VVictoriaictoria I Immigrantmmigrant andand R Refugeeefugee C Centreentre SSociety ociety (VIRCS)(VIRCS)

Established in 1989Established in 1989

VIRCSVIRCS

Carlos Gaete, Executive DirectorCarlos Gaete, Executive Directorcarlos@vircs.bc.cacarlos@vircs.bc.ca361-9433, ext. 215361-9433, ext. 215

VIRCS Mission StatementVIRCS Mission Statement

To assist in the settlement and adjustment of immigrants and refugees in To assist in the settlement and adjustment of immigrants and refugees in Canada, and to provide services designed to increase the newcomer’s Canada, and to provide services designed to increase the newcomer’s participation in Canadian society by assisting the newcomer to overcome participation in Canadian society by assisting the newcomer to overcome barriers.barriers.

VIRCS ServicesVIRCS Services

Aaron Gordon Settlement ProgramAaron Gordon Settlement Program Employment Transitions and Coaching ProgramEmployment Transitions and Coaching Program IMMPowerBC, a Skills Connect programIMMPowerBC, a Skills Connect program HR Solutions ProjectHR Solutions Project English as a Second LanguageEnglish as a Second Language Project ENABLE ( for youth and children)Project ENABLE ( for youth and children) Volunteer ProgramVolunteer Program Multicultural Environmental Education ProgramMulticultural Environmental Education Program

Aaron Gordon Settlement ProgramAaron Gordon Settlement Program

Meghan Mergaert, CoordinatorMeghan Mergaert, Coordinatormeghan@vircs.bc.cameghan@vircs.bc.ca361-9433, ext. 242361-9433, ext. 242

Settlement StaffSettlement Staff

LindaLinda

linda@vircs.bc.ca

RobertinaRobertinarobertina@vircs.bc.ca

HaixiaHaixiahaixia@vircs.bc.ca

MeghanMeghanmeghan@vircs.bc.ca

How we helpHow we help

Immigrants and refugees settle and Immigrants and refugees settle and adjust to life in Canada by adjust to life in Canada by receiving:receiving:

CounsellingCounselling OrientationOrientation AdvocatingAdvocating Workshops and clinicsWorkshops and clinics One-on-one assistanceOne-on-one assistance And other supportsAnd other supports

ServicesServices

Every year, we help over 1500 people access:Every year, we help over 1500 people access:

HousingHousing HealthcareHealthcare Social benefitsSocial benefits ImmigrationImmigration EducationEducation Community participationCommunity participation TransportationTransportation

Legal assistanceLegal assistance ChildcareChildcare Tax assistanceTax assistance Referrals to Referrals to

community servicescommunity services Translation servicesTranslation services And so much more!And so much more!

Employment Transitions and Coaching ProgramEmployment Transitions and Coaching Program

Viet Tran, CoordinatorViet Tran, Coordinatoremployment@vircs.bc.caemployment@vircs.bc.ca

361-9433 ext. 206361-9433 ext. 206

Employment Transitions StaffEmployment Transitions Staff

Program BenefitsProgram Benefits

Immigrant and refugee employees Immigrant and refugee employees benefit local employers by benefit local employers by contributing:contributing:

International skills, education, and International skills, education, and experience experience

Diverse perspectives Diverse perspectives Loyalty and hard work ethicLoyalty and hard work ethic Cultural diversity to the workplaceCultural diversity to the workplace Access to international marketsAccess to international markets

Assisted ServicesAssisted Services

One-on-one employment counselling and career One-on-one employment counselling and career planningplanning

Local labour market informationLocal labour market information Access to programs for education, skills training and Access to programs for education, skills training and

wage subsidieswage subsidies Assistance with cover letters and resumesAssistance with cover letters and resumes Interview and job search techniquesInterview and job search techniques Employment connections and job placementsEmployment connections and job placements Job and life skills trainingJob and life skills training

Resource CentreResource Centre

Clients and unemployed Canadians benefit by obtaining:Clients and unemployed Canadians benefit by obtaining:

