COSTI actively engages with a range of community planning networks, umbrella organizations, and advisory committees across Ontario. By collaborating with more than 300 partners—including community groups, employers, public libraries, school boards, universities and colleges, and hospitals—we create a comprehensive support system for our clients. 

Our network allows us to provide a variety of services, such as peer activities, support groups, therapy and community connections, ensuring a client-centered approach. These partnerships help us build a holistic support model and offer an extended ecosystem for clients navigating their settlement and life journey. 

Key collaborations with influential organizations like the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), United Way Greater Toronto, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and Community Development Council Durham, among others, are integral to our mission. Each partner contributes unique perspectives and resources, enhancing our collective efforts and delivering impactful outcomes for adults, youth, seniors, women, newcomers and marginalized individuals. Some of our key partnerships in 2023/24 achieved significant milestones, including:  

Let’s Get Together:
A longstanding partner, championing tech equity, Let’s Get Together has been pivotal in making education accessible for COSTI clients. This collaboration has enabled COSTI to provide our clients with affordable digital devices, facilitating their connection to community services, events, skills development and job opportunities. By bridging the digital divide, this partnership has successfully empowered our clients to thrive in the digital age. 

Access Alliance:
As a Multicultural Health and Community Services provider, Access Alliance has been an invaluable partner to COSTI’s Reception Centre. Their trauma-informed approach and unique expertise have enabled government-assisted clients to access primary health services onsite and receive immediate referrals to specialized medical services, including hospitals. Additionally, they facilitated access to the annual flu clinic and vaccinations, significantly enhancing service delivery to newcomer-refugees.  

Research Partnerships:
Committed to advancing knowledge and improving service delivery, COSTI engaged in research partnerships last year with the following: 

• Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE): This research partnership resulted in a comprehensive blueprint titled Wraparound Services for Women from Immigrant, Refugee, Ethnocultural and Racialized Communities Facing Gender-Based Violence. The blueprint aims to address inequities in access to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) services across Canada and to enhance culturally safe, replicable support services nationwide. 

• York University: Research projects included Singing Our Stories to explore community musical practices with refugee children, newcomer children and young people, and Liberating Migrant Labour?: International Mobility Programs in Settler-Colonial Contexts to examine the impacts of international mobility programs. 

• York University and The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): This partnership focused on evaluating needs and barriers to utilizing burnout prevention programs among COSTI staff. 

• Toronto Metropolitan University: We partnered on the Urban Sanctuary, Migrant Solidarity and Hospitality in Global Perspective project, focused on migrant support and integration. 

• Harvard Business School, University of Toronto, and Georgetown University: This collaboration researched The Role of Diversity in Organizational Performance. 

• Association for Canadian Studies – Metropolis Institute: This was a two-hour long qualitative assessment on Identifying Best Practices in Combatting Discrimination in the Settlement Process.