Our Services
Support from SISS is always free and confidential. Our staff are committed to delivering services that are client-led, accessible and founded on a relationship of mutual-respect.
Settlement Support
Our Settlement Workers can:
- Connect individuals with community resources (and help with referrals)
- Orient all newcomers about life in Salmon Arm and neighbouring communities
- Offer field trips, wellness events, and info sessions (e.g., CELPIP, taxes, and more)
- Discuss pathways to Permanent Residency (PR) and help apply for PR
- Provide guidance on renewing work permits, study permits, and PR
- Help to complete other forms, such as for government benefits
- Help prepare for the citizenship test and apply for citizenship
- Facilitate oath-taking ceremonies (in our computer lab)
- Make referrals for CLB English language assessments
- Organize one-on-one English tutoring with volunteers (and maybe French tutoring!)
- Reserve time in the computer lab to prepare for assessments (e.g., CELPIP, IELTS, driving tests)
Employment Support
Our Employment Counsellor can help you to:
- Understand the local labour market
- Figure out what jobs are right for you (i.e., offer career counselling)
- Write resumes, cover letters, and online applications
- Find work and prepare for upcoming job interviews
- Validate credentials (ICE, WES) and pursue more education/training (e.g., Foodsafe)
- Access government benefits, such as unemployment (EI) among others
- Start your own business (make name requests and get approval, licenses, insurance, etc.)
- Navigate challenges such as injuries on the job, disagreements, or employer mistreatment or abuse in
Migrant Worker Outreach and Crisis Support
Our Outreach Workers can:
- Guide those here on temporary permits to navigate workplace or immigration issues that may arise
- Facilitate access to medical care
- Assist with forms for international students and naturalized citizens
- Advocate against racism and bullying in the workplace
- Connect you with others in the community through social events
- Help navigate community resources and make referrals
- Offer driver’s test prep for the knowledge test and the road test
- Help navigate pathways to PR, such as the PNP and Express Entry
- Facilitate English language learning through theme-based conversation circles.
- We will not share personal information with any government agencies without explicit consent and we will always honour a workers’ choice to access services anonymously
Language Support
English instructors and other SISS staff can:
- Offer in-person and on-line English classes to learners of all levels
- Help you earn the certificate you need for Canadian citizenship
- Lend English books to children, youth, and adults
- Offer specialized sessions on CELPIP, college courses, and other subjects
- Incorporate field trips to local sites so you can use English in the community
- Provide a welcoming environment for you to meet other newcomers
- Refer you to other resources for help (e.g., to get you a free English tutor)
- Offer some assistance with transportation (getting to/from classes)
Childminding Support
During most English classes, our certified childminder offers:
- Care for children from 18 months to 5 years (pre-school) with volunteer helpers
- A private room close to the English classroom, a fridge for snacks, and a bathroom
- A fun, interactive learning program with crafts, books, toys, music, and more Email:
Support for Children and Youth
Our SWIS (Settlement Worker in Schools) worker and other staff can help with:
- English language learning for youth
- Navigating challenges in the school system
- Filling out forms (e.g., registration for school, daycare, or the Canada Child Tax Benefit)
- Facilitating communication with teachers and other school staff
- Providing information on age-appropriate extra-curricular activities in and out of school, such as the after-school HIVE program and SWIS summer program
Community Connections and Events
Our Events Coordinator organizes events that SISS and other community partners host. Come meet newcomers and other locals at:
- Potlucks (bring a dish from your country!)
- Cooking classes (Learn to make food from another culture)
- Our multicultural festival, held every summer
- And more! Please reach out if you have an idea for an event
The Hive After-School Program
Come hang out at The Hive, our free after-school program for English Language Learners and newcomer children aged 5-12.
- The program runs 3PM to 5PM for the 2023/24 school year
- Sessions take place at South Broadview Elementary – 3200 6 Ave NE, Salmon Arm, BC
- Volunteers are also needed. If you are interested, contact us to get involved
Make new friends and have some fun!
Advocacy Campaigns
Shuswap Immigrant Services Society is committed to helping make Salmon Arm and the Columbia-Shuswap a safe and welcoming environment for newcomers.
We celebrate diversity through initiatives such as our annual Gathering Together Multicultural Festival and our participation in networks like the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network.
We are also concerned with barriers that are structural in nature and affect our clients. In our experience, it is only though sustained efforts to challenge injustice when it manifests in policy that we may truly build strong, inclusive communities. As a result, SISS has campaigned locally for reforms such as the SD83 Sanctuary Policy (draft). We also support several efforts toward positive change at the provincial and federal level.