Settlement Services
Immigrants and refugees need information and support to help settle, as well as adjust to life in Canada. We know which questions you need to ask and we have the resources to get you started on the path to integration.
Our settlement workers can help you with a variety of settlement needs.
We are here to help you with:
- Finding a place to live
- Registering children in school
- Finding a family doctor
- Finding a job and assisting with foreign credential evaluation
- Understanding immigration procedures and forms
- Accessing government services and programs
- Connecting you with other local agencies
- Referral to English classes
- Assistance with banking and financial information
accessing our services is easy
Simply ask the receptionist to make an appointment with a settlement worker. At this first meeting, we ask that you please bring your immigration documents so we can determine your eligibility for different programs. You will fill out a registration form, and the settlement worker can answer specific questions and refer you to other CIS programs.
Here’s what our clients have to say:
Important: We ask that you fill out our client registration form before your meeting.
If you have any questions, please contact Demy:
Demy: demy@cis-iwc.org
our groups and specialized services:
- Monthly group for seniors (Golden Connections)
- Bi-weekly group for women (Women's Support Circle)
- A variety of programs for children and youth, including a staff member who works in schools to help newcomer students and their families adapt to Canadian education
- Workshops which assist in finding employment including FoodSafe, First Aid, WHMIS
- Citizenship classes, IELTS preparation classes
Welcome to a safe, caring and supportive atmosphere for newcomer women of different cultures.
We provide the necessary services to meet immigrant and newcomers needs, whether socially, economically, language-wise or in community linking.
Women’s Support Circle provides informational and educational workshops designed to serve and assist new Canadians.
The group offers cultural awareness about the community through networks which allow greater personal outreach. The group meets regularly on Friday from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at the CIS Office.
If you are interested in joining us, please contact Demy at 250-748-3112 Ext 207 / demy@cis-iwc.org
Golden Connections is a group that centres around newcomer seniors, in particular CIS clients.
The group met on October 2nd in the child care play space on a beautiful sunny day in the Cowichan Valley. Covid-19 has made it challenging to meet, but also offers an opportunity to look creatively at how to engage our community.
Doris Reich has assumed the role of Golden Connections Coordinator. The purpose of our meeting was to get to know each other and talk about how we would like the group to evolve.
We want to encourage more newcomer seniors to attend in our safe and comfortable space to practice language skills, learn about the community, and socialize.
Local volunteers who attended the meeting are particularly interested in supporting newcomers, and in collaborating with First Nations elders.
We welcome new participants into our Golden Connections community, and are looking forward to meeting the first Friday of each month at CIS.
For further information please contact Doris at: doris@cis-iwc.org or 250-748-3112.
We invite you, gentlemen, to join us in fostering courage, commitment, and leadership within your community. Together, we aim to strengthen community bonds, facilitate social interaction, extend a helping hand, and orchestrate enjoyable group activities. Our aspiration is for you to find a sense of belonging and profound connections within the CIS Gents Group.
We curate fun activities based on your preferences such as guest speaker sessions on intriguing topics, storytelling sessions, virtual movie nights, musical soirees, or engaging group discussions.
Please join us for Coffee at noon on Fridays at Duncan Garage Cafe and Bakery.
For more information please email pema@cis-iwc.org or call (250) 748-3112
