CFCR Community Connect – Global Gathering Place
Welcome to CFCR Community Connect – where we help to connect you with local community organizations in Saskatoon.
Global Gathering Place is the Community Connect feature for February 2026!
About
Global Gathering Place (GGP) is a drop-in not-for-profit centre that provides personalized, heartfelt settlement assistance to refugees and immigrants.
A welcoming home away from home, GGP acts as a cultural bridge between newcomers and life in Canada. They help refugees and immigrants navigate everything from language, healthcare, and employment, to developing life skills that many of us do without thinking (like grocery shopping and taking the bus).
“Beyond engaging and supporting newcomers, we also passionately promote the fact that we all play a role in integrating newcomers. By collaborating with organizations, groups, practicum students, and volunteers from all walks of life, we create a more welcoming and accessible community.”
Through collaboration, trainings, and events, they work to help the Saskatoon community recognize our shared responsibility in helping newcomers integrate and thrive. They offer guidance for making local services more inclusive and accessible, and advocate for what we know to be true: that immigrants and refugees, when given the opportunity, make valuable contributions to all aspects of Canadian society.
Programs, Events, Services, and Resources
On-on-One Support for Newcomers: Newcomers to Canada can register as clients to get support on a variety of issues such as paperwork, signing up for English classes, and opening a bank account. Friendly, knowledgeable staff can also help with settlement advice, employment support, client services, mentoring, and mental health counselling services.
English Classes: Global Gathering Place invites students to join its free English Classes in Saskatoon and across Saskatchewan. Free childcare is available for most classes. Language and disability services are also available if needed.
Skill-Building Programs: Global Gathering Place has a variety of skill-building programs for newcomers, including the following: citizenship test preparation, Cooking Healthy Economic Food (CHEF), computer classes, driving theory, IELTS test preparation, information sessions, and beginner swimming lessons.
Social Connections: Social connections are a vital part of making Saskatoon feel like home. Global Gathering Place integrates opportunities for social connections into many programs and services, including the following:
- BrightStart! is a program engaging mothers with young children. Through structured play, crafts, songs, and presentations, mothers develop support networks and improve parenting and language skills. Children learn how to follow instructions, take turns, share, and are more prepared for school in Canada.
- Coffee & Conversations brings volunteers and newcomers together for casual discussions around settlement every Thursday afternoon from 1-3pm. Clients are able to meet other newcomers, network with volunteers, practice language skills, plus learn more about life in Saskatoon as well as Canadian culture.
- Family, Fun & Fit introduces participants to a new recreational activity every weekend through sporting activities, field trips, and cultural events. The hope is that once clients become familiar with the facilities, events, and services available, they access them independently.
- The “Learn to” sporting program provides instruction, equipment, and promotes awareness of a popular sport enjoyed by people in Saskatoon. This year, GGP has introduced canoeing and curling to participants. Past sessions introduced tennis and skating.
- Weaving Words is a program in partnership with the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild. Clients work with a professional writer to develop their creative writing, editing, and storytelling skills. Their work is shared at a reading celebration and in a published anthology.
- WELL – Women Exchanging Life Lessons — brings women together to participate in a variety of weekly skills building, social, and informative sessions with an emphasis on health. Professionals from the community are brought in to speak on their area of expertise on topics such as oral hygiene, mental health, cancer prevention, healthy relationships, etc.
Visit their website to learn more about any of these amazing services and check out their events calendar to see everything they’re offering this month.
How to Support Global Gathering Place
Global Gathering Place invites individuals, businesses, and community groups to get involved with their organization. Visit globalgatheringplace.com/get-involved to learn more about all of these opportunities.
Apply to volunteer by contacting volunteer@globalgatheringplace.com. Volunteer opportunities include assisting in English as a Subsequent Language classrooms, caring for newcomer children, mentoring clients by addressing their unique needs, and helping with other various programs throughout the year. You can also apply to join their Board of Directors.
Donate or become a corporate sponsor.
Become a member! Members can receive GGP publications, participate in decision making at the Annual General Meeting, and enjoy invitations to special GGP events. Memberships are $10.00 a year starting at the beginning of each calendar year.
Subscribe to their newsletter to stay up-to-date on all things GGP.
Request a presentation or training. GGP staff regularly deliver engaging presentations on issues related to cultural competence and cross-cultural communication in healthcare and social service settings. Based in an anti-oppression framework, each presentation is customized to suit each group’s particular needs and objectives.
Spread the word. If you know someone who may benefit from the services GGP provides, let them know about this organization.
