Spring or Summer is sort of in the air

This month's bulletin is a little later than usual but it just means we have more to tell you about what's been going on at VIRCS. Thank you again to all our amazing volunteers for your hard work and energy across so many areas of VIRCS - we couldn't do it all without you!

You can click for more details.

• VIRCS Annual General Meeting 2011: speakers and votes this July 28th

• The Global Fashion Show 2011 Return, WE NEED A LOT VOLUNTEERS

  

Last years show was a sell out and all the profits went to VIRCS. If you didn't catch it, check out the website to see some of the stunning outfits that graced the catwalk at: www.globalfashions.org. The 2011 show is being held on Sunday, August 28th at The Delta Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa Ballroom from 6:30 to 10pm, and tickets go on sale in July. Events include a silent auction, desserts and coffees, cash bar, door prizes and the Amazing Show!

Want to get involved? Volunteers are needed so please contact Krissy, our Volunteer Coordinator at: volunteer@vircs.bc.ca

You can click for detail

• Settlement Services at VIRCS Seeks Volunteer Translators and Interpreters

  

Settlement Services at VIRCS Seeks Volunteer Translators and Interpreters

-All languages welcome

• Income tax return of 2010 is finished

BIG THANK YOU to all our volunteer accountants who made sure that all those complicated but very important tax forms were completed on time for our clients. If you are interested in joining the program next January and February, please contact Krissy Yang at volunteer@vircs.bc.ca . Phew! That's it all done for another year.

• Homework Club is now recruiting for September

• Seeking Professional Mentors

As many of you already know, VIRCS provides service, support and grants for newcomers with professional skills and training to re-qualify to work in their fields here through the Skills Connect program. We are still very much in need of volunteer mentors in all the fields.

• Interview Workshops is Looking for Volunteer Interviewers

  

VIRCS is running mock interview workshops again during the month of June. We are recruiting volunteers to be the interviewers to help the clients to practice their interview skills.

Homework Club is now recruiting for September

School holidays are almost here (yay) but VIRCS is already looking ahead to the next Fall term (boo). But school can be way more fun with your very own homework buddy. If you are a maths whizz, history buff or excel at English and would like to get involved in the after school drop-in program on Tuesdays from 4-6pm at VIRCS then get some paper out, sharpen your pencils and...oh, all right then, e-mail Danny at danny@vircs.bc.ca or call on 250-316-9433 ext 245 to get your name on the register! Whatever your area of knowledge there is someone who needs your help.

If you can't make the Tuesday class and are interested in the tutoring program, Danny runs that too.

Seeking Professional Mentors

As many of you already know, VIRCS provides service, support and grants for newcomers with professional skills and training to re-qualify to work in their fields here through the Skills Connect program. We are still very much in need of volunteer mentors in all the fields.

To learn more about the program, please contact Marian Britto, our mentor coordinator on 250-361-9433 ext209 or e-mail marian@vircs.bc.ca. Alternatively, you can also contact me (Krissy Huibillo Yang) at volunteer@vircs.bc.ca or on 250-361-9433 ext 212.

VIRCS Annual General Meeting 2011: speakers and votes this June 28th

As a Charitable Society, every year VIRCS brings its society members together to share the past year's successes and decide on a new direction for the future. The event is open to everyone and we would all be delighted to see you there. This year our Annual General Meeting will be held at the Central Baptist Church at 833 Pandora Street from 7-9pm. This is a family-friendly event.

To become a member (with the right to vote), please email via reception@vircs.bc.ca.

Interview Workshops

VIRCS is running mock interview workshops again during the month of June. We are inviting our clients to come and practice their interview technique, be filmed and receive feedback from our volunteer interviewers who have kindly offered their time and experience to help out. Volunteers also attended a short workshop which reviewed the best practices of multicultural interviewing. Everyone raised valuable issues and generated lots of ideas and the role playing game raised a few laughs too.

If you are also interested in being an interviewer please contact Krissy: volunteer@vircs.bc.ca and we will get in touch with you.

Settlement Services at VIRCS Seeks Volunteer Translators and Interpreters

Immigrant Settlement Services are for immigrants and refugees who live in the Greater Victoria area.

Our settlement workers provide assessment, orientation, information, referrals, adjustment support, and service linking and bridging including accompaniment.

We are currently seeking volunteers who speak, read, and write english and a second language to translate and interpret for new immigrants and refugees. If you have a second language (or more) and have an interest in helping out we would love to hear from you.

We are also seeking volunteers to child mind for 2 hours during Settlement workshops, which take place throughout each month, usually in the afternoon.

