Afghan Association of Ontario

Afghan Association of Ontario (AAO) is a comprehensive settlement and integration service provider serving the North York, ON community and beyond. Since 1982, AAO has delivered professional settlement, integration, and adaptation services designed to help newcomers successfully establish themselves in Canadian society. The organization specializes in guiding individuals through critical first-step services including information and orientation on living in Ontario, employment assistance, education navigation, and health system access. AAO provides essential support with documentation and applications including OHIP, Social Insurance Numbers, sponsorship applications, and Canadian citizenship processes. The organization offers professional interpretation and translation services, along with advocacy support to help clients interact effectively with community institutions. Beyond individual settlement services, AAO operates specialized programs including the Private Sponsorship of Refugees initiative, which has successfully sponsored over 13,000 Afghan refugees since 1985, and the Afghan Woman Support Program focused on empowering women through social, economic, cultural, and political development. AAO maintains an active community presence through its TV Broadcasting Program, airing twice weekly with content relevant to newcomers covering settlement information, cultural topics, and local news. With over 6,780 community members and a diverse client base including individuals from Iranian, Indian, Pakistani, Arab, and Chinese backgrounds, AAO has established itself as a multifaceted organization committed to supporting newcomers of all backgrounds in North York and throughout Ontario.