On May 15, ICA and the Victoria Coalition for Survivors of Torture (VCST) hosted the Canadian Centre for International Justice (CCIJ) and its legal director, Matt Eisenbrandt. It was very interesting to hear about the various forms of justice that survivors of human rights violations or people with close relationships to victims who died as a result of human rights violations can pursue with the help of the CCIJ.

Support Youth Programs by Donating to the ICA Blossom Campaign!

Spring is in full bloom! Help us raise $5,000 towards our two youth summer programs by June 27, Multiculturalism Day.

We need your support for 40 immigrant youth to blossom. During the upcoming months many immigrant families will move to our community and young immigrants will start their transition into their new life in Canada. Over 1400 new immigrants moved to our region last year, and 29% are under 24 years old.

Why Origami?

Are you looking for more money to help you get ahead in life?

The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA), in partnership with Vancity Savings Credit Union, is proud to present the Micro-Loan Program! This program provides low income newcomers to Canada with access to credit to start their own businesses or fulfill their educational or employment goals.

Jaspreet Grewal is an ICA practicum student from UVic's Child and Youth Care program. Here is what she has to say about her experience during the cooking program:

The ICA Pen Pal Program matched 14 ICA volunteers within the Greater Victoria community with 14 newcomer immigrants enrolled in an ICA intermediate level English language class. The pen pals exchanged letters between February and May, 2013. Through their letters, they shared life experiences, individual interests, and information about their respective cultures. The program afforded all of the pen pals (volunteers and English language learners) the chance to engage in cultural exchange, and in particular, provided newcomers the opportunity to practice their English writing skills.

The Diversity Health Fair is a free, family-friendly event that provides Victoria's multi-ethnic community members with information about health, wellness, recreation, nutrition, and healthy living. People who attend the fair have the opportunity to gather information and talk to representatives from a variety of health services and facilities. Multi-lingual volunteers are available to assist with interpretation. This year's theme is Chronic Disease Prevention.

ICA is currently accepting applicants for the Diversity Scholarship Program, which recognizes the potential of students to let diversity make a difference in the Capital Region.
 
The Greater Victoria area is growing and now reflects a variety of ethnicities, customs, languages, beliefs, abilities, values, and talents. According to the 2006 census, 19% of Victoria’s residents are immigrants born outside of Canada. Nearly nine per cent of Victoria residents are members of a visible minority ethno-cultural group.
 

So far, the current ICA Interlaced project has been an amazing experience! Faith group participants from the Jewish, Hindu and Ismaili Muslim Communities have gathered in a total of nine storytelling workshops to learn and share stories of how they live their faith.
These stories have proved to be absorbing, moving and entertaining!  Sharing the ups and downs of life with a group of friendly and attentive listeners was a heart-warming way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
 

We were extremely proud to have had two of our alumni youth leaders visit ICA during their reading break. Shelly Lu who once volunteered with ICA, and attended the Leadership, and Community Kitchen programs is now pursuing an undergraduate degree in Dietetics at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Shelly is enjoying her program, adjusting to university life, and living away from home for the first time. We wish you all the best Shelly and look forward to more visits!

The Focus on Fitness program, in collaboration with Saanich Parks and Recreation, comes to a close Monday, March 4th. Twelve lucky participants have been meeting once a week to use the weight room, learn Pickleball, skate, try zumba, and practice tai chi at the Commonwealth Place, Pearkes Arena, Gordon Head Recreation Centre, and Cedar Hill Recreation Centre.