Settlement offers a variety of workshops for new immigrants and refugees and if you have interest and experience in facilitation, or a skill, knowledge base or passion for something you imagine could be useful for our clients, we would like to hear more about your ideas.

For more information contact Krissy, volunteer coordinator at volunteer@vircs.bc.ca

The Global Fashion Show 2011 Returns

Last years show was a sell out and all the profits went to VIRCS. If you didn't catch it, check out the website to see some of the stunning outfits that graced the catwalk at: www.globalfashions.org. The 2011 show is being held on Sunday, August 28th at The Delta Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa Ballroom from 6:30 to 10pm, and tickets go on sale in July. Events include a silent auction, desserts and coffees, cash bar, door prizes and the Amazing Show!

Want to get involved? Volunteers are needed so please contact Krissy, our Volunteer Coordinator at: volunteer@vircs.bc.ca if you think you can help with the following areas:

Poster/Rack Card Distributors (4 or 5)
Date: First and Second week of July.

Silent Auction Coordinators (2)

Date: August 28th from 2pm to 10:30pm.

Hosts (So important!) ( 10 )

Date: 3pm to 10:30pm August 28th.

Lighting/Tech Crew (at least 2)

Date: from 12pm on August 28th to 10:00pm.

Taxing Time

BIG THANK YOU to all our volunteer accountants who made sure that all those complicated but very important tax forms were completed on time for our clients. There was a lot of very hard work involved and we really appreciate the efforts made to get everything done on time. We have successfully filed 95 tax returns and helped more than 200 low income families with their tax issues. If you are interested in joining the program next January and February, please contact Krissy Yang at volunteer@vircs.bc.ca . Phew! That's it all done for another year.

Marvelous March!

Despite February being the shortest month of the year, it was still jam-packed with an outstanding selection of events, performances, and programs. Thank-you to all of our wonderful, dedicated, and enthusiastic volunteers for another super month at VIRCS!

With spring well on its way (well, sort of), March is here, with more opportunities to participate and learn. Here are the latest:

Open House

-Join us on Wednesday, March 30th, from 3:30-5:30, for our Open House Event!

-Yummy multi-cultural food provided

-Seeking Volunteers for this event for a variety of positions

SETTLEMENT

Settlement Services at VIRCS Seeks Volunteer Translators and Interpreters

-All languages welcome

ENABLE

It's not too late to see "Where is Home?", the Enable Theatre Project Production!

-Reserve your tickets now for Friday, March 25th!

Enable Program Seeks Volunteers to Work With Children, Youth and Young Adults

-Summer programs starting soon!

HOST PROGRAMS

Fossil Fair for Kids!

-Meet us at VIRCS at 10:30 am on Saturday March 26th and admission is free

-Fun for the whole family!

-Check out ancient fossils of plants and animals!

Host Program Cycle Begins in April, Call for Volunteers!

-Our next pairing of newcomers and volunteers begins in April

-Be a part of our popular Be-Friends and Family Friendship Programs

I-YES

I-YES: Congratulations and Thanks!

Canadian Cancer Society is Seeking Youth Volunteers

-Seeking youth volunteers to sell our daffodil pins on April 27th

-Raise funds and raise awareness about the Society

Seeking Professional Accountant Volunteers

-Tax time is upon us again and we can use your expertise!

Seeking Professional Accountant Volunteers

We are seeking professional, experienced accountants to volunteer with us during this tax season, assisting our clients with their taxes.
If you are interested please contact Krissy the Volunteer Coordinator at:volunteer@vircs.bc.ca
Much Appreciated!

Open House

It is our pleasure to invite you to our open house which is on March 30th, from 3:00 to 5:30pm.

As a famous feature of VIRCS' open house, delicious food, drinks are provided. And friends from all over the world to mingle. We look forward to your coming !!!
And our address is 3rd floor, 637 Bay Street.

We are currently seeking volunteers for this event for the following positions:

• 1 driver
• 10 people for food preparation from 12:30-2:30
• 14 food runners from 3 to 5:30
• 12 volunteer to help to coordinate

If you are interested contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 250-361-9433 x.212.

Canadian Cancer Society is Seeking Youth Volunteers

April is Daffodil month for the Canadian Cancer Society, and what that means is that the Canadian Cancer Society for the entire month goes out into the communities all across this country to accomplish two main things: to raise awareness about CCS and cancer in general, and to raise funds for cancer research, support and treatment.

We are hoping to recruit some youth volunteers on one day in particular, Pin Day -April 27th, to help us raise some funds and exposure for the CCS.

