Welcome to Vancouver Island!
Helping newcomers settle successfully in the North Island since 1992.
Our Services
What We Do
Free English Classes
The Immigrant Welcome Center offers free English classes for immigrants and newcomers to Canada under its LINC* program.
Free Settlement Services
Let us help you through our settlement services, employment resources, and school system support.
Social Groups & Programs
Our free groups have been created so you can make friends, practice English, and build your support network.

ABOUT US
Our Vision
Add Us to your inbox
Stay informed and help us create diverse, inclusive, and welcoming communities in North Vancouver Island.
You’ll get emails – but not too many – with service updates, new projects and events, and educational resources from the Immigrant Welcome Centre and Welcoming Communities Coalition.
Mark your calendars
Upcoming Events

Event Type
All
Events
LINC Classes
Social Groups
Workshops
Event Location
All
Broadstreet Properties
Campbell River Art Gallery
Campbell River Community Centre
Community Futures Mount Waddington
Comox Valley Aquatic Centre
Comox Valley Presbyterian Church
Comox Valley Sports Centre
Crown Isle Resort
Crown Isle Resort, Courtenay
Glacier View Secondary
IWC - Campbell River
IWC - Courtenay
Kwa'lilas Hotel
Lewis Centre
Lewis Centre Courtenay
Museum at Campbell River
North Island Employment Foundations Society
Quality Food Courtenay
Radford Road
Robron Centre
Rosewall Crescent
Soroptimist Lounge at the Florence Filberg Centre
Sportsplex
Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex
Valley View Elementary School
Vancouver Island Regional Library Courtenay
Virtual Events
All
Virtual Events
Non Virtual Events
september
Event Details
The Welcoming Communities Coalition invites you to join us as we deepen our understanding of the needs, gaps, and challenges facing immigrants and refugees settling in Port Hardy. We want to
Event Details
The Welcoming Communities Coalition invites you to join us as we deepen our understanding of the needs, gaps, and challenges facing immigrants and refugees settling in Port Hardy.
We want to hear voices from a variety of sectors in the community about how we can make the North Island more welcoming to newcomers.
When: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 9am to 11am
Where: Kwa’lilas Hotel, Port Hardy
Learn more here or email your questions to Coalition Coordinator Julie Keumbehdjian at julie.keumbehdjian@immigrantwelcome.ca
Time
(Wednesday) 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Location
Kwa'lilas Hotel
9040 Granville Street
Event Details
The Welcoming Communities Coalition invites you to join us as we deepen our understanding of the needs, gaps, and challenges facing immigrants and refugees settling in Port McNeill. We want to
Event Details
The Welcoming Communities Coalition invites you to join us as we deepen our understanding of the needs, gaps, and challenges facing immigrants and refugees settling in Port McNeill.
We want to hear voices from a variety of sectors in the community about how we can make the North Island more welcoming to newcomers.
When: Thursday, Sept. 28, 9am to 11am
Where: 311 Hemlock Street (Community Futures Mt. Waddington office), Port McNeill
Learn more here or email your questions to Coalition Coordinator Julie Keumbehdjian at julie.keumbehdjian@immigrantwelcome.ca
Time
(Thursday) 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Location
Community Futures Mount Waddington
311 Hemlock St.
october
Event Details
Join International Family Recreation program for a fun Friday night at the Sportsplex. Come and get active with other families that are new to Campbell
Event Details
Join International Family Recreation program for a fun Friday night at the Sportsplex. Come and get active with other families that are new to Campbell River.
Bring food to share and enjoy quality family time in a safe and welcoming place.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia
We are grateful for the support of the City of Campbell River
Time
(Friday) 5:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Location
Sportsplex
1800 South Alder Street
Event Details
Our social group provides an opportunity for newcomers to meet others and practice English in a safe and welcoming environment. We will talk about Canadian life and share our stories. Everyone
Event Details
Our social group provides an opportunity for newcomers to meet others and practice English in a safe and welcoming environment. We will talk about Canadian life and share our stories.
Everyone is welcome! Please register here by clicking on this link or call our Courtenay office at 250-338-6359.
This group takes place at the Soroptimist Lounge at the Florence Filberg Centre (411 Anderton Ave.)
