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
Comox Valley Aquatic Centre
Comox Valley Presbyterian Church
Comox Valley Sports Centre
Crown Isle Resort
Crown Isle Resort, Courtenay
IWC - Campbell River
IWC - Courtenay
Lewis Centre
Lewis Centre Courtenay
North Island Employment Foundations Society
Quality Food Courtenay
Robron Centre
Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex
Valley View Elementary School
Vancouver Island Regional Library Courtenay
Virtual Events
All
Virtual Events
Non Virtual Events
february
Event Details
Facilitated by Evan Jolicoeur of Full Circle Consultancy. Hosted by the Welcoming Communities Coalition. Organizations can register any employee who is in a supervisory, management, or owner role or who has
Event Details
Facilitated by Evan Jolicoeur of Full Circle Consultancy. Hosted by the Welcoming Communities Coalition.
Organizations can register any employee who is in a supervisory, management, or owner role or who has the support from these roles to share learnings with colleagues and implement change.
Participants will:
- Learn about anti-racism and inclusion theory
- Practice being an anti-racist ally
- Learn from their peers
- Come away with techniques to incorporate anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion into their workplace policies, practices, and culture.
Cost is $30 plus GST (lunch included). Pre-registration required as space is limited. Deadline to register is Jan. 25.
Contact Julie Keumbehdjian at julie.keumbehdjian@immigrantwelcome.ca for more information.
Time
(Monday) 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location
Robron Centre
740 Robron Road
Event Details
Join us to meet new friends and engage in fun and educational activities! Pre-registration is not needed. Topic: Craft – beach mirror. Guest: TBAWe acknowledge the financial support of the Province
Event Details
Join us to meet new friends and engage in fun and educational activities! Pre-registration is not needed.
Guest: TBA
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Time
(Monday) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location
Campbell River Community Centre
401 11 Ave, Campbell River, BC V9W 4G2
Event Details
Facilitated by Evan Jolicoeur of Full Circle Consultancy. Hosted by the Welcoming Communities Coalition. Organizations can register any employee who is in a supervisory, management, or owner role or who has
Event Details
Facilitated by Evan Jolicoeur of Full Circle Consultancy. Hosted by the Welcoming Communities Coalition.
Organizations can register any employee who is in a supervisory, management, or owner role or who has the support from these roles to share learnings with colleagues and implement change.
Participants will:
- Learn about anti-racism and inclusion theory
- Practice being an anti-racist ally
- Learn from their peers
- Come away with techniques to incorporate anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion into their workplace policies, practices, and culture.
Cost is $30 plus GST (lunch included). Pre-registration required as space is limited. Deadline to register is Jan. 25.
Contact Julie Keumbehdjian at julie.keumbehdjian@immigrantwelcome.ca for more information.
Time
(Wednesday) 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location
IWC - Courtenay
407A 5th Street
Event Details
Join this lively, friendly group to practice English in a safe and welcoming environment. This Conversation Group takes place at Courtenay Library, and is for CLB levels 1-3.
Event Details
Join this lively, friendly group to practice English in a safe and welcoming environment. This Conversation Group takes place at Courtenay Library, and is for CLB levels 1-3.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Time
(Wednesday) 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location
Vancouver Island Regional Library Courtenay
300 6th Street
Event Details
Join this lively, friendly group to practice English in a safe and welcoming environment. Our Newcomers’ Conversation Group is for CLB levels 3-4 and the meeting place is A Step
Event Details
Join this lively, friendly group to practice English in a safe and welcoming environment. Our Newcomers’ Conversation Group is for CLB levels 3-4 and the meeting place is A Step Above Café at Quality Foods in Courtenay (#1002 2751 Cliffe Ave.).
Free registration is required – click here.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Time
(Friday) 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Location
Quality Food Courtenay
2751 Cliffe Ave #1002, Courtenay, BC V9N 2L8
wed15feb6:30 pm8:30 pmMulticultural Family Skate Night - Courtenay6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Event Details
Come and enjoy a fun night of skating with your family! We will have some snacks and refreshments available during the event. Skates will be available for those who
Event Details
Come and enjoy a fun night of skating with your family! We will have some snacks and refreshments available during the event. Skates will be available for those who need them but please bring your own helmets.
This event is free but spaces are limited – please register here.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Time
(Wednesday) 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
fri17feb6:45 pm8:15 pmMulticultural Family Swim - Courtenay6:45 pm - 8:15 pm
Event Details
The Immigrant Welcome Center invites newcomer families to come to our free Multicultural Family Swim. The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) has generously offered
Event Details
The Immigrant Welcome Center invites newcomer families to come to our free Multicultural Family Swim.
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) has generously offered the use of the pool for the evening to swim and make social connections.
We will have Thrifty Foods generously providing us with snacks and drinks to be served during the event.
The swim series is FREE but space is limited – registration is required!
Friday, February 17 from 6:30pm to 8:15pm – register here.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Time
(Friday) 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm
Event Details
Reading Club meets with Joanne every month at Valley View School in the library. We have relaxed discussions about written materials. Meet other newcomers and practice English in a safe
Event Details
Reading Club meets with Joanne every month at Valley View School in the library. We have relaxed discussions about written materials. Meet other newcomers and practice English in a safe environment.
Everyone welcome! Register here.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Time
(Wednesday) 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Valley View Elementary School
2300 Valley View Drive
Event Details
Book Club meets with Ann every month. We have relaxed discussions about written materials. Meet other newcomers and practice English in a safe environment. This month our Book Club will have
Event Details
Book Club meets with Ann every month. We have relaxed discussions about written materials. Meet other newcomers and practice English in a safe environment.
This month our Book Club will have a tour of the Courtenay Library. Come and learn how you can get a free library card. Please meet at the Courtenay Library.
Everyone is welcome!
Free registration is required.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Time
(Friday) 12:30 pm - 2:00 am
Location
Vancouver Island Regional Library Courtenay
300 6th Street
Event Details
Join us to meet new friends and engage in fun and educational activities! Pre-registration is not needed. Topic: Craft – finish beach mirror. Guest: TBAWe acknowledge the financial support of the
Event Details
Join us to meet new friends and engage in fun and educational activities! Pre-registration is not needed.
Guest: TBA
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Time
(Monday) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location
Campbell River Community Centre
401 11 Ave, Campbell River, BC V9W 4G2
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.