ImmigrantLegal.ca

The Immigrant Public Legal Education and Information Consortium (IPC) operated from 2009 to March 31, 2014, with funding provided by the BC Ministry of Justice and the Government of Canada. IPC members included public legal education and information (PLEI) providers and immigrant serving agencies. In 2012 membership was expanded provincially to 23 agencies from across BC. IPC members worked collaboratively to provide legal education and information that enabled immigrants and refugees to understand the justice system, its laws, core legal values, law-related rights and responsibilities, options for resolutions, and the services and resources that could help them.

IPC Accomplishments

IPC developed and delivered a wide range of learning and networking opportunities for settlement agency staff, PLEI providers, legal service providers and immigrants. The focus was primarily on family law, family violence, residential tenancy, employment standards and employment insurance. Activity included the development and delivery of:

  • Cross -sectoral workshops (2010 – 2012)
  • Media campaigns (2010 – 2014)
  • The ImmigrantLegal website (2010 – 2014)
  • Webinars (2011)
  • Settlement Worker conference (2012)
  • The Family Law Act (FLA) Online Training Course (2012 – 2014)
  • The Settlement Workers Guide to Helping Clients with Legal Information and Legal Referrals (2014)

The IPC Legacy

IPC as a formal funded program ceased as of March 31, 2014. However, member agencies remain committed to continue to build on the work done and the relationships developed.

For 2014/15, Justice Education Society committed to maintain the www.ImmigrantLegal.ca website and to manage the delivery of a self-paced version of the FLA Online Training Course, which is now available on ImmigrantLegal.ca. Courthouse Libraries BC will maintain the Settlement Workers Guide as a Clicklaw Wiki Book.

The Justice Education Society (JES) of BC is the lead agency for the Immigrant PLEI Consortium. Established in 1989, JES is dedicated to building stronger communities by promoting understanding of, access to and confidence in our justice system, at home and abroad. This commitment is embodied in its tagline “Justice Through Knowledge”. A non-profit organization with volunteer and donor contributions from the public and private sectors, JES offers a wide array of justice-related resources and services for the general public, youth, immigrants, Aboriginals and persons with disabilities. Through its work, JES’ goal is to help communities at home and abroad better understand their role in an effective and accessible justice system.

The Legal Services Society (Legal Aid BC) helps newcomers and immigrants with family, child protection, immigration, and criminal law problems. This help could be:

• information about the law in print and online, and in multiple languages;
• help in person and over the phone, with free interpretation services where needed; and
• in serious cases, and if clients are financially eligible, legal aid lawyers for advice and representation in court.

People with low incomes are our priority but our legal information is for everyone.

The People's Law School is a non-profit charitable society providing public legal education and information to British Columbians since 1972. Our mandate is to facilitate and promote the development and distribution of public legal education and information for people in BC. Our efforts and results are focused on a British Columbia where everyone is legally literate and has the capacity to exercise their legal rights and responsibilities.

DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society is an accredited, registered non-profit agency offering a wide range of services and programs aimed at assisting new immigrants and refugees to integrate successfully into their new community. DIVERSEcity offers settlement services, counselling, employment, outreach and other services through five main departments: (1) Family Services, (2) Community Development, (3) Language Programs, (4) Career Services, (5) Fee for Service programs including Interpretation and Translation Services. The agency's mission is to promote the independence of new Canadians and build strong culturally diverse communities.

Since 1972 Immigrant Services Society of BC has been helping immigrants build a future by respecting co-workers, clients and the community, striving for excellence and innovation in programs and services, and valuing community and organizational diversity and teamwork. This goal has been achieved through delivering educational, settlement and employment services, developing partnerships with local communities, and promoting an integrated and equitable community.