Time
(Wednesday) 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location
Soroptimist Lounge at the Florence Filberg Centre
411 Anderton Ave.
Event Details
Our social group provides an opportunity for newcomers to meet others and practice English in a safe and welcoming environment. We will talk about Canadian life and share our stories. Everyone
Event Details
Our social group provides an opportunity for newcomers to meet others and practice English in a safe and welcoming environment. We will talk about Canadian life and share our stories.
Everyone is welcome! Please register here by clicking on this link or call our Courtenay office at 250-338-6359.
This group takes place at A Step Above Cafe, generously donated by Quality Foods (2751 Cliffe Ave.).
Time
(Friday) 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Location
Quality Food Courtenay
2751 Cliffe Ave #1002, Courtenay, BC V9N 2L8
Event Details
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) has generously offered the use of the rink at the Comox Valley Sports Centre for the evening to skate and make social connections. Helmets, skates and
Event Details
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) has generously offered the use of the rink at the Comox Valley Sports Centre for the evening to skate and make social connections.
Helmets, skates and adaptive skating equipment will all be available on a first come first serve basis. Please note all skaters must wear helmets. This skating series is FREE but space is limited – registration is required.
Register using this link or call our Courtenay office for assistance at 250-338-6359.
Time
(Monday) 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
Comox Valley Sports Centre
3001 Vanier Drive
Event Details
You’re invited to our Coalition Membership meeting! This is an opportunity to share organizational experiences and learn about collaboration and partnership building so that we as a community can be more
Event Details
You’re invited to our Coalition Membership meeting! This is an opportunity to share organizational experiences and learn about collaboration and partnership building so that we as a community can be more welcoming to immigrants and refugees.
When: Oct. 18, 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Where: Robron Centre (740 Robron Rd.)
Register for free on EventBrite.
Learn more about the Welcoming Communities Coalition here.
Time
(Wednesday) 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Location
Robron Centre
740 Robron Road
Event Details
You’re invited to our Coalition Membership meeting! This is an opportunity to share organizational experiences and learn about collaboration and partnership building so that we as a community can be more
Event Details
You’re invited to our Coalition Membership meeting! This is an opportunity to share organizational experiences and learn about collaboration and partnership building so that we as a community can be more welcoming to immigrants and refugees.
When: Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Where: Glacier View Secondary (241 Beecher Place, Courtenay)
Register for free on EventBrite.
Learn more about the Welcoming Communities Coalition here.
Time
(Thursday) 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Location
Glacier View Secondary
241 Beecher Place
Event Details
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) has generously offered the use of the pool (377 Lewrick Road) for the evening to swim and make social connections. We will have Thrifty Foods generously providing us
Event Details
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) has generously offered the use of the pool (377 Lewrick Road) for the evening to swim and make social connections.
We will have Thrifty Foods generously providing us with snacks and beverages to be served during the event.
The swim series is FREE but space is limited – registration is required!
Register using this link or call our Courtenay office for assistance at 250-338-6359.
Time
(Thursday) 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
Comox Valley Aquatic Centre
377 Lerwick Road
Event Details
We will have relaxed discussions about topics of interest. Meet others who also wish to practice their English in a safe environment. Everyone is welcome! Please register here by clicking
Event Details
We will have relaxed discussions about topics of interest. Meet others who also wish to practice their English in a safe environment.
Everyone is welcome! Please register here by clicking on this link or call our Courtenay office at 250-338-6359. (Space is limited)
This group takes place at The Wave Room at the Comox Valley Aquatic Centre (377 Lerwick Rd.), generously donated by the Comox Valley Regional District.
Time
(Wednesday) 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Comox Valley Aquatic Centre
377 Lerwick Road
I’m so thankful to the Immigrant Welcome Centre for helping me with all my paperwork since the beginning. You guys are awesome! Helping me with my work permit, my permanent residence card, and now with getting my Canadian citizenship.
I was much less stressed and uncertain as I navigated the different steps and felt much more comfortable and confident. Without a doubt I highly recommend the Immigrant Welcome Centre. Thank you for all you do!
After I moved here I found IWC and that made me feel good because I felt somebody was here for me when I needed support and help with anything. Even if they can’t help with everything they will tell me where to go. Also, I felt I can trust them and that made me comfortable and confident to settle down and make this my home.
TESTIMONIALS
What our happy clients have to say
Our mission is to help our clients settle successfully in our beautiful region. Read what they have to say about us.