Enable programs service young immigrants, refugees and their families through Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS). If you have recently moved to Greater Victoria and area as a refugee or immigrant and would like to become involved in Enable programs check out below to see where you might be interested. Weekly programs run between the months of September to Jun.
Youth Activity Night
What?
Meet other young immigrant and refugee people from all over the world, have lots of fun and check out cool things around Victoria.
See what we are doing this month!
Who?
Any immigrant or refugee youth between the ages of 12 and 20
When?
Every Wednesday evening from 6-8 pm
Where?
Boys and Girls Club, 3rd Floor, 1240 Yates Street
Homework Clubs & One-on-One Tutoring
What?
The homework clubs and 1-on-1 tutoring program helps you with your homework. Our awesome volunteers will help you with your school work so you can succeed in your new school.
Who?
Any immigrant or refugee student may attend we have several programs check below to see which one you’d fit into best!
When & Where?
Tuesdays 4-6 pm
VIRCS ESL Classroom, 3rd Floor, 637 Bay St.
Adjustment Support Groups
What?
Small groups explore settlement challenges through art projects with the guidance of a professional art therapist along with a teacher/counselor from the school.
Who?
Each program has 6-8 youth and runs once per school year for 8-10 weeks. The children and youth participating may be facing difficult transitions within their first years in Canada.
When & Where?
Please contact us to find out more information as the groups fill
up quickly.
Youth Strides
What?
Youth STRIDES is a week long summer training project for immigrant and refugee youth. After a week long immersion process the youth build friendships, learn new skills and explore what it means to be an immigrant and refugee youth in Canada.
Who?
Youth over 13 who are immigrants or refugees living in Canada who are passionate about their cultures and want to teach others about it.
When & Where?
STRIDES runs for one week in the summer. If interested in applying for this unique project please call Negin at 361-9433 x.203 or e-mail at enable@vircs.bc.ca.
Sparks is a fun weekly activity and includes arts, crafts, recreation, games and outings such as the Imax and Bowling. It is a safe environment where kids can share their ideas and experiences in a non-judgmental space. They learn about safety, confidence and the value of diversity at the same time as having fun.
Who?
Ages 5 – 12 years
When & Where?
10:30am - 12:30am Saturday's
Fairfield Community Place, 1330 Fairfield Road
Project ENABLE also offers many other services including counseling services
to parents and students dealing with similar issues.
If you are interested in joining any Enable program, or finding out more about our programs or other services please contact Negin Naraghi at (250) 361-9433 x. 203 or email enable@vircs.bc.ca.
Want to help with this initiative to support young newcomers and their families, please contact Negin to find out ways you can become involved.
Youth Strides- Free Summer Camp for Immigrant and Refugee Youth!
Youth Strides is looking for applicants and volunteers! Youth Strides is a week long summer immersion camp, training and sharing camp for immigrant and refugee youth.
When: July 18th-July25th, 2009 Where: Camp Barnard, Sooke, BC Youth: Aged 13-19 years old
Youth Strides is a week long summer camp for refugee and immigrant youth. Throughout the week, youth will be immersed in workshops and activities about social justice issues. Important World issues will be explored such as racism, religion, media, cultural differences, and many more. Youth will learn skills and techniques to further enable them in leadership capacities within the community. Youth Strides will equip applicants with hands-on skills and experience, life skills and will also include plenty of time for friendship, conversation, and laughter.
Situated in Camp Barnard in Sooke, the youth will get to go on outdoor adventures such as: hikes. Nature walks, kayaking and nightly camp fires. In addition to our workshops we will be focusing a great deal on the arts with lots of music, dance and theatre!
Last year 17 youth from ten different countries were able to participate in this . This cross cultural living experience is transformative for many. One youth from last year remarks:
“Because everyone is so different I don’t feel different, I feel like no one is judging me for how I look, instead liking me for who I am. I feel like I can be myself. This is the first time I’ve felt community since I’ve left my country.” - Aged 17, from Sudan, living in Canada for two years.
20 youth will be selected to participate that are passionate about multiculturalism and social justice issues. Please share the attached poster and application with youth in your networks that would benefit from this project.
If you are interested in finding out more about this project please contact Negin Naraghi, Enable Coordinator at 361-9433 ext.203, or by e-mail enable@vircs.bc.ca.