Access to computers and internet for job searchAccess to computers and internet for job search One-on-one assistance with resumes and cover lettersOne-on-one assistance with resumes and cover letters Workshops, including basic computer skillsWorkshops, including basic computer skills Typing software, Better AccentsTyping software, Better Accents© Software© Software Job boardJob board Access to telephone, fax and copierAccess to telephone, fax and copier

Employability WorkshopsEmployability Workshops

Participants have the opportunity Participants have the opportunity to acquire:to acquire:

Job search skills Job search skills Basic computer trainingBasic computer training Employment maintenance, life Employment maintenance, life

skills, and communication skillsskills, and communication skills English Skills for Job SearchEnglish Skills for Job Search

BC Skills Connect ProgramBC Skills Connect Program

Annie Shum, Project CoordinatorAnnie Shum, Project Coordinatorskillsconnect@vircs.bc.caskillsconnect@vircs.bc.ca

361-9433, ext. 218361-9433, ext. 218

Program BenefitsProgram Benefits

Helps skilled immigrants find work that matches their Helps skilled immigrants find work that matches their education, skills, and experienceeducation, skills, and experience

Addresses labour shortages and maximizes resourcesAddresses labour shortages and maximizes resources

Achieving Full PotentialAchieving Full Potential

Skilled immigrants receive assistance in finding employment in their Skilled immigrants receive assistance in finding employment in their professional field by accessing:professional field by accessing:

Assessments of language, education and skillsAssessments of language, education and skills Translation services and credential evaluationTranslation services and credential evaluation Access to training programs, skills upgrading, professional Access to training programs, skills upgrading, professional

organizationsorganizations Mentoring program at VIRCSMentoring program at VIRCS

Human Resource Solutions ProjectHuman Resource Solutions Project

Global Workforce for Local BusinessGlobal Workforce for Local Business

Viet Viet Tranemployment@vircsTranemployment@vircs.bc.ca.bc.ca

Naveed QureshiNaveed Qureshinaveed@vircs.bcnaveed@vircs.bc.ca.ca

Anna Du Vent Anna Du Vent anna@vircs.bc.canna@vircs.bc.caa

ObjectivesObjectives

HR Solutions is a research project designed to:HR Solutions is a research project designed to: Assist local employers recruit and retain immigrant Assist local employers recruit and retain immigrant

workersworkers Bridge the gap between employers and immigrantsBridge the gap between employers and immigrants

Phase One (Jul 2007—Mar 2008)Phase One (Jul 2007—Mar 2008)

Focused on labour and skills shortages, their impacts, and Focused on labour and skills shortages, their impacts, and potential workplace conflicts in a multicultural job marketpotential workplace conflicts in a multicultural job market

Questionnaires for immigrants and employersQuestionnaires for immigrants and employers Responses showed gaps in understanding between employers Responses showed gaps in understanding between employers

and immigrant staffand immigrant staff

Phase Two (Mar 2008—Dec 2008)Phase Two (Mar 2008—Dec 2008)

Follow-up on Phase OneFollow-up on Phase One Will emphasize workplace relationshipsWill emphasize workplace relationships Will consist of interviews with local employers Will consist of interviews with local employers

and immigrant staff and immigrant staff Two focus groupsTwo focus groups

English as a Second LanguageEnglish as a Second Language

Christianne O’Carroll, CoordinatorChristianne O’Carroll, Coordinatorchristianne@vircs.bc.cachristianne@vircs.bc.ca

361-9433, ext. 210361-9433, ext. 210

ESL at VIRCSESL at VIRCSsince 1989since 1989

For immigrants, refugees, Canadian citizens, and international For immigrants, refugees, Canadian citizens, and international visitors visitors

Over 100 students attend our classes per yearOver 100 students attend our classes per year More than 40 volunteers help in the classroomMore than 40 volunteers help in the classroom

Our ClassesOur Classes

Morning and afternoon classes focus Morning and afternoon classes focus on studying the English language and on studying the English language and learning about Canadian culturelearning about Canadian culture

Evening classes are for pronunciation Evening classes are for pronunciation and communication for those and communication for those seeking employmentseeking employment

Afternoon pronunciation drills Afternoon pronunciation drills

ESL at VIRCS is for EveryoneESL at VIRCS is for Everyone

Continuous learning: Continuous learning: Offered year-round, even in the Offered year-round, even in the summersummer

