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We bring community leaders, organizations, and newcomers together to build welcoming & inclusive communities in the Tri-Cities.
This newsletter connects newcomers and service providers to community resources, events and initiatives that support newcomer inclusion and participation in the Tri-Cities.
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THIS ISSUE INCLUDES Events & Community Information | Newcomer Settlement | Career Resources | Civic Engagement & Volunteer Opportunities | Research & News Publications
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| Call for Applications: TCLIP Immigrant Advisory Table Members
We are looking for immigrant and refugees that lives or work in the Tri-Cities area to join a volunteer advisory role with the Tri-Cities Local Immigration Partnership!
The Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT) consists of individuals who represent a range of countries of origin, lengths of time in Canada, occupational backgrounds, ages and gender and various other forms of diversity.
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Members will have experience, knowledge, abilities, or skills related to Immigrant settlement and integration in the Tri-Cities. An IAT member's responsibilities would include, but not limited to:
- Review the TCLIP Strategic Plan to ensure it reflects immigrant and newcomer needs and priorities;
- Provide input to the TCLIP and its work by participating in IAT, Council and working group meetings;
- Act as a resource for Tri-Cities community service providers;
- Help lead or co-lead the implementation of strategic priorities in collaboration with other TCLIP members;
- Attend monthly IAT group meeting with other advisors and partners.
Application deadline: Friday March 31, 2023Note: this is a volunteer position, with a 1 year commitment; Applicants must live or work in the Tri-Cities to be eligible. Contact Natasha Camacho at natasha.camacho@success.bc.ca for any questions or inquiries.
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| heARTS and Minds - Using Expressive Arts to Foster Dialogue Around Mental Health
Mon, March 6 | 12:00 - 5:00pm | Old Mill Boathouse Banquet Hall, Port Moody This event is an early years’ forum for service providers hoping to foster mental health literacy in families with young children.
Join us to explore visual arts and creative writing to engage families in dialogue around mental health, learn how to build self-resiliency with trauma-informed care, and empower people to reconnect!
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The event is free to attend for all early years' service providers. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required. Priority will be given to early years' service providers that offer services and programs within the Tri-Cities. Lunches will be provided free of charge! Contact Chantel Spade at chantel.spade@success.bc.ca or 236.880.1089 for any questions about the event.
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March 20th Marks the Beginning of Celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year This is a festivity that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar, which also marks the first day of spring season. In Persian, it is known as "Nowruz" which means "new day'. The day of Nowruz has its origins in the Iranian religion of Zoroastrianism and is thus rooted in the traditions of the Iranian peoples; however, it has been celebrated by diverse
communities for over 3,000 years in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia. We wish those who celebrate this holiday a Happy Nowruz!
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| Taste of the Tri-Cities - Tri-Local Collective Launched in 2021, Tri-Local’s Taste of the Tri-Cities is an annual food and drink festival designed to highlight the amazing restaurants, eateries, pubs, breweries, distilleries and cafes in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. The annual month-long event has returned until Sunday, March 12, 2023. Participating eateries will offer special set menus, exclusive discounts, tasty take-out features, and/or exclusive offerings.
This year, over 50 restaurants and eateries are participating in this festival all across the Tri-Cities. Learn more
HERE.
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PeaceGeeks' Newcomer Survey - Participate for a chance to win $100. Did you know only 23% of newcomers in Canada access government-funded settlement services during their first year? PeaceGeeks is eager to learn how other newcomers are getting information and support for their journeys.
PeaceGeeks will doing a draw for a $100 gift card when the survey closes, in appreciation of your time.
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Workshop for International Students: Be More Than a Bystander | MOSAIC
Tue, March 7 | 4:30 - 5:30pm | Online International Students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in British Columbia who identify as a woman are welcome to join MOSAIC in this free workshop to learn more about gender-based violence. Learn about healthy relationships and rights as international students; discuss gender-based violence and safety tips; connect with students from various institutions.
| ICBC Knowledge Test Preparation Sessions (Farsi) | ISS of BC
Sat, March 11 - April 29 | 1:00 - 3:00pm | New WestminsterISS of BC is offering 8 classes on Saturdays that will help prepare you for the ICBC driver's knowledge test in order to get a Class 7 or Class 5 driver license. The program will also offer a field trip to one of the ICBC licensing office during the last session. Register to learn how to better prepare for the multiple choice knowledge test. Contact Mahdia Mehrzard at mahdia.mehrzad@issbc.org or 236-888-7425 to register or if you have any questions
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CELPIP Speaking Component Workshop (English) | SUCCESS
Wed, March 15 | 2:00 - 4:00pm | Online This CELPIP test preparation webinar will help you perform at your best on the Speaking component of the test. This is a free interactive lesson that is focused on the Speaking component of the CELPIP Test. You will learn about the format of each Speaking task, how the responses are scored, and speaking strategies and tips to help you perform at your best on test day. Eligibility: work/study permit, and refugee claimants.
