News, Events, and Stories
Diversity Photo Contest: My Halifax Is
My Halifax is… submit a photo, vote, let others know! The second annual FUSION Diversity Photo Contest is your opportunity to show us the vibrancy and diversity of our city. Share what your Halifax is through an image for a chance to win one of many prizes! Photos will be judged in 4 categories. There will [...]
SupperNova Multicultural Potuck
Join us for a multicultural Potluck and help us give a warm welcome to newcomers to Canada!
Everyone is welcome!
Saturday, May 25th
5:30pm – 8:30pm
St. Andrew’s Community Centre
(3380 Barnstead Lane Halifax)
- FREE event with multicultural food and entertainment!
- A tribute to Asian Heritage Month
- Please bring microwave-safe food to share with others!
- No frozen food!
- Wheelchair accessible
For more information call Jacinda Rudolph at 406-8648.
Summer Recreation Activities 2013
May 14, 2013
6:00–8:00pm
Would you like to know what is going on in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and Nova Scotia this summer?
Come to this information session and find out about:
- Exciting activities offered through the public libraries, YMCA, Community Centers, Museums and Art Centers like: basic computer training, preschool and children’s activities, reading clubs, seniors’ activities, tutoring, conversation groups, study skills, and sports.
- Fun places for a family or individual to visit.
- Other exciting events and activities throughout…
Why Do You Volunteer With ISIS?
This week is National Volunteer Week in Canada! We asked a few of our volunteers:
Why do you volunteer with ISIS?“Because I enjoy helping others, because being an immigrant I understand the need, pain and frustrations of building a new life in a new country, in a new culture. Why not to lend a helping hand and help enrich the Canadian fabrics. I believe that most emigrants are hardworking, motivated people looking for the opportunity to build a successful life for themselves and their love ones. ISIS is the right organization to collaborate…
On-Site Recruitment Session (ORIS) with Scotiabank
May 16, 2013
1:30 – 3:30 pm
Classroom 12
What is an ORIS Session?
An ORIS Session includes a presentation by an employer about their organization and career opportunities, followed by a 5 minute one-on-one interview with the recruiter/employer.
Who is Scotiabank?
As one of Canada’s top employers, we strive to provide a work environment where dynamic, rewarding opportunities to advance your career never end. We recognize you want to get ahead sooner rather than later, and we are ready to invest in your success from the moment you start…
ECE Centre: First Group Experience for Newcomer Children
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Centre at ISIS provides care for newcomer children from different countries and backgrounds. Here, children aged 6 months to 5 years are exposed to their first group experience, while their parents attend language and skills classes. Children from across the world with different languages, culture and experiences arrive at the [...]
The Challenges of English in the Workplace
Nova Scotians are outgoing and friendly and love to make small talk at work, but what if you come from a country where this isn’t the norm? What about technical jargon and expressions that you don’t understand? You feel like a fish out of water!
Choosing to move and then adapting to life in a new country is challenging. Finding employment, housing, and establishing yourself in a community are just a few of the first big considerations you face upon arrival. When you find work, there are more challenges still – you need to adapt to a new business culture, learn the workplace etiquette, and adjust to the job specific language.
Language issues and misunderstanding social cues can affect your self confidence – even if you have years of experience in your field. Support is essential to all immigrants, regardless of their language abilities. In fact, most of the time language is not the major stumbling block…
Proud to Protect Refugees
What is Refugee Rights Day?
April 4th is the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1985 Singh decision. In this decision the Supreme Court found that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the fundamental rights of refugees. The Court decided that ‘everyone’ includes refugee claimants in the sentence: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.
Nova Scotia Adult Learners’ Week
April 8, 6:00-8:00pm
Classroom 12
In celebration of the Nova Scotia Adult Learners’ Week (NSALW), please join us as we explore
Literacy and Second Language Acquisition
Adult literacy comes in many forms – here at ISIS, we have developed a special program to work with newcomers to Canada and address their language goals and literacy needs. Come and discover the Program for the Acquisition of Literacy & Language Skills (PALS) at ISIS. Please join us as we explore this innovative program, its clients and how it impacts the lives of newcomers as they integrate into Canadian society…
Multicultural Health and Wellness Fair 2013
March 22, 9am – 1pm St. Andrew’s Recreation Centre Learn about and improve your health and wellbeing! Attend workshops on stress management, seniors’ health, exercise, women’s and men’s health Interpretation is available in many languages Free childcare Activity and games room for children 7-12 Free admission and parking Free refreshments March 22, 9am – 1pm [...]
International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day spread the word about conditional permanent residence and what to do in cases of abuse
New rules have created a two-year period of conditional permanent residence for some sponsored spouses. During this time, the permanent residence of the sponsored person is conditional on their remaining in a conjugal relationship and cohabitating with their sponsor. If they don’t fulfill these conditions, their permanent residence could be revoked, and they could be deported. An important exception to the condition is provided for cases of abuse or neglect…
Dragon Kings – The challenges of Bhutanese youth in NS
From CBC Maritime Magazine
In 2007 the federal government started bringing over thousands of refugees from U.N-led camps in Nepal.
The refugees are from Bhutan, and they were forced out of that country in the early 1990s, meaning some of them spent their entire lives in the camps until they came to Canada.
In Halifax, about 350 or so Nepali-speaking Bhutanese are quietly settling into the community, but they’re carrying a huge burden, and it’s falling partly on the shoulders of the young people…
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