Accommodate varying levels:Accommodate varying levels: Individualized Individualized homework programhomework program

Flexible: CFlexible: Continuous enrollmentontinuous enrollment Accessible:Accessible: Affordable rates Affordable rates

English for Job Search WorkshopEnglish for Job Search Workshop

10-week workshop, offered 10-week workshop, offered 4 times a year4 times a year

Helps internationally Helps internationally trained professionals and trained professionals and skilled workers find and skilled workers find and keep appropriate keep appropriate employment employment

Focuses on clear Focuses on clear pronunciation, pronunciation, communication skills, and communication skills, and workplace languageworkplace language

Project ENABLEProject ENABLE

Negin NaraghiNegin Naraghienable@vircs.bc.caenable@vircs.bc.ca361-9433, ext. 203361-9433, ext. 203

Project ENABLEProject ENABLE

For immigrant and refugee For immigrant and refugee children and youth children and youth

Homework clubsHomework clubs TutoringTutoring Adjustment Support GroupsAdjustment Support Groups Youth Activity NightYouth Activity Night Youth STRIDESYouth STRIDES

Homework Clubs and TutoringHomework Clubs and Tutoring

Helps students integrate into their new school by:Helps students integrate into their new school by: Providing one-on-one assistance with homeworkProviding one-on-one assistance with homework

at any level and any school subject at any level and any school subject Enhancing the students self-concept, self-esteem, Enhancing the students self-concept, self-esteem,

and self-confidence and self-confidence

Adjustment Support GroupsAdjustment Support Groups

Facilitated by professional therapistsFacilitated by professional therapists Assist children and youth facing barriers associated with settlement Assist children and youth facing barriers associated with settlement Designed to support children and youth who have lived through Designed to support children and youth who have lived through

extreme and significant life experiences such as war, repression, and extreme and significant life experiences such as war, repression, and familial lossfamilial loss

Youth Activity NightYouth Activity Night

Creates with experiences Creates with experiences that link newcomer youth to that link newcomer youth to their new communitytheir new community

Provides safe venues for Provides safe venues for youth to meet socially and youth to meet socially and make new friendsmake new friends

Youth STRIDESYouth STRIDES SStudenttudent TTrainingraining forfor RRefugeesefugees and and IImmigrants tommigrants to

DDevelopevelop EEducational ducational SSeminarseminars

Trains immigrant and refugee Trains immigrant and refugee youth to create awareness-youth to create awareness-raising workshops around raising workshops around immigrant and refugee issuesimmigrant and refugee issues

Youth present their workshops Youth present their workshops in schools and community in schools and community groupsgroups

Youth BYOB Seminars Youth BYOB Seminars Break Your Own Barriers!Break Your Own Barriers!

A community anti-racism project A community anti-racism project for youth ages 12-20for youth ages 12-20

Youth address racism, Youth address racism, discrimination, and hate discrimination, and hate

Promotes healthy cross-cultural Promotes healthy cross-cultural relationships relationships

Develop partnerships with Develop partnerships with organizations and agencies that organizations and agencies that work with youth from diverse work with youth from diverse backgroundsbackgrounds

Volunteer ProgramVolunteer Program

Christopher Geater, CoordinatorChristopher Geater, Coordinatorvolunteer@vircs.bc.cavolunteer@vircs.bc.ca

361-9433 ext. 212361-9433 ext. 212

Volunteering is RewardingVolunteering is Rewarding

Make new friends from all around Make new friends from all around the worldthe world

Develop new skills and refine Develop new skills and refine existing skillsexisting skills

Gain experience in a multicultural Gain experience in a multicultural environmentenvironment

By contributing your skills and By contributing your skills and time, you make a difference! time, you make a difference!