MOSAIC is an accredited multilingual non-profit organization dedicated to addressing issues that affect immigrants and refugees in the course of their settlement and integration into Canadian society. MOSAIC's mandate is to support and empower immigrant and refugee communities, helping them to address critical issues in their neighborhoods and workplaces. Using advocacy, public education, community development, coalition building, and community bridging, MOSAIC fulfills a vision of equality, social justice, equal access, and democracy.

North Shore Multicultural Society provides programs and services that assist immigrant newcomers to achieve full, active and equal participation in Canadian life. We are a voice for social inclusion. We partner with other organizations, government, business and the larger community, offering meaningful opportunities for dialogue, learning and change. We are a leader in building a strong, diverse and welcoming North Shore.

Options Community Services(OCS) is a non-profit societyand registered charity dedicated to empowering individuals, supporting families promoting community health through wide variety of programs and projects. The clusters of the services OCS provides are as follows:Child Care, Counselling, Employment, Family and Child, Health, Housing, Immigrant, Mental Health, Shelter, Stopping the Violence, Youth, Volunteer and Crisis Line. ImmigrantServices at OCS provides immigrant and refugee newcomers in Surrey/North Delta with information about BC society, guidance and support on personal and family adjustment issues, and connect newcomers to the broader community.

Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society is a registered non-profit society in good standing. We are a United Way Agency with PCTIA certification. As a community services society, we provide various programs and services including Employment Programs, Settlement Services, Language Services, Social Programs and Housing Services. Our services assist new immigrants, seniors, farm workers, women and youth. We work diligently to provide responsive programs that address various issues within our community by promoting harmony and intercultural understanding of the purpose of building a more inclusive and mutually respectful society. PICS Society has been operating since 1987.

Established in 1973, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is one of the largest social service agencies in British Columbia. It is a charitable organization providing services in settlement, language training, employment, family and youth counselling, business and economic development, health care, housing and community development.

The Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society (IMSS) of Prince George is a non-profit community-serving agency providing settlement and integration services to immigrants and refugees throughout Prince George and the northern region of British Columbia. It strives to promote multiculturalism and racial harmony and to eliminate racism in the pursuit of equality and social justice for all Canadians.

FREE services provided by IMSS:

• Settlement Integration Program
• Vulnerable Immigrants Population Program
• English Language Services for Adults (ELSA)
• Child-minding on-site
• Arts Engagement Program
• Interfaith Bridging Program
• Seniors, Women and Youth Programs
• Computer Classes
• Multicultural Programs/Events

Since 1984, Inland has been helping almost 1,000 refugee claimant individuals and families who come to British Columbia every year. Our mission statement is: "Inland Refugee Society assists and supports refugee claimants in meeting their immediate needs and in adapting to their new home." We support refugee claimants through our different programs: finding temporary and permanent accommodation, clothing, English/Life Skills classes, food (food bank, community kitchen, food vouchers, nutritional education, baby formula), bus tickets, photos for immigration and health exams, and referrals to other support organizations and programs.

The Multicultural Helping House Society (MHHS) is a registered non-profit society and charitable organization dedicated to helping newcomers succeed in Canada. The MHHS is committed to helping immigrants from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds by providing necessary educational, social, emotional, economic and other support services. We believe in empowering newcomers to become contributing members of Canada by providing orientation, training, job search and other services that will enable them to integrate into Canadian society. We especially assist those who are disadvantaged due to language barriers, income or other circumstances beyond their control. We work in collaboration/partnership with other community organizations in British Columbia to meet the needs of clients.

The YMCA of Greater Vancouver is a charity dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community. With a commitment to nurturing the potential of children, teens and young adults, promoting healthy living and fostering social responsibility, the YMCA ensures that every individual has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive. Rooted in more than 1,000 communities around the country, the YMCA has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The YMCA has some newcomer programming and includes immigrants in all of its programs.

