Our Programs

International Men's Circle

English as a Second Language Classes

Community Bridging Program

Canadian Connections Tutoring Program

Safe Harbour

Inclusive Leadership

We are pleased to announce our newest project ..

CIS has gathered 30 community leaders—artists, facilitators, non-profit service workers, and government representatives from across the Cowichan Region—who are coordinating multiculturalism projects which will inspire community members to participate in civic actions.

 

These 30 have committed to learning how to incorporate the Arts and Dialogue to create exciting, fun, contemplative, mind-altering projects in 11 of the communities of the Cowichan Region.

 

We invite you to:

 

For more information, contact Bev or Francoise, 748-3112

bev.cis@telus.net,   francoise.cis@telus.net

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The Multicultural Leaders Program runs in partnership with the House of Friendship, a First Nation support agency. The goal of "Multicultural Leaders" is to develop groups that will engage youth from diverse backgrounds to practice leadership in promoting multiculturalism and reducing racist and/or discriminatory views and behaviours.

 

Our Mission Statement:

 

We are an inter-cultural, inter-faith, hard-working rainbow of energetic ambassadors reaching out to fulfill our vision of a welcoming and happy community of diversity and unity. We are caring for humanity and helping our community change through active, creative, fun, crafty services and charitable intelligence.

For more information, contact Marie-Anne Hellinckx  marie-anne.cis@telus.net

Supported by:

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ABCDiversity

We invite diverse groups and organizations from our community to work together to build an even more welcoming and inclusive community.

Activities of the project include the following:

• gathering information through our “Diversity in Community” survey
  
• tailoring interactive, cross-cultural diversity education workshops to match the needs of diverse groups in the community
• training volunteers to create presentations and participate in workshops on multiculturalism in schools and community settings.

From now until May 31, these workshops are available through the ABCDiversity project.

Workshops for Connecting with Differences and Building Inclusive Community
 

Equality is the Law: Introduction to Inclusive Leadership (1-2 hours)

Engage in fun diversity education activities designed to learn about each other’s differences. Participate in a process that translates the values of safety, respect, choice and fun into shared commitments to socially responsible leadership.

Learning and Leadership Styles (1-2 hours)

When people learn and lead according to their preferences, it brings out the best in them. This workshop helps people of all ages become more aware of the diverse range of learning and leadership styles.

Identity Art (1.15 – 1.30)

This creative workshop explores the idea that differences are not problems, but can be seen as gifts. Participants learn how each individual is unique and explore their identities through art.

Social Mapping (1.15 – 1.30 hours)

Every community is made up of different groups. This workshop helps participants map the different groups and discuss how they relate to each other. Social mapping motivates participants to create a more welcoming and inclusive community.

Reality Check: taking a 2^nd look for the 1^st time (6.30 hours)

This workshop has been developed and is co-facilitated in partnership with the Youth Empowerment Project.

Disrespect, racism, bullying, fighting, failing or barely scraping by. How are we doing? Overachievers, underachievers, purple hair, ripped jeans, the class clown, the jock and the homecoming queen; we all think we're so unique. Reality Check is an experiential workshop that washes the slate clean and gives participants, adults and youth alike, a chance to take a second look and discover what's really underneath the surface.

Workshops for Communication and Conflict Resolution

Slowing Down to the Speed of Wisdom: Skills for Communicating With Compassion (1.15 – 1.30 hours)

This workshop engages participants in a series of heart-to-heart listening exercises followed by a creative activity that encourages positive inquiry, reflection and debriefing.

Compassionate Talking (1.15 – 1.30 hours)

This workshop provides an opportunity to experience the other side of Compassionate Listening, Compassionate Talking! Learn how to shift any conflict or potential conflict into an opportunity for understanding and win, win outcomes.

Workshops on Discrimination, the Causes and Solutions

Discrimination – Exploring the Root Causes (1.15 – 1.30)

An exploration of the mind’s natural inclination to build assumptions based on partial information, which can lead to stereotyping and discrimination. The workshop explores the need to look below the surface to find hidden characteristics.

Discrimination and the Roots of Human Rights (1.30 – 2 hours)

Through small and whole group discussion, explore how history has contributed to both discrimination and equality. Participants co-create a timeline showing the history of discrimination and human rights.

