of Vietnamese "boat people". Our settlement services began with providing help to the refugees that came to this area as a consequence of the Vietnam war. Since that time we have continued to grow and respond to the needs of many immigrants and refugees that arrive in our city each year with the hope of making our community their new home.