New Foundations Program - A Financial Literacy, Job and Life Skills Program for Newcomers
Education, Employment, Financial, Food, and Immigrant and Refugee Services
Provided by Mennonite Central Committee BC (MCC BC)
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.
Website: https://mcc.org/media/132922
250-532-0157 (Victoria)
Public email: newfoundations@mccbc.ca
778-870-4573 (West Shore)
Public email: newfoundationswestshore@mccbc.ca
Cost: No cost
Associated Programs/Services
Also offered by Mennonite Central Committee BC (MCC BC):
Availability
Service area: Langford, Saanich, Sooke, Victoria
Service Types Provided
- Employment Support
Ways to Access
- Provided at multiple locations
- Provided in a group in-person
The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.