Those volunteers would hopefully be accompanied by other youths from other schools in malls throughout the Greater Victoria region (Hillside, The Bay Center, Mayfair, Tillicum) and would be selling our Daffodil Pin in high traffic areas within that mall. Because it’s a school day, the shift would be between 3-5,6pm, depending on the closure of the mall.
If anyone is interested, or if you require any additional information, we would be happy to assist you.
Pls call 250-414-4251

Settlement Services at VIRCS Seeks Volunteer Translators and Interpreters

Immigrant Settlement Services are for immigrants and refugees who live in the Greater Victoria area.

Our settlement workers provide assessment, orientation, information, referrals, adjustment support, and service linking and bridging including accompaniment.

We are currently seeking volunteers who speak, read, and write english and a second language to translate and interpret for new immigrants and refugees. If you have a second language (or more) and have an interest in helping out we would love to hear from you.

We are also seeking volunteers to child mind for 2 hours during Settlement workshops, which take place throughout each month, usually in the afternoon.

Settlement offers a variety of workshops for new immigrants and refugees and if you have interest and experience in facilitation, or a skill, knowledge base or passion for something you imagine could be useful for our clients, we would like to hear more about your ideas.

For more information contact Krissy, volunteer coordinator at volunteer@vircs.bc.ca or VIRCS Settlement Workers:

Haixia Liu (Mandarin, Cantonese) haixia@vircs.bc.ca
250-361-9433 x. 241

Robertina Saavedra (Spanish) robertina@vircs.bc.ca
250-361-9433 x. 240

It's not too late to see "Where Is Home?", the Enable Program's Theatre Project Production!

What: "Where is Home?" An Enable Theatre Project Production

Who: The Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS)

When: Performances remaining are on March 18 and 25 at 7pm

Where: Intrepid Theatre Club, 2-1609 Blanshard Street

Reserve tickets by emailing theatrevircs@gmail.com, and pick them up at the door.

Young immigrants tell their stories in the poignant original theatre piece, "Where is Home?"
The piece is based on the real life experiences of immigrant and refugee youth living in Victoria, performed by the youth themselves. They have created an original and emotion-filled performance depicting the challenges of immigration, cultural adjustment, family dynamics and "fitting-in" to the Canadian school system.
All performances will be followed by an interactive discussion where the audience will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the presented topics with the performers themselves. The performance is directed by local theatre facilitator Yasmine Kandil with original music by Enrique Rivas.
"Where is Home?" promises to be a deeply moving experience for performers and audience members alike. A teenage audience member last year said, "I did not know that other immigrants felt like I did. I no longer feel that immigrants are second-class citizens."
For more information contact:
Negin Naraghi, Theatre Manager, theatrevircs@gmail.com
OR
Megan Thom, Enable Program for Children and Youth Coordinator
enable@vircs.bc.ca, (250) 361-9433 ext. 203
www.vircs.bc.ca

Enable Program Seeks Volunteers to Work With Children, Youth and Young Adults

The Enable Program is for children and youth under 25 years old. Volunteers are needed for the following activities and programs:

• Children's English Language Classes
• Youth Summer Training Camp

For more detailed information on the program please check out the Enable information flyer:
http://www.vircs.bc.ca/youth_young/files/enable/Enable_Flyer_2010_FINAL.pdf

or have a look at the VIRCS main website at:
http://www.vircs.bc.ca/youth_young/enable.php

Enable Coordinator:
Megan Thom
(250) 361-9433 x 203 or
mail: enable@vircs.bc.ca
637 Bay St. (3rd Floor)
Victoria BC
or
Danny Tes
(250) 361-9433 x 245
mail: danny@vircs.bc.ca

Fossil Fair for Kids!

Our next group event is:
Fossil Fair for Kids!!The Victoria Paleontology Society is hosting its 15th Annual Fossil Fairon March 26-27th at the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary (3873 Swan Lake Rd)
The Fair has a display of diverse ancient fossil animals and plants, including:dinosaur bones, corals, mollusks, insects, giant palm leaves, and more!

This Fair is educational and open to the public! Children can do these activities: sandbox fossil dig, fossil scavenger hunt,fossil coloring, rubbings, and more!
Date for our group: Saturday, March 26th. Meet at VIRCS at 10:30am (or, if you prefer to drive, meet us at the Fair at 11am) to take the bus.Fair is Free of Cost for us!
Please, let me know if you are coming, and how many persons you will be! Also, ask your family match if they are interested and plan to join!
Thank you,
-- Francina Potes

Program Coordinator

Cultural Bridging Friends Program

Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society

637 Bay St, 3rd Floor. Victoria BC

(250) 361-9433 x.242

francina@vircs.bc.ca

Host Program Cycle Begins in April, Call for Volunteers!

