Vancouver

The New Foundations program is a program for newcomers to Canada, who have arrived in Canada within the last six years and focuses on financial, life and job skills. It is open to any newcomer who is unemployed or underemployed and living on a modest income. The program begins in early October, and group workshops are held bi-weekly until the end of May. Monthly individual meetings are also held to assist participants with establishing and taking steps towards their goals, maintaining a budget, and connecting them to other community resources. Consistent attendance is required to remain eligible for the end of program grant.

The program focuses on three different areas. In the financial skills portion, topics include establishing savings goals, opening different types of savings accounts, investing money for short to long term goals. New Foundations is an asset development program where we encourage and teach participants to save money throughout the program, and then they double what participants save (maximum $500 total). They also have an agreement with the Ministry of Social Development that allows anyone within the program who is on income assistance to save towards agreed upon savings goals and receive the grant at the end of the program without penalty. In the job skills component, they share ideas on how to look for a job in Canada, write a cover letter and resume, interview skills, professionalism in the workplace, etc. Lastly, in the life skills component, they discuss communication skills, how to deal with conflict, wellness practices and we run a community kitchen where we cook healthy meals together that do not cost a lot of money.

Workshops are available at two locations (Childcare is provided for non-school aged children at both locations):

• Downtown Victoria: workshops are held on alternate Wednesdays from 9:30 am – 11:30 am.
• West Shore: workshops are held on alternate Thursdays 9:30 am – 11:30 am.

There is an application process to ensure eligibility, so people should contact the program coordinator to meet and fill out an application form. Service area include Colwood, Sooke, Esquimalt, Metchosin, Langford, Saanich and Victoria

The program is run by the Mennonite Central Committee, a faith-based organization, however, there is no evangelical aspect to the program.