Conversation Circles for Immigrant Women with Children 0-5 Years

Counselling and Advocacy

Completion of Applications

Free Counselling Sessions

Interpretation and Translation Services

Settlement

Settlement Services

Women's Forum

Parents and Tots Program

Cross-Cultural Awareness Program

Welcome to Kelowna Program

Language Classes

Citizenship Classes

Free Counselling Sessions

KIS and the Kelowna Family Centre offer free, private and professional counselling session for Immigrants. These will be held on Tuesdays from 1-4pm by Joyce Eng. Please phone the office to book an appointment.

Conversation Circles for Immigrant Women with Children 0-5 Years

K.I.S. offers immigrant women with preschool-aged children a place to gather together, practice English through sharing experiences, concerns and knowledge, and to learn about life in Canada while their children attend our Parents and Tots Program. An ESL volunteer instructor facilitates the classes These classes are designed for persons who may be unable to access other ESL programs because of time and financial constraints, family situations, and/or immigration status. There is no charge, but registration is necessary. Please contact us to register.

Women’s Forum

The KIS Women’s Forum meets twice a month. We provide an informal and non-threatening gathering place where immigrant women can come together, share experiences, have fun and learn more about issues related to women. Guest speakers from the community are invited to speak to the women on a wide range of topics. The meetings take place on the first and third Tuesday of each month. On the third Tuesday of each month KIS, together with the Kelowna Family Centre, presents a workshop on ‘Stop the Violence’. The workshop involves a discussion period and guest speakers from various social services involved in the fight against abuse are invited to make a presentation. For more information please contact Women’s Forum facilitator Wendy Chiu.

Days/Times:  Monday and Wednesday  9:30am - 11:30am

Parents and Tots Program

On hold until further notice.

Our Parents and Tots program is funded by the Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation. KIS has a once a week drop in program for young immigrant mothers and their tots from birth to 6 years of age. Parents mingle and the children play. Guests are invited to share information on health, Canadian law, education and community agencies. P.A.T. is held every Wednesday from 10:30am to 12:00 noon.

Cross-Cultural Awareness Program

We have a bank of ethnic representatives who are available on request to visit schools and institutions wishing to become more culturally aware.

Counselling and Advocacy

KIS provides support services to immigrants experiencing difficulty with any aspect of their integration into Canadian life, and assists them in the resolving of these issues. We have two qualified (Asian/ Latino) counsellors.

Completion of Applications

Our experienced volunteers provide in-office help and advice with the completion of government applications and Immigration forms.

Interpretation and Translation Services

We offer assistance to clientele and agencies in need of interpreters and certified translators. We have a bank of some thirty locally based translators and interpreters who provide services in English, French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Punjabi, Hindi, Spanish, Persian, German, Farsi, Polish and many other languages. There is a fee for this service.

Settlement

Our settlement service is geared towards helping immigrants integrate into, benefit from, and contribute to the enrichment of Canadian society.

Settlement Services

We help newcomers gain access to key resources in Kelowna through a variety of settlement services, including:

• Needs and barriers assessment.
• Arranging appointments, filling out forms, applying for various services, translations, interpretations, and cross-cultural orientation assistance.
• Accompaniment to community services.
• Referral to appropriate services and resources.
• Individual and family settlement counselling on issues such as isolation, and cultural differences.

Welcome to Kelowna Program

KIS provides workshops, presentations and one-on-one sessions:

• Orientation sessions which provide a comprehensive overview of Canadian systems, services and culture.
• In depth information sessions offering assistance and knowledge in areas such as Immigration, Employment, the Medical Services Plan, Taxation, Housing, Law, Social Services, and Cultural adjustment.

Language Classes

Registration required for all KIS Language Classes. Registration can be done by phone or dropping into our office. Fees (except for the Over Fifty Club) must be paid in advance. Please contact Norma Davies at .

• ESL Conversation Classes
  This is a 12 week course and there are day and evening classes. Students will receive 2 -2 hour sessions per week. Students will be assessed and then placed into Basic, Intermediate or Advance Level classes
  
  Cost:                          Permanent Residents $250.00
                                    Visitors, Students and those with Visas $290
  More Information:        Please contact the office for dates and times.

• Japanese Classes
  This is a 10 week course for students to learn conversational Japanese.
  
  Cost:                           $120.00
  Course begins:             September 18, 2006
  Days/Times:                Wednesday, 6:30-8:00

• Mandarin Classes
  This is a 10 week course for students to learn conversational Mandarin.
  
  Cost:                           $120.00
  Course begins:             September 18, 2006
  Days/Times:                Thursday, 6:30-8:00

• Over Fifty Club
  This is a class for immigrants who are over 50 years of age.
  
  Cost:                            $5.00 per class
  Course begins:              to be determined
  Days/Times:                 Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00-12:00 noon.
  
  

Citizenship Classes

We offer weekly workshops for citizenship candidates. The sessions are held every Thursday.