Welcome to Our Community – Bienvenue chez nous!
Welcome Newcomers to Canada and to our local community! This is a place where neighbours support one another, where diversity is celebrated, and where newcomers like you help shape our shared future. We understand that starting life in a new country can be both exciting and challenging. Know that you are not alone – we’re here to help you settle, feel at home, and connect with others. Whether it’s finding local resources, making new friends, or simply sharing a meal and a story, our community is stronger because you’re now a part of it. Thank you for choosing to be here. Welcome home.
Acknowledgement
The growing practice of learning the pre-colonization history of Canada by many newcomers has become a meaningful first step to ground oneself and understand the country. It is where we would like for you to begin your journey. The City of Vancouver has provides us all with countless resources that is available online including this: Guide: First-Peoples-Guide-for-Newcomers – 3 March 2014 (Translated to Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, & Spanish). It introduces newcomers to three important topics: who are the Indigenous People (or First Peoples) in Vancouver and Canada, a brief overview of the relationship between the Government of Canada and First Peoples, and current initiatives and ways for newcomers to learn more about Indigenous people in the country. We journey together.
Kiwassa’s Newcomer Settlement Project funded by IRCC:
Welcome to Kiwassa’s Community-Based Settlement Services Project. Our programs include providing you information and orientation about life in Canada, Canadian official languages training opportunities, employment-related referrals & workshops, and access to community connection events, projects, and activities.
Regular Programming – These program activities are all FREE. All In-Person activities are held at Kiwassa’s main location @ 2425 Oxford Street Vancouver BC (Hastings-Sunrise)
English Conversation Circles – Beginner (in-person)
In Partnership with IRCC
Classes are held in-person designed as safe and informal learning spaces for newcomers to practice their conversational English skills.
Mondays from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon / ON HOLD (to resume in September)
English Conversation Circle – Intermediate (online)
In Partnership with IRCC
Classes are held online for those who are somewhat familiar with conversational English and would like to improve their speaking and listening skills.
Wednesdays from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm / ON HOLD (to resume in September)
Building Health and Well-Being (in-person)
In Partnership with IRCC
Weekly exercises held at Kiwassa in-person, promoting health and well being, healthy aging, connecting with peers, interacting and having fun staying healthy and addressing social isolation.
ON HOLD (stay tuned for updates)
Syrian Cultural Centre Group (in-person)
In Partnership with BCNSP
Engagement by Syrian community members sharing culture with the wider community.
ON HOLD (stay tuned for updates)
Youth Settlement Drop In
In Partnership with IRCC
Created for youth and by youth, this space is dedicated to newcomer youth who would like to meet their Canadian counterparts through activities that are both youth-centred, recreational, educational, cultural, and safe.
Mondays to Thursdays from 3:00 – 5:30 pm
Restorative Circle Workshop – Youth Edition
In Partnership with BCNSP
Peace Circles are a restorative justice practice often used in conflict resolution, community building, where participants are sat in a circle to foster dialogue, understanding, and healing. Various topics will be discussed in each Circle.
July and August 2025 (stay tuned for updates)
Restorative Circle Workshop – Settlement Edition
In Partnership with BSNSP
July and August 2025 (stay tuned for updates)
Summer Fest
In summer months (June, July, and August), Kiwassa helps organize amazing community events focusing on local mobilization of artists and artisans, non-profit organizations, businesses, families, schools, etc. June focused on Indigenous Resilience with National Indigenous History Month. In July, we will be celebrating Pride Month.
July 30 - Pride Summer Fest
Legal Wills Workshop
Planning is important. Learn the basics of making a will. What should be included in it? What happens if you don’t have a will?
July 7, Monday from 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Kiwassa Annual Open House
Block party on Oxford Street highlights Kiwassa’s in-depth community programming, partnerships with other service providers in the area.
September 2025 (stay tuned for updates)
Social Benefits Workshop
May and June (stay tuned for updates)
Canadian Citizenship Practice Exam
July (stay tuned for updates)
Language Enhanced Employment Program (LEEP)
In Partnership with BCNSP
Focusing on the Customer Service sector, LEEP provides integrated language training to newcomers who wish to enter the Customer Service sector (hospitality, retail, services). Registration required for participation over the 4-week training. Bus tickets available.
September 3 - October 1, 2025
Contacts for Settlement Services & Programs
Alan Wong (Chinese) settlement.coordinator@kiwassa.ca or 604-254-5401 ext 1401
Anas Al Hassan (Arabic) anasa@kiwassa.ca or 604-307-1400
Christine Khoo (Chinese) christinek@kiwassa.ca or 604-254-5401 ext 1407
Monica Tinajero Macarty (Spanish) monicat@kiwassa.ca or 604-254-5401 ext 1419
Maryam Torabizadeh (Farsi) maryamt@kiwassa.ca or 604-254-5401 ext 1418
Meet our Youth Settlement Team
Christy Chen (Chinese) christyc@kiwassa.ca
Luisa Gutierrez (Spanish) youth.settlement@kiwassa.ca or 778-833-1485
Get involved in the community
Patrice Tai-Clair (Tagalog) community.coordinator@kiwassa.ca or 604-254-5401 ext 1435
Kiwassa Neighbourhood House has a team of staff that bring an eclectic range of education, professional training and experience to the work of Kiwassa, as well as passion, ideas and energy.
Meet our Team