Section 4 – Other

VRSA agency information (in order of help given with the refugee process)

Inland Refugee Society, established in 1984, provides assistance with the basic necessities such as food, clothing, emergency shelter or bus tickets, for recently arrived refugee claimants who are just beginning the process. Inland also offers English and life skills classes as well as a volunteer program. This program gives claimants the opportunity to acquire new skills and connections in Canada.

S.O.S. ( Settlement Orientation Services) was formed in 1993 to focus on service for refugee claimants whether it is with orientation to all stages of the complex immigration process or dealing with the realities of adjusting to life in Canada. SOS provides service in English, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese. There is also a health promotion program in Spanish to provide orientation to the Canadian health system and to offer education and support for HIV / AIDS. The latter is offered individually or by community presentations.

Immigrant Services Society of BC provides a range of specialized services and programs to assist refugee claimants meet their initial adaptation and settlement needs in Canada. These services and programs are offered at various locations throughout the Greater Vancouver area and range from the provision of temporary shelter through the ISS refugee reception centre (Welcome House) to first language support services in French or Farsi for refugee claimants.

MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) of BC's Refugee Assistance Program has worked with refugee claimants since 1992. The current focus is on the latter part of the claim process. MCC helps to complete the immigration applications for landing and assisting with family reunifcation for those people accepted as refugees. If a case has been refused MCC helps with humanitarian and compassionate applications, PRRA, or even preparing people for going home. Using their community network, MCC offers some material aid through the MCC BC Food Bank and English classes through Kingcrest International Neighbours.