Service Provider

Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS)

Provides settlement services to immigrants and refugees (protected persons and convention refugees) having difficulty due to barriers. Settlement workers assist with issues including emergency needs, housing, education, health care, refugee, citizenship procedures, legal issues, day care, transportation and travel, and finance and benefits. Services include assessment, information and referral, adjustment support, and service linking and bridging. Serves Greater Victoria. Office hours are 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday. Nonprofit society, registered charity.

Website

www.vircs.bc.ca

Contact

Phone 1: 250-361-9433
Fax: 250-361-1914
Email: info@vircs.bc.ca

Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6

Mailing Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6

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7 services offered by: Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS)

BC Newcomer Services Program (BCNSP)

Provided by Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS)
6 other services offered by this agency

Supports the social and economic integration of newcomers who are not eligible to receive services from federally funded programs.

Supports the social and economic integration of newcomers who are not eligible to receive services from federally funded programs. Program serves refugee claimants (including asylum seekers who have not yet filed refugee claims), temporary foreign workers (excluding those who entered Canada under the former Live-in Caregiver program), post-secondary international students who are transitioning into permanent residency or a post-graduation work permit, provincial nominees who are not yet permanent residents, and naturalized citizens who continue to be dependent on settlement support; there may be eligibility restrictions for some services. Immigration and settlement services include orientation, information and referral to community services, assistance navigating immigration and work permit applications, short-term crisis support (excluding international students), and short-term counselling (for refugee claimants only). Labour market services include job market information, connection to job opportunities, employment counselling, short-term pre-employment certificate courses, and education on workplace rights and responsibilities, work safety, and workplace culture. Language services includes English conversation groups, English language training, and Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) language assessments. Serves Esquimalt, Cedar Hill, Sidney, and the West Shore. Funded by Ministry of Municipal Affairs as a BC Newcomer Services Program (BCNSP).
Website

www.vircs.bc.ca/bc-settlement-and-integration-services
Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6
Program serves refugee claimants (including asylum seekers who have not yet filed refugee claims), temporary foreign workers (excluding those who entered Canada under the former Live-in Caregiver program), post-secondary international students who are transitioning into permanent residency or a post-graduation work permit, provincial nominees who are not yet permanent residents, and naturalized citizens who continue to be dependent on settlement support; there may be eligibility restrictions for some services. Immigration and settlement services include orientation, information and referral to community services, assistance navigating immigration and work permit applications, short-term crisis support (excluding international students), and short-term counselling (for refugee claimants only). Labour market services include job market information, connection to job opportunities, employment counselling, short-term pre-employment certificate courses, and education on workplace rights and responsibilities, work safety, and workplace culture. Language services includes English conversation groups, English language training, and Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) language assessments. Serves Esquimalt, Cedar Hill, Sidney, and the West Shore. Funded by Ministry of Municipal Affairs as a BC Newcomer Services Program (BCNSP).

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Mailing Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6

Contact

Phone 1: 250-361-9433 Ext. 218

Fax: 250-361-1914

Email: nasim@vircs.bc.ca

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Enable Program Women's Project

Provided by Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS)
6 other services offered by this agency

Offers educational activities that provide relevant and accessible information to immigrant women on health, safety, and well-being issues.

Offers educational activities that provide relevant and accessible information to immigrant women on health, safety, and well-being issues. Program activities involve interactive group workshops featuring presentations by skilled facilitators and guest speakers, and are supported by translation services, participant feedback, and volunteer engagement. Topics include: breast cancer awareness and prevention; responding to and preventing family and intimate partner violence; and education, awareness, and prevention around sexual harassment of newcomer women in the workplace.
Website

https://www.vircs.bc.ca/newcomer-womens-projects
Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6
Program activities involve interactive group workshops featuring presentations by skilled facilitators and guest speakers, and are supported by translation services, participant feedback, and volunteer engagement. Topics include: breast cancer awareness and prevention; responding to and preventing family and intimate partner violence; and education, awareness, and prevention around sexual harassment of newcomer women in the workplace.

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Mailing Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6

Contact

Phone 1: 250-361-9433

Email: cleia@vircs.bc.ca

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Enable Program for Children and Youth

Provided by Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS)
6 other services offered by this agency

Provides services designed to address the academic, social, and emotional needs of immigrant and refugee children and youth ages six to 19 as they transition into Canadian society.

Provides services designed to address the academic, social, and emotional needs of immigrant and refugee children and youth ages six to 19 as they transition into Canadian society. SPARKS For Children is an after school program for children attending a new elementary school who want to improve their English, and build stronger social and emotional skills. Uses non-language based activities including games, art, stories, and sports to help children make new friends, practice English, and learn about Canadian culture. The Homework Club provides tutoring and homework help to students ages six to 12; drop-in hours are 4 pm to 6 pm Wednesdays. Adjustment Support Groups are art therapy programs for children ages six to 11 to process feelings such as grief and loss, separation from family members, loneliness or isolation, and past traumatic experiences in a safe environment. Youth Activity Night is a drop-in program that provides a safe and fun place for youth ages 13 to 19 to meet socially, participate in organized activities and community outings, and make new friends. Youth Strides Summer Camp is a week-long summer camp for youth ages 13 to 19 to meet other youth, develop leadership skills, and experience a cross-cultural outdoor camping experience. Contact to confirm dates and times for all programs.
Website

https://www.vircs.bc.ca/enable-program-for-children-and-youth
Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6
SPARKS For Children is an after school program for children attending a new elementary school who want to improve their English, and build stronger social and emotional skills. Uses non-language based activities including games, art, stories, and sports to help children make new friends, practice English, and learn about Canadian culture. The Homework Club provides tutoring and homework help to students ages six to 12; drop-in hours are 4 pm to 6 pm Wednesdays. Adjustment Support Groups are art therapy programs for children ages six to 11 to process feelings such as grief and loss, separation from family members, loneliness or isolation, and past traumatic experiences in a safe environment. Youth Activity Night is a drop-in program that provides a safe and fun place for youth ages 13 to 19 to meet socially, participate in organized activities and community outings, and make new friends. Youth Strides Summer Camp is a week-long summer camp for youth ages 13 to 19 to meet other youth, develop leadership skills, and experience a cross-cultural outdoor camping experience. Contact to confirm dates and times for all programs.

