COSTI: More Than 70 Years of Supporting Newcomers and Communities

Since 1952, COSTI Immigrant Services has supported newcomers and communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. What began in response to the needs of Italian immigrants has grown into a multicultural organization offering education, employment, refugee and social services to diverse communities.

Today, COSTI delivers more than 37 programs across four service areas: Education Services, Employment Services and Talent Solutions, Refugee Services and Social Services. In 2025–26, COSTI served more than 31,000 clients through more than 106,000 service interactions.

COSTI’s integrated approach brings together a range of services that respond to the different needs people may experience as they establish themselves and participate in their communities. Its mission is to empower people from diverse communities to succeed and achieve their full potential through education, employment and social services.

Education Services: Building Skills and Opportunity

Education Services help people develop the language, knowledge and skills they need to participate fully in their communities and pursue their goals. Programs include language instruction, workplace language training and skills development, supporting people at different stages of their education, settlement and career journeys.

Employment Services and Talent Solutions: Connecting Skills with Opportunity

COSTI’s Employment Services help individuals explore career options, develop job-search skills and connect with employment opportunities. Services include career assessment and planning, employment counselling, job-search and placement support, skills development, and programs for newcomers and internationally trained individuals.

COSTI also works directly with businesses to support their hiring needs, from workforce planning to onboarding and retention. For employers, this creates opportunities to connect with skilled candidates, including newcomers whose education and professional experience may have been gained outside Canada.

In addition, COSTI offers customized workplace language training tailored to an organization’s needs and workforce. This training can help strengthen workplace communication, support safety and facilitate employees’ integration into the workplace. By supporting both job seekers and employers, COSTI helps connect people’s skills and experience with employment opportunities while helping businesses build and support their workforces.

“After more than seven decades, its purpose remains constant: helping people turn arrival into belonging, potential into opportunity, and a new beginning into a meaningful contribution to the communities they now call home.”

Refugee Services: Helping Individuals Start Over

COSTI has a long history of supporting refugees and people who have been displaced from their homes. Refugee Services provide a range of supports, including temporary accommodation, settlement assistance, orientation, case management, housing support and connections to health, education, employment and community services. These services help individuals and families establish safety and stability while navigating the challenges of starting over in a new country.

Social Services: Building Community Supports

Social Services respond to a broad range of needs, including settlement, housing, health and wellness, family and community well-being, and supports for youth, seniors and women.

Services can include settlement and citizenship support, orientation to essential services and systems, housing access and navigation, counselling, financial assistance and referrals. Together, these supports help individuals and families address challenges that can affect their well-being and stability.

The Languages Bureau: Supporting Clear Communication

COSTI’s Languages Bureau provides translation and interpretation services to help people and organizations communicate across language barriers. These services can support businesses, institutions and community organizations in communicating with multilingual customers, employees and communities.

The organization also works with government, educational institutions, community organizations, employers and other partners to strengthen connections and help people access the services and opportunities they need.

As communities have evolved, COSTI has adapted its services to meet changing needs. After more than seven decades, its purpose remains constant: helping people turn arrival into belonging, potential into opportunity, and a new beginning into a meaningful contribution to the communities they now call home.

Visit costi.org for more details. 

Your role in staying up to date is integral to our shared mission of fostering a community of innovators. CanadianSME Magazine is a valuable treasure trove of entrepreneurial knowledge. Click here to subscribe to our monthly editions for updates on Canadian businesses. Follow our handle @canadian_sme on X to remain updated on all business trends and developments. Your support is crucial to our mission.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information intended only for informational purposes. CanadianSME Small Business Magazine does not endorse or guarantee any products or services mentioned. Readers are advised to conduct their research and due diligence before making business decisions.