VIRCS Volunteers and their programsVIRCS Volunteers and their programs

CommunitySettlement

Practicum StudentOffice Assistant

ReceptionistTherapist

Enable

Summer Camp VolunteerHomework Club Tutor

Youth Leader1 on 1 Tutor

ESL

Classroom VolunteerAssistant

Employment

HR Research AssistantWorkshop Facilitator

Volunteer Mentor

Christmas PartyYoga TeacherOpen HouseIncome Tax

Volunteering Benefits EveryoneVolunteering Benefits Everyone

200-300 people a year volunteer at VIRCS. Volunteers 200-300 people a year volunteer at VIRCS. Volunteers contribute by:contribute by:

Creating a welcoming environment for newcomersCreating a welcoming environment for newcomers Learning and teaching new skillsLearning and teaching new skills Helping professionals learn the skills to succeed by mentoringHelping professionals learn the skills to succeed by mentoring Fostering a sense of communityFostering a sense of community Becoming part of the VIRCS familyBecoming part of the VIRCS family

Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers!Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers!

Multicultural Environmental Education Project Multicultural Environmental Education Project for Newcomersfor Newcomers

Gagan LeekhaGagan Leekhagagan@vircs.bc.cagagan@vircs.bc.ca361-9433, ext. 217361-9433, ext. 217

Multicultural Environmental Education Project Multicultural Environmental Education Project for Newcomersfor Newcomers

This is our newest project that will involve our clients, staff and the wider multicultural community in:

Sharing stories Increasing awareness Inspiring action Building bridges

Program ObjectivesProgram Objectives

Program participants will:Program participants will: Learn healthy, environmentally-friendly, cost-effective Learn healthy, environmentally-friendly, cost-effective

practicespractices Enjoy the natural beauty of Victoria and learn how to Enjoy the natural beauty of Victoria and learn how to

preserve itpreserve it Establish relationships within the wider communityEstablish relationships within the wider community

Take Action!Take Action!

Join us for a workshop or field trip Volunteer with our project Sign up to stay up-to-date on

opportunities to get involved!

VIRCS – Leading by ExampleVIRCS – Leading by Example

VIRCS Goes Green! VIRCS Goes Green! This year we have the goal of having a This year we have the goal of having a ZERO WASTE Open ZERO WASTE Open House!House!Please help us achieve our goal of not creating any waste Please help us achieve our goal of not creating any waste for our landfills. for our landfills. Please sort your paper, paste, and plastic waste according Please sort your paper, paste, and plastic waste according to the signs on the bins. Thank you!to the signs on the bins. Thank you!

Get Involved!Get Involved!

Interested in getting involved with VIRCS?Interested in getting involved with VIRCS? VolunteerVolunteer Become a memberBecome a member Make a donationMake a donation

Speak to any of our staff for more information.Speak to any of our staff for more information.

Thank You to our Funders and PartnersThank You to our Funders and Partners

Service CanadaService Canada BC GovernmentBC Government BC Public Service AgencyBC Public Service Agency Victoria FoundationVictoria Foundation The City of VictoriaThe City of Victoria United WayUnited Way Esquimalt Bingo Association Esquimalt Bingo Association Queen Alexandra Foundation for Queen Alexandra Foundation for

ChildrenChildren Coast CapitalCoast Capital

Bill Hartley Insurance ServicesBill Hartley Insurance Services West CorpWest Corp London DrugsLondon Drugs 100.3 the Q100.3 the Q A-ChannelA-Channel CFUV 101.9 FMCFUV 101.9 FM Monday MagazineMonday Magazine Focus on WomenFocus on Women Times-ColonistTimes-Colonist ShawShaw

Thank you to Open House DonorsThank you to Open House Donors

Safeway CanadaSafeway Canada Market on YatesMarket on Yates Thrifty FoodsThrifty Foods Silk Road Aromatherapy and Teas Silk Road Aromatherapy and Teas

Co.Co. Bean Around the WorldBean Around the World Rocky Mountain Chocolate FactoryRocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Blue Carrot CaféBlue Carrot Café

Fujiya Japanese FoodsFujiya Japanese Foods Don Mee RestaurantDon Mee Restaurant Side Dish RestaurantSide Dish Restaurant Le Petit SaigonLe Petit Saigon Pig BBQ JointPig BBQ Joint Harumi TabathaHarumi Tabatha Khalsa Diwan SocietyKhalsa Diwan Society PerikilisPerikilis One Slice Pizza.One Slice Pizza.

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