Supporting Newcomers, Strengthening Communities: London Cross-Cultural Learner Centre

Meet The London Cross-Cultural Learner Centre, London’s leading newcomer agency, one of our associate partners, and the agency behind one of the most exciting developments in Old East Village! Created in 1967, the CCLC’s mission is “Supporting newcomers, strengthening communities.” The CCLC provides integration services and support to newcomers and to promote intercultural awareness and understanding for others. “We provide temporary accommodation and find permanent accommodation for refugees, but also for other newcomers,” says Valerian Marochko, Executive Director of CCLC. “We provide orientation and case management services, newcomer integrations through community connections like Canada Connects, settlement workers in school programming, and we’re very active in educating Londoners about refugee issues.” 

The CCLC’s main office is located just outside of Old East Village, at 505 Dundas, but their latest project is their Doorways to Dreams development, right in the heart of Old East Village. Located at 763-773 Dundas, this development will offer 247 one, two, and three-bedroom units for both newcomers and Londoners who need safe and affordable housing. “It's not only the apartments, it's also the ability to have a small commercial space and also health and wellness facility integrated, and also meeting rooms and support services from the CCLC,” Marochko says. “We've been providing temporary accommodation in our own facility since 1987 so I think it's time for us to be recognized as a housing service provider.” 30% or around 75 of the units will be designated as affordable housing, while 22% or around 54 units will be accessible units. 

This project is CCLC’s first permanent housing project that they’ll be undertaking, putting permanent and impactful roots in Old East Village. While it’s their first permanent housing project, the CCLC are no strangers to OEV; their first facility for newcomers was located at 717 Dundas, the current location of Unity Project. Marochko says that it feels great to have a shovel ready project in Old East Village. “We have a presence that’s been historical, and we will be renewing this presence with having more newcomers contributing to the economic development of Old East Village.”

As a partner of the Old East Village BIA, the CCLC aims to help develop what the community needs, working with businesses in the area to develop long-standing relationships. “I truly believe that this project will help to revitalize the area, having more people walking, having more people buying, purchasing services and goods in the area, and having more people starting enterprises,” says Marochko. He adds that the self-employment rate of newcomers is 19%, significatly outpacing the 12.7% seen among non-immigrants, and with that, brings jobs for both themselves and others in the area. 

So what’s next for The London Cross-Cultural Learner Centre? Fundraising! The CCLC is currently halfway through its capital campaign for Doorways to Dreams, but is looking to raise more to make sure this project can be a success. “We appreciate any contribution, no matter how small,” Marochko says. “It is a community effort, and we are very grateful for it, and we are very proud to be part of the community.”

For more information on Doorways to Dreams, visit doorwaystodreams.ca. For the London Cross-Cultural Learner Centre, visit https://www.lcclc.org/