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Mailing Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6

Contact

Phone 1: 250-361-9433 Local 243

Fax: 250-361-1914

Email: brooke@vircs.bc.ca

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English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

Provided by Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS)
6 other services offered by this agency

Provides English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for individuals of all levels.

Provides English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for individuals of all levels. Beginner classes are offered from 1 pm to 3 pm Mondays and Tuesdays, Intermediate 1 pm to 3 pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, and Pronunciation classes 1 pm to 3 pm on Fridays (free for VIRCS students). Serves International students and visitors, Canadian Citizens, and permanent residents. Drop-in before class times for registration and assessment. Conversation Club is a free informal conversation group offered from 9:30 am to 11:30 am Thursdays, 1 pm to 4 pm Fridays through the Greater Victoria Public Library.
Website

www.vircs.bc.ca/esl
Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6
Beginner classes are offered from 1 pm to 3 pm Mondays and Tuesdays, Intermediate 1 pm to 3 pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, and Pronunciation classes 1 pm to 3 pm on Fridays (free for VIRCS students). Serves International students and visitors, Canadian Citizens, and permanent residents. Drop-in before class times for registration and assessment. Conversation Club is a free informal conversation group offered from 9:30 am to 11:30 am Thursdays, 1 pm to 4 pm Fridays through the Greater Victoria Public Library.

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Mailing Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6

Contact

Phone 1: 250-361-9433 Ext. 207

Email: esl@vircs.bc.ca

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Pathways 2 Professions Trades and Entrepreneurship (P2PTE) Program

Provided by Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS)
6 other services offered by this agency

Provides Canadian citizens (having arrived within the last five years), permanent residents, and refugees ages 18 to 30, with education, training, and experience in Canadian workplaces.

Provides Canadian citizens (having arrived within the last five years), permanent residents, and refugees ages 18 to 30, with education, training, and experience in Canadian workplaces. Camosun College delivers eight weeks of the Building Employment Success for Tomorrow (BEST) training to program participants, followed by 12 weeks of relevant paid work experience coordinated by VIRCS Youth Employment staff. Program includes group and individual language development support, individual career guidance to support decisions and gain essential skills, and a free ESL assessment. Funded by Service Canada.
Website

https://www.vircs.bc.ca/pathways-to-professions
Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6
Camosun College delivers eight weeks of the Building Employment Success for Tomorrow (BEST) training to program participants, followed by 12 weeks of relevant paid work experience coordinated by VIRCS Youth Employment staff. Program includes group and individual language development support, individual career guidance to support decisions and gain essential skills, and a free ESL assessment. Funded by Service Canada.

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Mailing Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6

Contact

Phone 1: 250-361-9433 Ext. 219 or 222

Email: nahla@vircs.bc.ca

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Resilience BC

Provided by Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS)
6 other services offered by this agency

BC-wide anti-racism network offers a multi-faceted approach in identifying and challenging racism.

BC-wide anti-racism network offers a multi-faceted approach in identifying and challenging racism. Using online information and education, the program connects individuals and communities to respond to and prevent incidents of racism and hate. Topic areas include rights and responsibilities, taking action against racism, and reporting a hate crime. Also offers an interactive map of network community organizations. The Resilience BC Hub is managed by VIRCS. Office hours are 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday. Funded by the Province of BC.
Website

www.resiliencebc.ca
Address

Victoria, BC
Using online information and education, the program connects individuals and communities to respond to and prevent incidents of racism and hate. Topic areas include rights and responsibilities, taking action against racism, and reporting a hate crime. Also offers an interactive map of network community organizations. The Resilience BC Hub is managed by VIRCS. Office hours are 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday. Funded by the Province of BC.

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Mailing Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6

Contact

Phone 1: 250-361-9433

Email: resiliencebc@vircs.bc.ca

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Welcome Gardens

Provided by Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS)
6 other services offered by this agency

Brings new immigrants and refugees together with local residents to grow food in household and community gardens.

Brings new immigrants and refugees together with local residents to grow food in household and community gardens. Participants receive and share resources to help start their gardens, attend free learning workshop and gardening tours, and take part in special group events.
Website

https://www.vircs.bc.ca/welcome-gardens
Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6
Participants receive and share resources to help start their gardens, attend free learning workshop and gardening tours, and take part in special group events.

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Mailing Address

1004 North Park Street
Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6

Contact

Phone 1: 250-361-9433

Email: cenitgardens@gmail.com

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Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS)

Website

Contact

Address

Mailing Address

7 services offered by: Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS)

BC Newcomer Services Program (BCNSP)

Website

Address

Mailing Address

Contact

Enable Program Women's Project

Website

Address

Mailing Address

Contact

Enable Program for Children and Youth

Website

Address

Mailing Address

Contact

English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

Website

Address

Mailing Address

Contact

Pathways 2 Professions Trades and Entrepreneurship (P2PTE) Program

Website

Address

Mailing Address

Contact

Resilience BC

Website

Address

Mailing Address

Contact

Welcome Gardens

Website

Address

Mailing Address

Contact