Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees

"The pandemic has signalled a shift in how society talks about mental health, and opened conversations about what the future of mental health care could look like. Companies have invested in an unprecedented quantity of mental health research, including in Canada, where major mental health organizations have actively monitored changes in people’s well-being over the course of the pandemic ... The [survey] results, researchers say, prove more Canadians are struggling with their mental health than ever before as a result of COVID-19. This has re-energized calls for systemic change in mental health care, particularly demands to include psychologists and psychotherapists under Canada’s publicly funded health-care system."

"In mid-December, the Quebec government launched a program that would grant residency to asylum seekers who’ve been working in the health-care system throughout the pandemic. But the program only applies to those who’ve worked directly with patients. It excludes many who worked other essential jobs, including cleaning staff in long-term care centres and hospitals, or other higher-risk positions deemed essential. Dejean and others present Saturday joined their voices to the many lawyers and humanitarian groups who have been calling for the program to be extended to all refugee claimants."

A New Year's message from the Victoria Multifaith Society, in the Times Colonist online edition this morning. A Happy New Year to all!

Tell us how you plan to give this #GivingTuesdayCA for a chance to WIN $5,000 from CanadaHelps to support your favourite charity! Contest closes November 30th. Enter today!

In the New Year, never forget to thank your past years because they enabled you to reach today! Without the stairs of the past, you cannot arrive at the future...! Mehmet Murat ildan, Turkish writer New Year, #NewLanguageNewYou... who dis? Let’s reach new language heights with #NaTakallam’s native partners this 2021: natakallam.com/conversation-sessions/ PS. Don’t miss a special 10% discount off our Integrated #Arabic Curriculum, using code YALLA at checkout! #WordoftheDay #HappyNewYear #WeSpeak #French #Persian #Spanish

Thanks for the shout out Restorative Justice Victoria and for all the good work you do too!

Happy #pumpkin season! Did you know, the #Spanish "calabaza" may originate from the #Persian word for "melon": "" (kharboze)? Interestingly, the English wo...rd "pumpkin" also derives from "melon" in Ancient Greek, "" (pepon)! Learn more with #NaTakallam's native #language instructors: natakallam.com/conversation-sessions/ #WordoftheDay #WeSpeak #Arabic #French

Yes, it's happening this year! We are excited to announce the Employment Opportunity Exchange for newcomers in partnership with Construction Foundation of Briti...sh Columbia on November 17thsave the date! This is a special virtual edition for Permanent Residents and other eligible participants not just in Victoria, but around Vancouver Island. We are working on an amazing online programme for you, so stay tuned for details next week! EOE - Victoria #EOE2020 #yyjevents #Employment #Newcomers

Serenading us with his beautiful music tomorrow is Sari Alesh, as our musical interlude for #EOE2020.

Something white if you’re in the #Levantine, twelve grapes if you’re in #Spain, galette des rois (Kings Cake) for the #Francophones, and a bucket of water out t...he window in #Venezuela! What’s your new year’s food tradition? Learn a #language and gain insight to your native tutors traditions: natakallam.com/conversation-sessions/ #NewLanguageNewYou #NaTakallam #FridayFood #WeSpeak

ICYMI we were honoured to be chosen as one of the 150 on the Giving Hearts Honour Roll for #NationalPhilanthropyDay November 15. Check out the amazing celebration video and thanks to Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) - Vancouver Island and Coast Capital Savings

#2020 has been a challenging year for everyone. If you’re a newcomer to Canada, your challenges are that much greater. Meeting new people is difficult, you’re n...avigating language barriers, and you’re adjusting to a new life. But congratulationsyou’ve done it 2020 is behind you. While the challenges don’t stop here, we’re right by your side for what’s to come. You’re part of our family now. Here’s to 2021, Here Family Happy New Year!

You can now register for WE ARE ONE! - An amazing and inspiring virtual event/show - commemorating Human Solidarity Day and the International Day of Persons With Disabilities. It's FREE by reservation at https://weareone.eventbrite.ca Not to be missed - truly!

"The project's artistic director, Amir Nizar Zuabi, said the purpose of The Walk was to highlight refugees' potential, not only their dire plight."