| Newcomer Income Tax Clinic (Free) | MOSAIC
Fri, March 24 | 1:00 - 5:00pm | BurnabyMOSAIC is offering free income tax clinics for low-to-middle income families to assist with filing their tax returns and answer any tax-related questions. Schedule:
- Mondays/Wednesdays from 3:00PM —8:00PM
- Fridays from 1:00PM—5:00PM
- Saturdays Mar 11, 25, Apr 15, 22 from 10:00AM—3:00PM
Location: 5575 Boundary Road, Burnaby
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English as an Additional Language - ESL Pathways Program Info Session | Vancouver Community College ESL Pathways at Vancouver Community College is an intensive English program (Canadian Language Benchmark Levels 5-9) designed to help students learn the English skills they need to work, study, and participate in everyday life. ESL Pathways can also help students enter college programs across BC. Check out an upcoming info session here:
ESL Pathways at Vancouver Community CollegeAttend an information session and you will learn about how to assess your language level, how to apply and register, what you can study after you improve your English, and how to apply for student loans if you are low income. Please bring a language assessment test or course results if you have them.
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Diverse Abilities Hiring Fair | Work BC Tri-Cities
Thur, April 20 | 11:00am - 3:00pm | Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam WorkBC Tri-Cities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody) invite you to the Diverse Abilities Hiring Fair (DAHF), a hiring event designed specifically for job seekers with disabilities. The event aims to connect inclusive employers with job seekers who are eager to contribute their unique skills to the local workforce. Current list of confirmed employers include: City of Vancouver, ALS Global, Covenant House Vancouver, ICBC, and more!
This hiring event is FREE and will be held in person at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC). Limited space available, registration required.
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Creating Effective Resumes Workshop | Coquitlam Library
Tues, March 14 | 2:00 - 3:30pm | Online Join this online presentation to learn effective skills on creating effective resumes. Join this online free career workshop, where you'll learn: the purpose of an effective Resume; different types of Resumes; strategies to make your Resume attractive to potential employers. This tutorial will be offered through Zoom. Everyone are welcome, registration is required.
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Drop-in Mock Interview Practice with an Employer | ISS of BC
Wed, March 22 | 1:00 - 4:00pm | ISS of BC Office, Vancouver This drop in session is for all newcomer job seekers who are looking to build confidence and gain practice for interviewing with an employer. The AI interview practice provides participants with the opportunity to answer any questions related to the job and industry you are applying for. Feedback is available to you within 24hrs after your interview practice. Limited space available, registration required.
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Exhibitor's Registration
Tue, May 9, 2023| 10:00am to 3pm| Event Croatian Cultural Centre |3250 Commercial Drive, VancouverThe Job Fair is one of MOSAIC’s signature events and this year they are celebrating their 11th anniversary! During last year’s event, MOSAIC connected 1100+ attendees with various employers through 3700 chats. Afterwards, 88% of employers planned to follow up with attendees! This year, MOSAIC is bringing the in-person event back. Become an Exhibitor to receive:
- Access to 2000+ attendees
- Company logo and corporate link on the event website (until spring 2024)
- Logo on SkyTrain station advertisements
- Social media mentions
- Opportunity to distribute recruiting materials at the event
- 4’ x 6’ table with linen & 2 chairs
- Lunch & refreshments for 2 people on event day
- Free wireless internet & power
Early Bird Rate – $700 (until March 31st, 2023) Regular Rate – $850
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| Physicians Needed for Research: Refugee Care in Primary Care
Calling for Family Physicians practicing in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island! Health researchers from UBC and UVic are looking to determine barriers & opportunities that doctors face when delivering Primary Care to refugees in B.C. Participation involves 10-15 minutes of your time to fill in a web-based questionnaire on Qualtrics. All responses are anonymous. Eligibility:
- Family physicians practicing in regions covered by Island Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Fraser Health.
- Active membership with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC
Learn more about this research questionnaire HERE
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Latest Immigration News in Canada:
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Canada breaks record by welcoming over 550,000 new international students in 2022 -
CIC News
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Canada may fast-track immigration applications for those in earthquake zones
- Maple Ridge News
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Federal government kicks in $1.8 million to revitalize Vancouver‘s Chinatown -
Vancouver Sun
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Report: High immigration targets likely to benefit western provinces -
CIC News
| FIRST READING: Canada is scaring away its new immigrants -
National Post
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Recent Immigration Research and Statistics Report:
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Official language proficiency and immigrant labour market outcomes: Latest Data Updates -
Statistics Canada
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Syrian Refugee Lived Experience Project | Final Research Report and Policy Recommendations
- Environics Institute
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Share your event or initiative with us! News items featured in the e-newsletter are sourced, provided to us by our partners or accessed through open data sources. To include your news and events in our next update, please email
the TCLIP Team.
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