Kababayan Multicultural Centre has been helping Filipino newcomers build new lives in Canada for nearly five decades through free settlement and employment services.
Founded in 1977, the Toronto-based non-profit organization has served newcomers and immigrants for 49 years through free settlement services, employment counselling and specialized programs.
Executive Director Rizza Solis said the organization’s goal is to help people make informed decisions as they begin a new life in Canada.
“Kababayan is a settlement organization, meaning that we mainly support newcomers and immigrants to build their new lives here in Canada,” Solis said.
The organization assists newcomers with finding housing, accessing health services, preparing resumes, searching for jobs, and understanding Canadian systems through one-on-one counselling, workshops and community partnerships.
While Kababayan was originally established to serve Filipinos, it now welcomes people from diverse backgrounds while continuing to focus on the needs of the Filipino community.
Programs for youth, women and seniors
Beyond its core settlement services, Solis said Kababayan has developed programs tailored to groups that often face unique challenges after arriving in Canada.
One of those groups is Filipino newcomer youth.
Kababayan partners with schools to support young people adjusting to life in Canada, particularly children of caregivers and temporary foreign workers who may experience family separation, reunification and difficulties navigating the education system.
“We make sure that we help them transition to post-secondary education,” Solis said.
“We provide them direct information on financial subsidies and host community connection activities.”
She said programs such as the Little Manila Walking Tour help young Filipinos connect with their heritage while building relationships with others in the community.
However, Solis said the demand for youth services continues to grow as funding cuts have reduced the number of settlement workers available in schools.
“Most of the time, it’s youth who are unaware of how to access post-secondary education, what scholarships are available for them, and what financial support is available,” she said.
“That’s where Kababayan comes in to help bridge that gap.”
The organization also operates programs designed specifically for Filipino women, particularly caregivers who have experienced years of separation from their families before being reunited in Canada.
Solis said the program combines leadership and skills development with opportunities to build social connections.
“We provide skills-building and leadership training for them,” she said.
“At the same time, we also provide a lot of community connection activities because most of them are alone and haven’t been reunited with their families yet.”
For seniors, Kababayan offers recreational and wellness activities ranging from Zumba classes and arts programs to health information sessions delivered in partnership with community organizations.
While these activities encourage physical and mental well-being, Solis said the program serves an even greater purpose.
A second home
“A lot of our clients call Kababayan their second home,” she said. “It’s really beyond providing Zumba classes and recreational sessions.”
Many older adults experience loneliness after immigrating to Canada, she said, and the centre provides a place where they can build friendships and reconnect with their community.
Many former clients later return as volunteers, helping organize programs and sharing their knowledge with newcomers.
As the organization expands its services, it is also working to improve access to culturally responsive mental health support for Filipino Canadians.
Solis said one of the biggest gaps is the shortage of Tagalog-speaking mental health professionals.
“We truly lack representation in the mental health space, specifically Tagalog-speaking psychotherapists and mental health counsellors,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Solis hopes more Filipino Canadians will learn about the free services available through Kababayan and other community organizations.
“I want people to know that you are not alone in your journey,” she said. “Whether you’re a newcomer or even a long-term immigrant residing here in Canada for so many years, there are supports available for you.”
Update July 17, 2026: Rizza Solis photo has been updated to a submitted photo.
Luis Miguel De Castro is a Changing Narratives Fund-Local Journalism Initiative reporter at Mabuhay Canada and a journalism graduate at Humber Polytechnic in Toronto. Originally from the Philippines, he is passionate about community storytelling, multimedia journalism, and amplifying Filipino voices through meaningful local coverage.