UBC volunteer students are offering a new program to teach the piano to newcomer refugee kids between 7 and 14. The weekly classes will occur on Saturdays, and ...instruments and music books will be provided. Enroll your kids, the program is free! More info at https://bit.ly/3kPCbZO #Refugees #RefugeeClaimants #BCRefugees #BCRefugeeHub #RefugeesWelcome #ubc #BCnewcomers #refugeekids #musicalliteracy #BCnewcomercamp #UBCCCEL #newcomerstonotes

"More than one in three survey respondents reported losing their jobs during COVID-19. Of those who lost work, a third reported ongoing problems in accessing the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or Employment Insurance. For those who kept working during the pandemic, nearly one in two reported longer hours of work, says the Migrant Rights Network. More than 40 per cent of respondents also said they were not paid for any extra hours of work, averaging $6,552 in unpaid wages per worker over the last six months, according to the report."

Today, we're renewing the call for a BC Ministry of Immigration, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism in a letter to Premier John Horgan. "Immigration, multicultura...lism, and anti-racism intersect with practically every existing provincial ministry. These are issues that are woven into the very fabric of our country and into all of the institutions that run our province." Read the letter here: https://www.amssa.org/about/media/ #cdnimm #immigration #multiculturalism #AntiRacism #Imm4BC

Via our friends at Here Magazine: On October 21st, join Belfry Theatre and Here In Canada as we co-present the online edition of The Flamea long-running storytelling event in Vancouver and Victoria hosted by Deborah Williams and Michelle Poirier Brown, and featuring five storytellers and a musical guest. The five storytellers were invited from the Storytelling Workshop for #Indigenous, #Black and #PeopleOfColour that took place on October 17 and 18, conducted by Deborah, fou...nder of The Flame #storytelling events. Click on the link to be updated! bit.ly/TheFlameOct21 #Storytelling #Representation #yyjevents #yyjarts See more

We are grateful to everyone who has voted for VICCR's project which is a finalist in the City of Victoria Participatory Budgeting. If you haven't voted yet, please help us win funding for our online #parenting courses, by following the link below (if you are a resident of the Capital Regional District), VOTE! and SHARE! Thank you! https://victoria.ethelo.net/page/welcome #yyj #parenting #COVID19 #refugees #immigrantsinvictoria #immigrants #mentalhealth

Today is #NationalComingOutDay, in celebration of all those who have made the courageous decision to come out, and all those taking this step.

Everyone deserves the right to be who they are. Happy Coming Out Day! #ComingOutDay

'This trend toward increasing acceptance is unmistakable, says Keith Neuman, senior associate of Environics. It does not appear to be the result of political or economic events. We don’t believe that events are shaping this trend, but rather that it is a reflection of how Canadian society is changing. Neuman notes there is a near consensus that immigration is good for the economy. A majority of respondents reject the notion that newcomers take jobs away from Canadians. People recognize that we need those people to fill jobs to keep the economy running, he said.'

ICYMI - you can VOTE and SHARE and help VICCIR get funding for our #parenting courses. Follow the link below to vote (if you live in the Capital Regional District): https://victoria.ethelo.net/page/welcome Read more and get step by step instructions to vote in the latest newsletter from VICCIR: https://mailchi.mp/5a61824994/news-from-viccir279777-723042... #yyj #parenting #COVID19 #refugees #immigrantsinvictoria #immigrants #mentalhealth

We're excited that VICCR's project is a finalist for the City of Victoria Participatory Budgeting. To help us win the funding for our online #parenting courses, you can VOTE! If you are a resident of the Capital Regional District, follow the link below and please SHARE! Thank you! https://victoria.ethelo.net/page/welcome #yyj #parenting #COVID19 #refugees #immigrantsinvictoria #immigrants #mentalhealth

On October 8th, participate in a skill-building workshop with a local First Nations artist, Sarah Underwood. Learn about First Nations culture and history while developing a new skill. See details on the photo to register for the "Evening of cultural sharing" beading workshop. For more info: email [email protected]

#Translation is not a matter of words only: it is a matter of making intelligible a whole culture. from A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, late English ...writer and composer. Happy #InternationalTranslationDay! Don’t forget, you can refer to #NaTakallam for your translation needs in 10+ #languages! Learn more: natakallam.com/translation/