Community Connections
Supports newcomers through educational classes, relationship building, & social activitiesCommunity Connections
The Multicultural Department’s Community Connections Program offers several components to support newcomers to Canada as they progress along their settlement processes within their new community. We offer educational classes, relationship building, social activities, and community events to help newcomers build connections in their community.
Please see below for a list of current programs.
Who We Help
- Adult newcomers to Canada, focusing on Permanent Residents.
- We can also serve work permit holders, naturalized citizens, and refugee claimants in some of our classes and events. Please contact us to find out if you are eligible.
To Access Community Connections
- Classes and events are by registration. Please register by calling or emailing in advance.
- You can also keep up to date with our events on our Facebook page.
- There is no charge for any programs.
Weekly Sessions & Events
Newcomers can connect with each other, practise speaking English, and learn about Canadian culture and their new community from a volunteer.
Days and Times (Sessions will be happening online/virtually)
Tuesdays 10am-11:30am
Wednesdays 7pm-8:30pm
For more details about the sessions, download the flyer here.
Citizenship Preparation
These sessions give support as newcomers study for the knowledge test and are offered twice per year. This is a great way to prepare for success with the Canadian Citizenship requirements.
Social Activities
Social activities including the weekly knitting group, drop-in soccer, volunteer opportunities, and special events allow newcomers to connect and engage in their new community.
Book Club
A weekly book club is offered at times throughout the year to support higher level English learners in reading and public speaking.
Educational Sessions
Educational sessions support newcomers as they settle in Abbotsford. Topics include cooking and nutrition; parenting; health and wellness; and volunteerism.
Friendship-based Matching Program
This program helps link newcomers to diverse social networks in our community through a one-to-one pairing with a volunteer. While building a new friendship, Connections volunteers will help with newcomers’ priorities such as learning about Canada and the Abbotsford community, developing new social networks, obtaining services, and practising conversational English.
From Volunteer Match to Lifelong Friends
“I just wanted to say thank you to you for the citizenship class provided last year…. I can’t tell you the amount of confidence I feel thanks to your class and the time you spent helping us navigate through all that information (new to all of us) in such a short period of time.”
Did You Know?
Community Connections began as the Host Program in 1995 and Archway has been providing services for newcomers for 50+ years.
“I think that this program, with a Canadian volunteer friend, is the best way to learn English.”
Interested in volunteering with Community Connections? Read Claudia’s and Jen’s story to learn more about the program.
They were matched through the Community Connections program, and their volunteer-based relationship quickly turned into a genuine friendship. Read More
Contact Info
Office Hours
Programs run weekly at different times, please see the list of current programs.
Address
33780 Laurel Street
Abbotsford, BC V2S 1X4
In Partnership With:
Photos from Community Connections Events
Stories & News from the Multicultural & Immigrant Integration Services
Bus Strike Impacting Newcomers
Learn how the ongoing bus strike is impacting the daily lives of newcomers to Canada.
Volunteer Feature: Sieglinde
Sieglinde has been volunteering with Archway for over seven years. Sieglinde loves teaching and “seeing people succeed”. She designed a confidence-building course for Community Connections where more than 20 women attended. She loves volunteering because it’s rewarding to see how her actions positively affect the people she’s working with.
Landlords Invited to Info Session on Renting to Newcomers
An information session well be held on April 25th for those wanting to learn more about renting to refugees.