At SSN, we have a variety of programs, each geared toward addressing a particular need within the South Asian community. Currently the areas covered by our programs include: Cultural Preservation and Integration, Family, Health, Seniors, and Youth.

Use the panel to the left to learn more about our programs. Hover over a program to view a description, or click on the program to navigate to it's main page.

Multiculturalism was enshrined as a fundamental value of Canadian society by Canadian Government with the proclamation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (1988).

New immigrant South Asian youth face dual challenges that include financially assisting their parents in settling down in their new home through casual employment outside school hours, coupled with cultural adjustments due to exposure to a new set of peer values, pressures and exposure to different cultures.

SSN programs assist in preparing for this new life. Parents also need support in preparing them for cultural integration.

SSN's Family Programs helps South Asian families to build healthy relationships and develop strong support mechanisms that facilitate their integration into the Canadian Society as they settle in Canada.

These programs focus on services for women, men, children and youth and are delivered in the client's mother tongue: Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and Tamil.

SSN recognizes the unique cultures and diversity of families that need assistance. Raising a family is easier with community support and SSN connects families facing similar challenges.

The head researcher of a recent Canadian study recently predicted that the number one cause of death by the year 2020 in South Asians will be cardiovascular disease and many studies even show an early incidence of cardiac disease risk factors in young South Asians when compared with age-matched Caucasians.

It is widely accepted that the prevention and treatment strategies need to acknowledge differences in cultural beliefs and perception. SSN provides extensive outreach services on education and referral programs to various community centres in York Region and focus on importance of increasing physical activity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and mental health.

In 2011 (the medium term), Canada’s total population is projected to be about 35.4 million, 5 million (14.1%) of whom will be 65 and over. Almost 16% of all women will be over 65, and of these, more than 32% will be over 80. The corresponding figures among men will be slightly more than 12% and more than 22%. – Statistics Canada. Majority of York Region Seniors (73%) live in Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan.

SSN is committed to improving South Asian senior’s quality of life and educating seniors, their families, caregivers, and colleagues about programs and services that are available through culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

SSN provides services to York Region newcomers to assist their settlement and adaptation in the local communities.  These services include needs assessment, orientation to local environments, completing forms, interpretation and translation, providing information and referral, group sessions for social and networking support and linkages with the community and resources.

Youths make up a significant portion of the York Region community and for this reason they are a primary focus for our organization. SSN recognizes the fact that development of youth is a critical investment in Canada’s future development.

The Social Service Network Youth Engagement Plan bridges the gap between mainstream youth service organizations and diverse York Region youth community that traditionally shies away from contacting these agencies due to cultural and language problems. One way of achieving this is to engage youths attending places of worship in York Region in entrepreneurship and outreach activities.