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Settlement and newcomer support
Practical guidance for newcomers who need help understanding where to begin, what services are available, and how to access appropriate support.
Afghan Organization of London
A welcoming start. A stronger community.
We help newcomers navigate settlement, housing, education, healthcare, government services, employment, transportation, banking, documents, and community life in London.
Culturally informedGuidance grounded in understanding and respect
Community connectedClear pathways to trusted organizations and services
Open to newcomersSupporting Afghans and people from all backgrounds
Who we are
Helping newcomers feel informed, supported, and connected
The Afghan Organization of London is an incorporated not-for-profit organization serving Afghans and other newcomers as they establish their lives in London, Ontario.
AOL provides practical, culturally responsive support to help newcomers understand and navigate everyday life in Canada. Individuals and families can ask questions, receive help with forms and documents, participate in programs, and connect with trusted community resources.
OrganizationFederally incorporated not-for-profit
Community servedAfghans and newcomers from all backgrounds
LocationLondon, Ontario, Canada
LeadershipExecutive team led by Founder and President Tabasom Zabardast
Our mission
Practical, culturally informed support
To help newcomers understand essential systems, access reliable resources, and participate fully in community life.
Our vision
A welcoming and connected London
A community where newcomers feel informed, supported, respected, and empowered to build a strong future.
Our approach
Listen, guide, and connect
We respond to practical questions, share clear information, and build pathways to trusted organizations.
What we offer
Guidance for the questions newcomers face
Our programs focus on practical knowledge, community connection, and access to reliable services.
Settling and accessing essential services
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Community orientation
Information about everyday life in London, community services, local systems, neighbourhood resources, and opportunities to get connected.
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Housing and rental guidance
Help understanding housing searches, rental applications, housing forms, leases, tenant resources, and available housing supports.
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Healthcare navigation
Guidance on finding healthcare services, understanding where to seek care, preparing for appointments, and accessing appropriate health resources.
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School enrolment and education guidance
Support with school enrolment, registration requirements, communication, transportation, and connections to student and family resources.
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Government services, forms, benefits and identification
Help understanding government services, completing forms, learning about benefits, and identifying the documents needed for common applications.
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Immigration and citizenship referrals
General information and referrals to qualified immigration, citizenship, legal, and settlement resources based on the individual’s needs.
Documents, learning and independence
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Language, translation and document support
Language assistance and help understanding or translating forms, letters, applications, and everyday documents, with certified-translation referrals when required.
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Educational programs
Learning opportunities that build practical knowledge, confidence, communication skills, and independence in everyday life.
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Employment and career information
Information about job searching, workplace expectations, résumé preparation, career resources, training programs, and employment-service referrals.
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Banking and financial literacy
Information about Canadian banking, budgeting, building financial confidence, protecting personal information, and recognizing fraud and scams.
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Public transportation guidance
Practical help understanding local public transportation, planning routes, reading schedules, and learning about fares and passes.
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Workshops and information sessions
Accessible sessions on settlement, education, mental health, finances, transportation, community resources, and other newcomer priorities.
Well-being, family and community connection
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Mental health awareness, support and referrals
Culturally responsive support, mental health information, help navigating available resources, and referrals to appropriate qualified services.
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Family, youth and community programs
Programs that support family well-being, youth participation, social connection, confidence, learning, and positive community involvement.
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Community referrals and support
Personalized connections to trusted settlement, housing, education, employment, health, family, legal, and community resources.
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Cultural programs and events
Activities that celebrate Afghan culture, encourage intercultural understanding, bring families together, and strengthen community belonging.
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Volunteer and leadership opportunities
Opportunities to contribute skills, gain experience, build confidence, support community initiatives, and develop leadership abilities.
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Community outreach and engagement
Community-based outreach that shares reliable information, identifies emerging needs, and connects residents with programs and opportunities.
Leadership
Meet AOL’s executive leadership
Our executive team guides AOL’s work with a shared commitment to responsible, culturally informed support for newcomers in London.
Giti Zabardast
Secretary and Treasurer
Giti supports AOL’s administrative records, financial coordination, and responsible internal operations.
Khujesta Zabardast
Vice President
Khujesta supports organizational leadership, program coordination, and AOL’s community priorities.
Tabasom Zabardast
Founder and President
Tabasom leads AOL’s community outreach, partnership development, newcomer programming, and commitment to accessible, culturally informed support.
Clear purpose
AOL exists to help newcomers access reliable information, community connections, and opportunities to participate.
Confidential communication
Personal information shared through our forms is used only to respond to the individual’s request.
Qualified connections
AOL works to connect residents with established organizations and appropriate professionals when specialized support is needed.
How we help
A simple path from questions to connection
Listen
We begin by understanding the individual’s question, concern, or immediate need.
Guide
We provide clear, practical information in a culturally respectful and welcoming way.
Connect
When additional support is needed, we help the person connect with an appropriate community resource.
Work with us
Partnerships that make support easier to reach
AOL welcomes collaboration with settlement organizations, schools, mental health services, financial institutions, community groups, faith organizations, foundations, and local businesses.
Community referrals
Build clear pathways that connect newcomers with appropriate services.
Workshops and outreach
Share expertise through accessible information sessions and community events.
Program support
Contribute funding, space, supplies, professional expertise, or volunteer support.
Get involved
There is more than one way to make a difference
Attend a workshop
Register your interest in educational workshops and newcomer information sessions.
Volunteer
Share your time, skills, professional experience, or language abilities with newcomer individuals and families.
Partner
Collaborate on referrals, workshops, outreach, educational activities, or community events.
Support a program
Help AOL deliver community programming through sponsorship, space, supplies, services, or financial support.
Connect with AOL
Let’s strengthen newcomer support together
Contact Tabasom Zabardast, Founder and President, to learn more about AOL, discuss a partnership, volunteer, or support an upcoming program.
548-577-8911
afghanorganizationoflondon@gmail.com
@afghanorganizationoflondon
London, Ontario, Canada