Our now Host Program cycle begins in April which is the beginning of the next pairing of newcomers and volunteers in our popular Be-Friends and Family Friendship Programs.

For those who are unfamiliar with the program, Be-Friends pairs adults aged 19-30 and Family Friendship pairs parents of any age. A volunteer who has lived here for 3 years or more is paired with a newcomer based on shared interests, and the two spend an hour or so each week doing things they both enjoy and talking about life in the city.

This is a great program for people who work full-time, and includes great training and bi-monthly group activities; all during evenings or weekends!

Participating in this free program will allow you to meet more people, make new friends, and enjoy multi-cultural events and more! Sign-up to participate in this fun-filled, rewarding, cross-cultural program!

Contact: Francina
250-361-9433, ext 242 / email: francina@vircs.bc.ca
Website: www.vircs.bc.ca/host/main.php

I-YES: Congratulations and Thanks!

A big and hearty congratulations to the first group of I-YES participants who have graduated from this pilot program which began in October 2010, and wrapped up with certificates and a party and potluck on March 5th. It wouldn't have been possible without the dedicated volunteers who gave their time and talents. Thank you to volunteers Kaitlyn Cummings, Tarek Ajak, Natalia Martynova, Tali Moody-Cohen and Stephen Thornton. Thank you also to practicum students who joined us each week: Kay Otani, John Nsabima, Takayo Ishii, Melissa Chong and Rosemary Bockner.

Special thanks to Paddy Kennedy for her Speak-Up program, which culminated in a very successful show, Voices of the World, and powerful performances by the I-YES youth. Thank you also to Mike Sheehan for his dedicated work on this program.

Fabulous February

Hello amazing VIRCS volunteers!

Happy Chinese new year! The month of January has come and gone and things are in full swing here at VIRCS as per usual. February will be a busy month and despite the cold and rainy weather things at VIRCS are as exciting and lively as ever! We are so lucky to have so many dedicated, energetic and talented volunteers at VIRCS and want to thank you for your time and support!

Here is the latest exciting news we want to share with you fabulous volunteers.

Enable Program

• The Enable Theatre Project Presents: Where is Home?

• Enable Program Giving Tree

• Help VIRCS without losing a penny - Pick up a Thrifty's Smile Card from us!

Settlement 

• Child Care Volunteers Needed!

• Translators needed!

I-YES

• About I-YES

• Voices of the World: The Sounds of Culture

Be Friends and Family Friends

• Be-Friends and Family Friendship Update: buddies needed

Income Tax Program

• Community Volunteer Income Tax Program – Volunteer Update

ESL Classroom

• ESL Classroom Update

I-Plan-it For Young Adult

• New I-Plan-It session has begun

Skills Connect Program

• Seeking Professional Mentors

Enable Program Giving Tree

The Story of the Enable Giving Tree

Thirteen years ago a seed was planted. It was the seed of the Enable Tree that would grow bit by bit into the tall, healthy tree it is today. It is strongly rooted in our community and the Enable Tree supports many different creatures and plants who find shelter and nourishment in its branches. But, as we all know, trees need water, food and sunlight to grow. Every year we ask you to help us take care of this tree and all its creatures. We ask you to pick up the watering can and help us grow.

Every year the Enable Program for Children and Youth helps over 250 children and youth by providing academic support, social activities, and safe places to express themselves and build new skills and self-confidence. The Enable Program is growing rapidly, with more participants and new services every year. Our programs include art therapy and English language support for children, tutoring services, a weekly Youth Activity Night, a new youth-led theatre project and our ever-popular Youth Strides Summer Camp.
We need your help to make newcomer children and youth feel at home in Canada.

Whether you can donate $2, $10, $100 or more, what you give makes a difference! Your support will help us reach our goal of $5000 by March 31, 2011.

$10 buys snacks for the Homework Club
$50 buys snacks and supplies for Youth Activity Night
$200 is enough for a whole month of Youth Nights, Homework Clubs and English classes
$500 sends a youth to our Youth Strides Summer Camp

Your donation will buy a leaf for our Giving Tree, located in the VIRCS office. Each week the leaves will grow and the progress will be posted here on our website. Make your donation in person at VIRCS or Donate Online!

Thank you for helping our Enable Giving Tree grow!