The settlement services team is here to support you in a variety of first languages. Our hope is to see you and your family make Canada your new home. All programs and services are free! We provide essential services to newcomers* and immigrants as they settle and adapt to life in Canada. We can help you understand and identify your needs in areas such as:
- Settlement & Orientation Services
- Information & Referrals
- Settlement Case Management Program
- English Language Skills
- Childcare Services, Children & Youth School & Education
- Employment and Career Development
- Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada Matters
- Health & Wellness
- BC Housing & Rental Services
- Immigrant Women & Youth Leadership
- Youth & Preteens Connection
- Parent & GrandParent Connections – Newcomer Seniors
- One-on-one and group support in English, Mandarin, Tagalog and Spanish
- Developing community connections and networks – we can connect you with professional networks, LGBTQ+ Groups and activities
Programs & Services
Permanent Residents & Conventional Refugees
Employment program
Settlement workers are available to help newcomers with resumes, interview skills, employment resources, and referrals. They also offer group employment sessions on topics such as job finding and resume building. For more information, contact one of our settlement workers or call 604-435-0323.
English classes (LINC)
Monday-Friday, 9 am-12 pm
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) offers free English onsite classes for newcomers* aged 19+ following the latest provincial guidelines to provide a safe and inclusive environment for attendees. Students learn from certified and experienced teachers in a supportive environment. For more information or to register, contact Yndira at linc@cnh.bc.ca or 604-366-9142.
(*) Eligibility: Permanent Residents and Government-assisted Refugees only.
Preschool for children of LINC students
Onsite preschool for children (3 to 5 years of age) is available for students with children who attend LINC classes. Preschool children learn, play, make new friends, in a safe and learning environment with a qualified ECE staff member. Parents can feel comfortable and confident focusing on their studies.
CNH’s LINC Preschool program is taking all the provincial guidelines into consideration for parents and children, offering interactive and engaging sessions that incorporate the children’s interests following School Board guidelines and Reggio Emilia standards as well. Activities include arts and crafts, music, history time, science, games, dance, exercise, and show and tell for children 3 years to 5 years old. These activities provide an opportunity to develop positive and engaging relationships for children in a more structured environment.
Settlement services
Available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, and other languages
Settlement workers are available to provide free, online individual help to newcomers, including:
- Navigating the immigration process
- Navigating social services
- Finding employment resources
- Referrals for English language training and support
- Life skills training and group workshops on topics such as housing, health, education, citizenship and legal information
For more information, contact one of our settlement workers or call 604-435-0323.
Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW), Refugee Claimants, Provincial Nominees (PNP), International Students & Naturalized Citizens
Settlement workers are available to provide free, online individual help including:
- Navigating the immigration process (i.e. work permits, permanent residency applications)
- Navigating social services
- Finding employment resources
- Referrals for English language training and support
- Life skills training and group workshops on topics such as housing, health, education, citizenship, and legal information
For more information, contact one of our settlement workers or call 604-435-0323.
Immigrant Youth Services
We offer a variety of programs to help newcomer youth integrate into life in Canada.
All Girls Group
Saturdays, 2:30-4:30 pm
A fun, welcoming space creating an inclusive environment for young females dealing with patriarchal and misogynistic forms of oppression. Creating healthy relationships, group sessions, communication, discussions around cultural values, consent, boundaries, dating and more. Activities promote empowerment, being able to create bonds with other girls, develop life skills such as confidence, caring, character, social, emotional, and physical competence, and community contribution.
Eligibility: Newcomer* immigrant girls ages 12 –18 years. Registration is required.
Newcomers Preteens Mentorship Program
Runs weekly in Renfrew Elementary & Norquay Elementary School. Focusing on life skills building, practicing the English language, and developing social skills through group dynamics. Spaces are limited to encourage social distancing and registration is required.
Newcomer Programs for Pre-Teens
Free programs and activities are provided to youth new to Canada, to support building their connection with their new community. Programs are based at schools or at CNH.
For more information, e-mail Robert Moya at rmoya@cnh.bc.ca or Karen Caguioa at kcaguioa@cnh.bc.ca. This program is funded by the National Settlement Program – Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada.
Newcomer Youth Sports & Fitness
Saturdays, 3-8 pm
Newcomer* youth are welcome to play, practice, and train with their peers at the CNH gymnasium (5288 Joyce St). This is a proven model to build self-confidence in youth and bring the community together through supervised sports and recreation. With a diverse group of youth, the young newcomer will learn to approach their experience of integration into Canadian society building a sense of belonging and developing an interest to fully participate. Our settlement team is trained to provide welcoming space and discipline assisting newcomer youth in their process of integration.
Youth Leadership & Skills Development
For newcomers high school students. We facilitate a professional development initiative every Thursday from 4 to 7 pm where we are able to offer focused support to high school students who are building their resume, employability skills, creating opportunities to gain work experience/volunteer hours, and give their free time to community connection initiatives.
One-to-One support from a Youth Settlement Worker is available for vulnerable youth to help newcomer* youth navigate needs related to school, finding employment, family, housing, health care, mental health supports, or other needs to help achieve their goals.
