Immigrant and Refugee Services Association Prince Edward Island

Provides a variety of programs and activities for newcomer school-aged children. Includes:

• Social and educational workshops: Activities and information sessions exploring age-specific themes that create an educational and inclusive space for immigrant students to meet, learn and have fun
• Boys Council: A support group for male immigrant students to share their needs and issues while working on skill-building including community involvement, overnight retreat and workshops
• Girls Circle: A support group for female immigrant students ages 9-18 years to foster self-esteem and social connection while participating structures sessions
• Summer program: Learn Canadian life skills while participating activities such as art instruction, outings to educational venues including overnight camping
• Youth sport assistance: Helps income eligible newcomer families apply available funding for youth to participate in sports. (Example: Kidsport PEI)
• Additional programs: Occasional opportunities may be available in partnership with other community organizations

Free English tutoring service is provided in partnership with the public library service across Epekwitk / PEI. Volunteers help adult newcomers practice English. School-aged children have access to EAL tutoring within the school system.

• Initial intake at IRSA
• Completion of applications for essential documents and services (SIN, PEI Health Cards, Canada Revenue Agency forms, etc.)
• Medical, vision and dental appointments
• School registration
• New student client intake process
• Parent/teacher interviews

Provides translation services. Includes:

• Foreign driver's licence
• Employment-related documents and more

Translation of any document other than a driver's licence is provided at a flat rate of 20 cents per word.

Counselling support workers help newcomers deal with challenges of adapting to life in Canada. The counsellor can help with pre-existing or new concerns and help with problem solving and working towards goals and personal skills.

Counselling supports are given at IRSA offices or at client's home, through individual interventions or the coordination of small support group sessions.

Intake Workers help newcomers by determining eligibility for services, conducting a needs assessment, and developing a settlement plan for each eligible client. Services include:

• Collecting the personal information needed to provide further services
• Initial help applying for certain important documents and services
• Providing relevant information to assist with settlement
• Making referrals to internal or external programs, based on individual needs

The intake process is required to become registered clients and access other programs offered. Family members can register altogether at the same appointment.

Helps new immigrants to Canada though orientation, translation, interpretation, referrals to community resources, para-professional counselling, and general information. Specific areas of assistance may include but are not limited to:

• Immigration and travel: Help applying PR, changing immigration visa, arranging appointments with immigration officers, dealing of misinformation on documents and more
• Taxes and tax benefits: Help contacting CRA on behalf of clients for various purposes, providing general tax information, arranging appointments at the volunteer tax clinic and more
• Health and medical: Help arranging medical appointments, interpreters, health card, application for eligible programs and more
• Social services and child and family services: Help as a liaison between clients and the social workers for obtaining services, facilitating meetings, contacting for any questions and more
• Other services: Search for daycare facilities, coordinate translation of driver's licence, act as a mediator between clients and their landlords and more.