On behalf of all the children, youth, families, volunteers, and staff at the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society we would like to express our gratitude for your kind donation to the Enable Program Giving Tree Campaign of 2011.
With your support, we served over 250 immigrant and refugee children and youth with their adjustment to Canada academically, emotionally and socially. “Not only that I made friend, also I made friends who can speak English too. I think it’s really important to new people in Canada” (17 years old girl from China).
Your donation has supported:
Sparks Program – Snacks and art supplies for children aged 6-11 who learn English, build social relationships and have fun in a safe, welcoming environment.
Homework Club and Tutoring – Snacks and bus tickets for over 35 children and youth who receive one-on-one academic support.
Youth Activity Night – Snacks, bus tickets, field trips and educational workshops for 20-30 youth weekly.
Youth Strides Summer Camp – Funds to host our 6th annual youth leadership and learning camp in Sooke this coming July.
Theatre Project – Funds to help 19 talented youth tell their stories in our “Where is Home” theatre project through 11 performances throughout Greater Victoria.
It is with much gratitude that we thank you for your financial support toward the Enable program. Your help has reached many and from the words of one of our youth “this program has help me so much…I have met a lot of people from the world. So I will be happy if it continues” (16 years old boy from Guatemala).
For Immigrant and Refugee Children and Youth (Ages 6-19)
The Enable Program serves children & youth at the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS). This project assists in the settlement of young newcomers to Canada. All activities are designed to address the emotional, academic and social adjustment needs of newcomer children and youth.
Sparks
At Sparks we use games, art, stories and sports to help children make new friends, practice their English and learn about Canadian culture. Sparks is a 10-week program that will be offered from October to December in Fernwood and from January to March in Gordon Head.
Age Range: 6-10
Schedule: Children can register for a 10-week session in September and January
Location: Frank Hobbs Elementary School 3875 Haro Rd., please contact the Enable Program for details.
Homework Club/Tutoring
Homework Clubs help students to succeed in their new school environments by providing one-on-one tutoring and homework help. Homework Clubs help students at any level with any school subject. It improves the students’ self-confidence and academic performance. Clubs meet once a week with qualified volunteer tutors. One-on-one tutoring is also available.
Age Range: 5-25
Schedule: Tuesdays, 4:00 – 6:00pm
Location: Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, Third Floor, 637 Bay Street, Downtown
Adjustment Support Groups
Facilitated by professional therapists, the Adjustment Support Groups provide extra support for students from diverse cultures by providing a safe environment for expressing and processing feelings about their immigration experiences. The group helps them overcome challenges such as grief and loss, separation from family members, loneliness or isolation and past traumatic experiences. The Adjustment Support Groups are offered in local elementary and middle schools and are only open to students of those schools.
Age Range: 6-10
Schedule and Location: In partnership with various schools as part of their regular programming. General neighbourhood would be Fernwood/Quadra area.
Youth Activity Night
Youth Activity Night provides a safe and fun place for youth to meet socially and make new friends once a week. Every week we offer a different activity, including arts, sports, field trips and cultural sharing activities. We do things like play basketball and volleyball, explore the arts, visit local parks and get to know Victoria better. Youth practice their English, have fun, learn new things and make friends from all over the world.
Age Range: 12-20
Schedule: Wednesdays, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Gordon Head Recreation Centre (4100 Lambrick Way)
Youth Theatre Project
15 youth will work with professional theatre and music facilitators to create an orginal play about their experiences of immigration. We will use theatre to explore issues like diversity, multiculturalism and what it’s like to move to a new country. This is a great chance to make new friends, express yourself, get volunteer experience and make a difference in your communities by sharing your experiences as newcomer youth. We will perform our show in theatres in the community and in some schools.
Age Range: 13-19
Schedule: Varied. Participants must register in September for the whole duration of the project.
Youth Strides is a week-long summer camp for immigrant and refugee youth. We particpate in various workshops and activities throughout the week, including the arts, leadership and outdoor recreation. Important world issues are explored such as racism, religion, media, cultural differences, and many more. Youth learn leadership skills, gain confidence, make new friends and successfully work toward their personal goals as they transition to life in Canada.
Ages: 13 – 18
July Summer Camp
Get your Thrifty's Smile Card today. Help Support VIRCS!
For more information contact:
Danny Tes, Enable Program for Children and Youth Coordinator enable@vircs.bc.ca
OR
Anna Chpilevaia, Enable Children and Youth Program Assistant Coordinator youth@vircs.bc.ca
