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Partner Initiatives

Strong partnerships remain at the heart of ISSofBC’s ability to support newcomers and strengthen communities across BC. In a year shaped by change and uncertainty across the settlement and immigration sector, our partners continued to play a vital role in responding with resilience, innovation, and impact. Together with organizations across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, we expanded opportunities, improved access to services, and responded to the evolving needs of newcomers and the communities that welcome them.

From collaborative program delivery and employment pathways to community outreach, advocacy, and strategic initiatives, these partnerships reflect a shared commitment to inclusion, belonging, and long-term integration. By working together, we are not only supporting individuals and families as they build new lives in Canada, but also shaping stronger, more connected communities and championing a positive, forward-looking vision for immigration in BC and beyond.

 

The following are a few highlights:

BC Refugee Hub

Since 2016, the BC Refugee Hub, administered by ISSofBC, has been a cornerstone of refugee sector capacity-building in BC. As a core partner in the BC SAFE HAVEN Resource Network, the Hub equips frontline organizations with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to respond to the evolving and increasingly complex needs of refugees and refugee claimants across the province.

Highlights:

  • Strengthened the capacity of refugee-serving organizations through six expert-led training webinars focused on critical issues including healthcare access, housing, gender-based violence, and legal supports, reaching more than 1,200 registrations from frontline practitioners across BC.
  • Developed and distributed practical sector resources, including toolkits on the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), Medical Services Plan (MSP), shelters, and temporary housing. These resources were widely adopted by service providers and recognized by funders as valuable tools for improving client support.
  • Expanded access to mental-health knowledge and trauma-informed practices through a four-part mental-health e-learning series and a province-wide training initiative delivered in partnership with Vancouver Association of Survivors of Torture (VAST). The initiative included in-person training sessions in four communities, online learning opportunities, and practical resources that strengthened organizational capacity across the BC SAFE HAVEN network.
  • Enhanced access to timely, reliable information for refugee-serving organizations through the launch of a redesigned BC Refugee Hub website, improving resource accessibility, information sharing, and collaboration across the sector.
  • Increased provincial reach and engagement, with more than 15,000 website visits per quarter and strengthened sector coordination through updated service navigation tools, resource sharing, and the annual provincial survey informing refugee service delivery and planning.

Through these initiatives, the BC Refugee Hub continues to play a vital role in strengthening BC’s refugee-serving sector, supporting organizations to deliver more informed, coordinated, and effective support to newcomers rebuilding their lives in Canada.

 

The Pacific Canada Heritage Centre–Museum of Migration (PCHC-MoM)

For more than a decade, the PCHC-MoM has shared the migration and settlement stories of immigrants, refugees, newcomers, and Canadians of diverse backgrounds who have made their homes on the unceded lands of the Pacific Coast of Canada. Through storytelling, arts, culture, and community dialogue, PCHC-MoM fosters inclusion, belonging, and intercultural understanding while amplifying underrepresented voices and promoting reconciliation.

As a long-standing community partner of ISSofBC, PCHC-MoM has collaborated on exhibitions, events, and cultural initiatives that celebrate the experiences and contributions of newcomers. This year, Chris Friesen, COO, participated as a guest speaker during the Shining Light documentary panel presentation at Vancouver’s Rio Theatre, co-sponsored by PCHC-MoM.

ISSofBC also continued to support PCHC-MoM by providing office space within our Welcome Centre in Vancouver, strengthening opportunities for collaboration and shared community impact. Together, our organizations remain committed to ensuring newcomers, immigrants, and refugees feel seen, heard, and welcomed as they build their lives in BC.

 

Through a partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health Clinic, Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) referred by ISSofBC’s Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) receive initial post-arrival health assessments, follow-up care, and vaccinations, helping ensure timely access to essential healthcare services upon arrival in Canada.

We would like to thank the Vancouver Community, Richmond Community, and Regional Public Health teams for their collaboration in making this important support possible.

Through our partnership with the American Sign Language (ASL) LINC program and the Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility, we implemented a coordinated outreach strategy, both through partnerships and digital channels, to increase awareness of specialized language training opportunities for newcomers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

IKEA Customer Vancouver Distribution Centre

ISSofBC proudly reconnected with the team at the IKEA Customer Distribution Centre, where our Employer Relations Specialists (ERS) and clients were warmly welcomed for an in‑depth site tour. The tour offered clients and staff a behind-the-scenes look at what a day in the life at IKEA looks like, while also showcasing the organization’s strong values, team‑oriented culture, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The visit resulted in three successful hires. These outcomes reflect IKEA’s proactive approach to inclusive hiring and career development.

Burnaby Hospice Society has demonstrated a deep commitment to equity and community inclusion by opening its doors to ISSofBC clients who may face employment barriers due to lower English proficiency. Through volunteer opportunities, clients gain valuable Canadian experience, strengthen their resumes, and build confidence in a supportive, real-world environment. At the same time, clients strengthen their language skills while making meaningful contributions to the community.

Burnaby Hospice Society fosters an environment of belonging, intentionally welcoming individuals from all backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQ2+ community. Their inclusive approach not only supports skill development and social connection but also plays a vital role in ensuring newcomers feel valued and integrated into Canadian society.

With a growing number of clients arriving from Ethiopia and Eritrea with lower levels of English, the ISSofBC team worked to identify accessible employment opportunities that support clients’ language levels and build on their existing skills.

East Afro Eatery has been welcoming clients into its kitchen to support the preparation of traditional foods. By creating a workplace where clients can initially communicate in their first language, the organization provides an accessible entry point into the Canadian workforce. This supportive environment enables clients to build confidence, gain hands-on experience, and gradually strengthen workplace communication skills. East Afro Eatery demonstrates how culturally responsive employers can play an important role in accelerating newcomer workforce integration.

Big Way Hot Pot is a valued partner that fosters connection, belonging, and opportunity. Through community support and employment opportunities, the organization has supported our clients to gain valuable Canadian work experience, build confidence, and strengthen their integration into local communities.

Their partnership reflects a genuine commitment to diversity, inclusion, and creating welcoming spaces for immigrant and refugee families.

We continue to partner with the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, which sends four of their staff of Community Integration Specialists on weekly visits to support ISSofBC-referred newcomer clients in-person.ISSofBC has provided in-kind office space for four hours per week at each of our following offices: Vancouver, New Westminster, Coquitlam, and Langley (since May 2024). These specialists work directly with clients in collaboration with these regional settlement teams (continuing except in the Langley region from April 1st  2025).

Starting in February 2024, LCC and ISANS along with partners from Alberta and Ontario, have been delivering the National Healthcare Language Program (NHLP), a Canada-wide initiative funded by IRCC. The program supports internationally educated medical graduates (IMGs) and nurses (IENs).

Through this collaboration, LCC provides skilled facilitators who deliver specialized communication training designed to enhance participants’ professional language competencies within Canadian healthcare settings. The program focuses on improving workplace communication, patient interaction, and interprofessional collaboration, ultimately supporting successful workforce integration.

This partnership brings together ISANS’s expertise in newcomer settlement services and LCC’s strengths in language and career training, contributing to improved employment outcomes for internationally trained healthcare professionals and strengthening Canada’s healthcare system.

Building Futures in Canada Since 1972