Settlement Orientation Services (SOS)

Supports the social and economic integration of newcomers in Vancouver who are not eligible to receive services from federally funded programs. Program serves refugee claimants, temporary foreign workers, Ukrainians who have arrived in Vancouver through the CUAET Program, post-secondary international students, provincial nominees who are not yet permanent residents, and recently naturalized citizens who continue to be dependent on settlement support; there may be eligibility restrictions for some services. Settlement services include orientation and guidance through the refugee claim process; assistance with filling out government forms; support in accessing health care and legal aid; cultural orientation and adjustment counselling; support finding housing, employment, and language training; and connections with local community services and resources. Housing services include information on the Greater Vancouver rental market, housing search assistance, and connections with landlords and rental building managers. Health supports include support for refugees and newcomers with HIV and creation of wellness plans and information on healthy living. Labour market services include job market information, connection to job opportunities, employment counselling, short-term pre-employment and certificate courses, help accessing WorkBC and other employment training and bridging programs, assistance with workplace safety or employment standards violations, and education on workplace rights and responsibilities, work safety, and workplace culture. Language services includes English conversation groups, and English language training. Drop-in and appointment-based services available in Spanish, Farsi, Dari, Arabic, Swahili, French, and English. Office hours are 8 am to 9:30 pm Monday to Friday. Funded in part by the Province of BC, City of Vancouver, and Vancouver Coastal Health.