Settling into a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming. From navigating essential services to building a sense of belonging, newcomers to Canada often face multiple challenges. Fortunately, organizations like Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia (ISSofBC) provide essential resources and support systems to help ease this transition.
Comprehensive Support for Newcomers
ISSofBC is dedicated to helping newcomers through a wide range of settlement services, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed in Canada. These services include:
- Get Settled – Multilingual staff can help you and your family get settled, make new friends, and understand your new life in Canada.
- Find Work – As a newcomer to Canada, you have different job search, training, and foreign credentialing needs. ISSofBC supports you with customized employment services, backed up by teams who have decades of experience to lead you to success.
- Learn English – FREE Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), is delivered by qualified and experienced instructors, to help you achieve your language and settlement goals!
- Digital Skills – These resources are designed to support English language instructors and those working in Settlement, Employment or the community in helping clients overcome digital literacy barriers.
- Referrals to the Library Champions Project (LCP) – A volunteer program that trains newcomers to share library and community resources with other immigrants. Participants develop leadership, communication, and networking skills while helping others integrate into their new communities.
The Library Champions Project: Empowering Newcomers Through Knowledge
In addition to ISSofBC’s extensive programming, the agency refers to other programs to ensure newcomers get the services they need. The Library Champions Project (LCP) is program that ISSofBC often refers clients. The LCP is a unique initiative that helps newcomers integrate into their communities while learning about public library and community resources. This program offers participants training on library and community services, leadership development, and public speaking skills and gives them the tools to share their knowledge with other newcomers.
A Settlement Support Worker at ISSofBC describes the impact of the LCP:
“The Library Champions Project is driven by a passionate team committed to community growth. Its approach is simple yet powerful: understanding the library, exploring its many resources, and realizing that this journey is much like discovering one’s own potential. This process excites me every time I promote the LCP to my clients.”
By engaging with their community through the LCP, participants become not only champions of knowledge but also champions of themselves and their community. The program empowers them to shine, uncover their potential, and make a meaningful impact in their new home.”
Why ISSofBC’s Services Matter
ISSofBC plays an important role in helping immigrants and refugees integrate successfully into Canadian society. Whether it’s through settlement assistance, employment support, language programs, or community engagement initiatives like the Library Champions Project, ISSofBC ensures that newcomers have the guidance and supports they need to build a fulfilling life in British Columbia.
Get Involved
If you or someone you know is new to Canada and looking for guidance, ISSofBC offers a wealth of services to help you navigate your journey. To learn more about their programs, visit ISSofBC’s website and discover how you can take advantage of these valuable resources.