Abbotsford Community Services (ACS) is a large social service agency offering help to people. Every year, approximately 38,000 come through our doors looking for help from one or more of our 70 programs and services. From newborn babies to seniors - Abbotsford Community Services helps people of all ages. From women escaping violence to youth overcoming addictions - Abbotsford Community Services helps people in crisis. From newcomers in Canada to people with developmental disabilities - Abbotsford Community Services helps people feel like they belong. Abbotsford Community Services is People Helping People.

The Pacific Immigrant Resources Society’s (PIRS) mission is to empower immigrant and refugee women and children to fully participate in Canadian life through neighbourhood-based programs and our vision is a society that values the diverse contributions of immigrants and refugees and promotes the enrichment of their lives. PIRS delivers education and training, family support and settlement services across Vancouver, focussing on the most vulnerable women and children. We work in close collaboration with neighbourhood houses, family places, schools and other community agencies to ensure that we are where women and children need us and where we can support our partners the best.

The Cowichan Intercultural Society (CIS) is a Canadian registered charitable organization that has been serving the Cowichan Valley Region for 32 years. CIS is the leading community resource for immigrant/refugee settlement services, and for education and awareness in developing welcoming and inclusive communities. CIS provides multiple services and supports to numerous individuals, groups and communities and hosts community-building events in 11 communities in the Cowichan Valley Region, with more than 10,000 participants per year. Described as an integrated, accessible, and active organization, CIS works in partnership with over 40 community service providers and organizations to mutually strengthen and support our shared communities.

The South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services (Penticton & District Multicultural Society) is dedicated to building a community based upon mutual respect and full participation of all people of all backgrounds through education, advocacy, and community programs. Our services are: English Language Services for Adults (ELSA), Computer Classes, Settlement & Integration, Labour Market, Skills Connect, Workshops, Family, Employment & Youth Mentorship, Settlement Worker in Schools, & Volunteer & Community Bridging Services.

The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) helps individuals and organizations to connect across cultures. They provide information, support and tools to help immigrants reach their goals. By engaging people through networks, education and arts programming they create a welcoming community. The ICA's Immigrant Welcome Centre also addresses the special needs of newcomers, and provides tools to help facilitate their adjustment to a new life in Canada.

The Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS) is a non-profit organization that was founded in November 1989 by three former refugees. The centre helps immigrants, refugees, new Canadian citizens, and visible minorities settle and adapt into new lives in Greater Victoria. Annually, the multicultural staff serves an average of 3,000 clients from all over the world, and provides them with a wide range of services designed to increase the newcomer's participation in Canadian society, by helping them overcome barriers.

Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS) was initially established as an advocacy group to support newcomers facing barriers and challenges in settling in Richmond, as well as facing discrimination and racism. Today, Richmond Multicultural Community Services promotes a harmonious and inclusive society that values equality and diversity. At RMCS our mission is to foster intercultural harmony through leadership, collaboration, and quality service delivery. Annually, Richmond Multicultural Community Services hosts a wide range of programs and community events aimed at facilitating and promoting multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusiveness. They also provide a variety of services to immigrant and refugee communities in Richmond, and strive to welcome newcomers by assisting them with their initial settlement needs such as language development, job search skills and networking skills within the community.

Created in Richmond, British Columbia in 1973, CHIMO Crisis Services now serves over 10,000 individuals and families each year from different cultural backgrounds, age groups, family lifestyles, and economic situations. They provide diverse services, from community building to prevention, from individual crisis support to advocacy, and from peer support to education. Through a range of educational programs and workshops, CHIMO is also able to engage in collaborative community planning and develop innovative resources to address emerging needs in the community and help individuals and their families deal with difficult situations.

The Multicultural and Immigrant Services Association (known as: the Immigrant Welcome Centre) is a not-for-profit organization serving the North Vancouver Island region. Committed to supporting immigrants, refugees and the community at large, the Immigrant Welcome Centre provides essential links for newcomers and services throughout the region. Delivering excellent service, community referrals, collaboration and community development, the Immigrant Welcome Centre opens doors to welcome immigrants, refugees and their families to an increasingly diverse North Island population.