The Time Is Now (1.30 – 2 hours)

This workshop examines questions such as “What is discrimination?” followed by a discussion of video clips and the locally produced video The Time Is Now.

Introduction to Anti-Discrimination First Aid Training (1.15 – 1.30 hours)

Just as physical First Aid Training prepares people to take effective action in response to accidents and other emergencies, Anti-Discrimination First Aid Training prepares participants to respond effectively to incidents of discrimination such as racist jokes, put-downs, gossip, exclusive cliques, name calling, bullying and other acts of intolerance. Learn and practice the ABC’s of Anti-Discrimination.

Ts’its’watul (Helping One Another) (2 – 2.30 hours)

This workshop was developed and co-facilitated in partnership with Hiiye’yu Lielum (House of Friendship) Society as we prepared to welcome visitors to the North American Indigenous Games. Bringing Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people together in the spirit of nuts'amaat shqwaluwun (one mind, one heart, one spirit) we will explore our shared journey through the past 150 years. Participants will:

• Learn Cowichan cultural values and protocol for welcoming people to their territory.

• Share ancestral teachings.

• Follow a timeline that acknowledges what has happened in our shared past and shows the shift toward equal rights, healing, and reconciliation.

• Participate in a blanketing ceremony that is meant to leave a legacy of stronger and healthier relations as we work together toward true social justice.

*This workshop is dependent on the availability of the original facilitators.

Cross-Cultural Simulations

Bafa Bafa (2.15 – 2.45 hours)

This cross-cultural simulation leads participants through a unique experience that involves a journey into a different culture.and explores what that journey feels like. Participants begin to see how the relationships between different groups in the real world are formed.

Welcome to Ya Ya (1.30 – 2 hours)

The goal of this simulation is to highlight some of the common challenges and issues that arise when people from different identity groups come together. A memorable and engaging workshop! As Confucius said, “Tell me and I will forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I will understand.”

ABC Diversity is generously funded through Welcome BC.

ABCDiversity is a program that will give us the opportunity to share the many cultures in our valley with the larger community!

With the support of the ABC Diversity project, CIS will be able to continue with the multicultural presentations which have become such a successful and welcome tradition at local elementary schools.

We are hoping that our wonderful CIS members will join us in helping to teach children about the many different places we have come from around the world.  

As a volunteer presenter, you will have fun, make new friends, and perform an important service for our community. 

We will provide training to help you feel polished and confident with your presentation.

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Settlement Information and Support Services

We offer a caring and supportive atmosphere to newcomers of different cultures and cultural awareness in the community through multicultural school presentations and participation

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Canadian Connections Tutoring Program

Canadian Connections is an English as a Second Language Assistance Program.

We provide language training to adult immigrants and refugee newcomers in order to aid their social, cultural, economic and political integration in Canada.

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Safe Harbour        

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Volunteering at the Cowichan Intercultural Society

The Cowichan Intercultural Society has been described as an organization with a “big heart.” Our staff and volunteers reach out to the community to promote multiculturalism, anti-racism, and inclusion for all residents of the Cowichan Valley. CIS maintains an active schedule of educational workshops, special events, youth mentorship, fundraising, and other activities. We value the contribution of our volunteers who make it possible to provide a range of services to the community.

Why volunteer for CIS? You can meet people from all over the world, make new friends, develop job skills, have fun, and help make life more welcoming and inclusive for all those who share our home in the Cowichan Valley.

Here are some of the volunteer opportunities at the Cowichan Intercultural Society:

ESL Tutoring
Receptionist
Clerical
Computer Support
Fundraising
Special Events
Repair/Maintenance
Phoning
Youth Projects
Advocacy

To be a volunteer, the Cowichan Intercultural Society asks the following:

1. A criminal record check.  These are free for volunteers. We have the forms and waiver fee letter on file at the CIS office.

2. Agree to the privacy act. This means that we don’t reveal telephone numbers or addresses of people connected to the Cowichan Intercultural Society. We require that all information be kept confidential.

3. That all volunteers represent the Cowichan Intercultural Society in a polite and professional manner.

Please join us as a CIS volunteer. Contact our office for more information.