Childcare is available on site for students.

This is a cross cultural opportunity for people and families to get together, play games, and socialize.  Sports & Games Evening begins on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Fairview School .  Sports & Games Evenings are held every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at Fairview School (corner of 2nd St and Howard Ave).  Everyone welcome!!

The group is committed to promoting the health and the well being of its members through support, friendship, exercise, program information and sharing of cultures and traditions.  The group is also committed to promoting multiculturalism and to helping newcomers find a place to belong in the community. Women’s Group begins September 14, 2007 from 9.30 to 12:00 noon on Fridays - all are women welcome!!!  Childcare available on site.

Tolga Habali:  Vice–President
I was born and raised in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. I completed my BSc degree in Political Science and Public Administration at Middle East Technical University (1992-1997), one of the top notch universities of Turkey, where I also obtained a minor degree in German Language. I happily worked in Tourism and Hospitality sector during university years, enjoyed traveling, meeting new people and new cultures; semi-professionally played soccer during school years. I started my professional career in corporate banking, excelled in Investment Banking at HSBC Bank Turkey where I also held management positions in Personal Financial Services.

I relocated to Canada in 2003 for my Masters Degree in International Business Administration at Malaspina University College. I was involved actively in international education activities during my graduate studies and volunteered in the community in different occasions, coached youth soccer teams in both Nanaimo and Victoria. After completing my MBA degree, I was involved in the start-up stages of BC’s first privately owned University, namely University Canada West in Victoria and worked there as an Economic Development Officer for more than one and half years. I am currently working at HSBC Bank in Nanaimo and continue my professional banking career in Canada. I am holding different Executive positions in Non-profit organizations such as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society, President of Turkish Canadian Friendship Society of Vancouver Island and Board of Directors of Vancouver Turkish Canadian Society and enjoying to contribute the Communities where I am living.

Joe Crossland: Secretary
I was born in Toronto where I resided for 21 years before moving to Vancouver Island. While working in Toronto at Centennial College for the department of Continuing Education and at the campus bookstore I developed a strong love for learning. I moved out west and worked in forestry for 10 years which enabled me to see vast amounts of the province. I spent some time at Royal Roads University and Camosun College where I studied business and tourism. I obtained a TESL Certificate and met my wife during a teaching practicum. She had recently arrived from Thailand.

I have since done some teaching and tutoring but the best experience came when I had the opportunity to facilitate a men’s group for Newcomers at the centre. I am currently on the board with CVIMS which has been tremendously rewarding, allowing me to participate in this invaluable organization whose services and programs benefit such a great many individuals.

Peter Eng: Treasurer
I was born in the British Colony of Hong Kong. I came to Canada when I was 16 years of age to attend the University of B.C. I earn two degrees in Chemistry and a bachelor degree in Pharmaceutical Science. After completing my internship at the Royal Jubilee General Hospital in Victoria, I took my first professional position as a dispensing pharmacist with Woodward's in Port Alberni. A year later, I was invited by the West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni to establish a new Pharmacy Department. I completed that assignment and became head of the Department.

I left the Hospital two years later and became proprietor and manager of a clinic pharmacy. Through the years, I expanded to Oualicum and then to Parksville. I sold all my businesses shortly after my wife passed away from cancer. We have five grown children and since my retirement 14 years ago, I have kept myself very active. My activities include: Federal and Provincial court interpreting; Provincial Language Service - Interpreting for Health Services; Canadian Cancer Society (Nanaimo) - CanSurmount Counsellor; Nanaimo Family Life, Senior Peers Counsellor; Volunteer Nanaimo, lncome Tax Preparer for seniors and low incomes; CVIMS member, assisting new immigrants to integrate into Canadian society. I have maintained good health by keeping myself physically, mentally and spiritually in balance. I play tennis three times a week year round, practise Oi Gong (Energy Works) and meditation daily, and play the violin. I am self-educated in Oriental medicine and complementary health care.

Angela Fang: Member at Large
My name is Angela Fang. I have been in Canada for 19 years. When I first came to Canada, the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society helped me to establish myself and my family in Canada. I am very thankful for what they did for me. At present, I am president of Fang Tearoe Ent. Ltd Company. I am also working with the BC government to bring investors to Canada as well as to recruit students from China to Malaspina University College. I am the owner of the Perfect Cup Coffee Shop. I have been the Bay’s sales associate for the past 16 years.

I am married and have a 11 year old son. I love golf, swimming and singing. Our family loves all kinds of sports. I have a very busy life working with four jobs and my family.

Alexander Zouev: Member at Large
My name is Alexander Zouev. I was born in St. Petersburg Russia in May 1964. In 1998 I immigrated to Canada and settled down in North Vancouver BC. As a new immigrant I started my way from Job Search course which was very helpful and allowed me to find my first job in 3 weeks after I finished the course. I used to be Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in my country, so my first job was with a small private airline. During the next few years I went through many challenges common for new comers; such as language problem, cultural shock and life style adjustment just to name few.

Last big change was the layoff from good paying job in aviation industry which happened after September 11 tragedy. While being on Employment Insurance I took Saunders Business school course and received my Mortgage Broker license in June 2005. That was a year when I moved to Nanaimo – lovely city. Since then I have participated in many Multicultural activities organized by the Society. I like the leadership of the Society and the programs it is offering. It is hard to overestimate the importance of immigration services and I want to have the opportunity to help the newcomers like myself. Going through all the settlement steps myself I know what exactly the new immigrants need. I believe that I will be a valuable addition to the Board.

