When you’re new to a community, especially if you have come from another country, there are many administrative hurdles to cross.
Things like applying for health benefits, getting a driver’s licence or finding out what the best options are for your children in the education system may be confusing at first.
The Cowichan Intercultural Society (CIS) in Duncan helps immigrant newcomers and refugees find their way in many areas, but it isn’t always easy for people from outlying communities to reach them.
Now, through a new partnership between the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL), Cowichan Lake Branch, and CIS, newcomers will have a chance to access the settlement services that can smooth the transition into a new community. On Dec. 6 and 20, settlement coordinator Demy McEvoy will be at the Cowichan Lake Library to assist clients with some of the concerns they may have.
“It’s a new endeavour,” said Melanie Reaveley, VIRL manager in Duncan, of the partnership. “Some people might have a hard time getting to Duncan to see her, so Demy thought the library would be a good place to hold these sessions.”
Reavely says it’s surprising how many new immigrants are arriving in the Cowichan Lake area.
“It’s growing,” she said. “We actually have more and more people coming here. We have Spanish and Portuguese immigrants here, as well as from Tibet. And more people are coming from Eastern Europe these days as well.”
CIS offers help to immigrants with citizenship and immigration inquiries, can offer assistance or give referrals to various community services and resources, or just help someone whose first language isn’t English fill out an application form.
And CIS can also help local residents, if they have questions about something more general.
McEvoy will be at the Cowichan Lake Library from Dec. 6 and 20 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., with future dates to be determined according to demand.