Richard Zurbrigg: Member at Large
I was born in London, Ontario and raised nearby, being educated at the University of Toronto in Science and post-graduate Zoology, then at the University of Guelph in Veterinary Science. After working as a partner in the Kingsway Veterinary Hospital and veterinarian at the Humane Society in Toronto I joined Agriculture Canada as a regulatory veterinarian, eventually spending 10 years as an executive dealing with national food inspection and international trade issues with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

I worked throughout Ontario, including Ottawa, as well as in Nova Scotia, Vancouver and Nanaimo over a 26 year federal career - gaining some functional French language skills along the way. Since moving to Nanaimo in 2005, I have become a self-employed consultant and imminently a real estate representative, and am currently a director on my strata council and vice chair of St. Andrew’s United Church board. My interests include choral singing, volunteer ESL tutoring, the live theatre, reading and scientific inquiry. One of my principal goals is to work with new immigrants and arrivals to Canada, to help orient them to a new culture and community, and solidify their English and/or French communication skills.

John De Freitas: Employment Consultant
I immigrated to Canada from Guyana, South America over 30 years ago, and have been working in the field of Employment Counselling for more than 8 years. Recently, I worked as a Job Coach for a provincially-funded program at Gastown Vocational Services in Vancouver, and provided career planning and job search support for individuals with mental health disabilities. I previously worked with immigrants for 5 years at MOSAIC (Multilingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities) in Vancouver, in both federal and provincial employment programs. Along with my experience in job search and employment consulting, I developed a solid background in career planning and Service Canada training applications. I have also recently completed the course work for a Counselling Certificate program at VCC and acquired specialized training in counselling for substance misuse. Although new to Nanaimo, I am happily adapting to the pace and lifestyle of the island. I’m equally grateful for another unique opportunity to support immigrant communities.

Bryce Parry: Receptionist/Bookkeeper
I was born in Vancouver, but grew up in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. All throughout grade school I had an interest in Math and Accounting. After taking a year off from graduating high school; I enrolled in Malaspina’s Applied Business Technology Program, focusing on Computers & Accounting. This program gave me the proper tools and knowledge to advance in my field of choice. I moved to Nanaimo January 1, 2007 and found employment here at the society in August. I’ve worked for a non-profit organization in the past, and am pleased to be in the same kind of atmosphere. I am very happy to be a part of the society, while I look toward my future.

The Diversity Program has begun work on a project whose goal it is to encourage high schools students to take an informed and active role in creating inclusive communities in and outside their schools.

The project will design an interactive, multimedia and above all, fun curriculum which will support high school students developing positive racial and cultural identities. They will also build their awareness of "everyday racism" and systemic racism. In this way, White students will develop and understand their role as allies; and Aboriginal and racialized students will develop the strategies and tools to deal with "everyday" and systemic racism. The curriculum will also provide concrete tools and strategies so that students can become effective change agents in their community.

We know from research that a positive sense of one's self as a member of one's group (not to be confused with a sense of racial superiority) is important for all aspects of wellness. Research also shows that a positive racial identity enhances understanding of issues of oppression, power and privilege. With this understanding of the way that racism operates comes a commitment to do something about it.

This project is made possible with funding from Canadian Heritage and the support of School District 68's Multicultural Race Relations Committee and other community partners and individuals.

Do you work for a business, government office, non-profit society, or other organization that wants to take a leadership role in making Nanaimo welcoming and inclusive? Are you are shopper who believes we should give our business to stores which share our values?

We all benefit when shops, offices, organizations and organizations in our neighbourhoods commit to:

• Equitable treatment of all their customers or clients
• Being a place of safety for people who are the targets of racism and hate
• Prepared staff

If you know of a place that is prepared to show its commitment to the inclusion and safety of all members of this community by becoming a Safe Harbour location, please contact Terre Flower, the Diversity Coordinator for Society at 753-6911 local 102 or tflower@cvims.org. Terre will be offering monthly Safe Harbour orientation sessions as well as in house training.

Looking for a job? We can help!

- Computers, Internet, Job Postings
- Help with Resumes, Interviews and Job Searching skills
- Employment Counselling
- Credentials Evaluation Assistance
- and much more

Contact: (250) 753-5503 or jdefreitas@cvims.org

Monday to Friday: 8:30 am- 4:30 pm

The concert which was held on July 26, 2007 at St. Andrews Church was a great success!!! The concert raised well over $4,000.00. Thank you to all who supported us by attending and to our volunteers for all their help in making this a memorable event. A veru special thank you to our guest performers Helena Hyun-Sook Kim, Meijuan Li and Jacqueline Droz for an evening of inspiring music.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to our patrons including St. Andrews Church, Johnston Franklin, A Step Ahead, Fang Tearoe Ent. Ltd., Lloyd MacIlquham, Shanghai City Restaurant, Sucha Ollek, Stanley Chong, Dr. & Mrs. Tang and many members of CVIMS and the local community.

Do you have a penny jar at home?

DONATE YOUR PENNIES and we will give you a tax deductible receipt!
No need to roll them, just drop them off.

If you would like to support our programs and services, you can become a member or make a donation online via paypal. We are a registered charity and your tax deductible donation is important to us.