CVIMS - Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society

Youth Art Club
2025-02-13 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-02-20 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-02-27 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-03-06 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-13 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | Bastion CVIMS, 103 - 235 Bastion Street, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3A4, Canada
Come join us to this fun and safe space where you can explore your creative side. The Youth Art Club is a great way for you to spend your free time, make some new friends, get creative, and enjoy some free snacks and drinks!

🎨 Art Fun: Enjoy drawing, painting, and crafting. We have all the supplies you need!

🎲 New Friends: Meet new people with similar interests

🎬 All Welcome: Whether you are a pro or a newbie, all skill levels are welcome!

🕹️ And More: We also have special events and activities. You will always find something new and exciting!

REGISTER: https://forms.office.com/r/6Xf3tUNWX5
Day: Every Thursday from January 9 – March 27, 2025
Time: 5 – 7pm
Location: 235 Bastion Street, Room 205

Art Therapy
2025-02-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-02-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-02-28 10:00 - 12:00 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
This workshop is designed to help you explore and express your emotions through creativity in a safe and supportive environment. The 8-week Art Therapy workshop is a drop-in group that is open to all skill levels. There will be a new theme explored each week with the guidance from Amélie Blanchard, a Registered Art Therapist and Pauline Goh, Clinical Counsellor.
Dates: Fridays from January 17 to March 7, 2025
Time: 10am – 12pm
Interested? REGISTER: workshops@cvims.org
Look at the themes for each week:

January 17: Goals and Visions
January 24: Stress Management
January 31: Boundary Setting
February 7: Anger Management
February 14: Couples Communication
February 21: Grief and Loss
February 28: Self -Care
March 7: Women’s Wisdom Circle

Stronghold - Men's Group
2025-02-14 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-21 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-28 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-07 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-14 14:00 - 16:00 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Are you looking for a safe space to help you navigate the struggles or stress of everyday life?
We have partnered with The Men’s Centre to create a safe space for men to come together, share their struggles, connect with others, and learn how to deal with the hassle of everyday life. This is a space to build resilience, gain clarity, and create bonds with others that share the same ideals.
Weekly meetings from January 17 to March 28, 2025.
To register – aalfakosh@cvims.org

Family Day
2025-02-17 | BC, Canada
Today, Monday February 17th, 2025 we celebrate Family Day
Take this day to enjoy meaningful and intentional time with your family.
CVIMS will be closed and will resume regular working hours on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025.

Bridge to Employment Series
2025-02-19 16:30 - 18:30, 2025-02-24 16:30 - 18:30, 2025-02-26 16:30 - 18:30 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Are you ready to start your professional career in Canada? Are you looking to develop the skills and strategies needed to land your dream job?
Join our two-part employment workshop series designed specifically to help newcomers navigate the Canadian job market. At the end of the 10 sessions you will have gain invaluable tools, insights, and practical advice to meet your career goals, PLUS a certificate of completion!
Session Details:
Part 1 – Job Search Success ENDED

From January 20 to February 3

Part 2 – Thriving in the Workplace

February 10 – First Week of Work
February 12 – Workplace Culture
February 19 – Skills for Success
February 24 – WorkSafeBC

Special Guest: Helen Chandler from WorkSafe BC

February 26 – Employment Standards

SPACE IS LIMITED, make sure you register – workshops@cvims.org
Language requirement – LINC 4 or higher is required to attend the workshops.

Career Cruising
2025-02-19 17:00 - 18:30 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Thinking about the future? Are you unsure of what you want to be when you grow up?
Come to out Youth Lounge designed to introduce you to different professions and help guide you into the future that YOU want and is right for you! This lounge will feature weekly meeting with special guests that will talk about their own career paths.
To register SWIS@cvims.org
Open to youth grades 7 – 12.

Stress Busters
2025-02-21 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-02-28 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-03-07 15:30 - 16:30 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
In partnership with Island Clinical Counselling, we invite you to join this group and connect with peer who can relate as we learn about anxiety and stress management. Four sessions will be held where you will be able to develop practical tools and techniques through the use of art, games, and fun activities.
Some areas we will focus on:

Understanding anxiety
Recognizing everyday triggers
Coping strategies – mindfulness, reframing, and cognitive restructuring.

Join us to learn and grow together.
Dates: Friday, February 21 & 28 and March 7 &14
Time: 3:30 – 4:30pm
Register – SWIS@cvims.org

Hockey Game Night
2025-02-21 19:00 - 21:30 | Frank Crane Arena, 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9T 3K7, Canada
Join us for a FREE Hockey Game Night for an unforgettable night where you will experience the thrill of a live hockey game! Come with us on cheering the Nanaimo Clippers!
Catch all the action, excitement, and fun! Whether you are a fan of the sport or you have not experienced the game before, this is an unforgettable experience.
SIGN UP REQUIRED – Do not wait, spots are LIMITED!
Click here to SIGN UP
📅 Date: Friday, February 21, 2025
⏰ Time: 7:00 – 9:30 PM
📍 Location: Frank Crane Arena – 2300 Bowen Road
🎯 Ages: 12-25 years old

Library Youth Club
2025-02-24 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-03-03 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-03-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Vancouver Island Regional Library, 90 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5G4, Canada
Are you looking for a fun way to spend your free time? Join our Library Youth Club and dive into a world of creativity, games, and movies!

🎨 Art Fun: Enjoy drawing, painting, and crafting. We have all the supplies you need!

🎲 Board Games: Play cool board games with your friends. We have many games to choose from!

🎬 Movies: Watch movies with us. We have the latest films and classic favorites!

🕹️ And More: We also have special events and activities. You will always find something new and exciting!

REGISTER: https://forms.office.com/r/6Xf3tUNWX5
Day: Every Monday, from January 6 – March 24, 2025
Time: 5 – 7pm
Location: Creative Commons – Nanaimo Harbourfront Library.

Interview Ready
2025-02-27 16:30 - 18:30 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Ready to take the last step in your employment search? Join this session and gain valuable information that will help you succeed!
In this session you can expect to learn about ways to answer common interview questions, how to prepare for the interview, how to make a great impression and show you are the right person for the job! The tips and information you get from this session will help you feel more confident as you will know what to expect. This session is for anyone looking to improve their interview skills.
REGISTER: workshops@cvims.org
Date & time – Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 4:30 – 6:30pm

Art Therapy Session - Youth
2025-02-27 17:00 - 19:00 | Bastion CVIMS, 103 - 235 Bastion Street, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3A4, Canada
Join us for a safe and welcoming space where creativity meets healing! Whether you are a seasoned artist or new to the creative process, no previous art skills are required – just an open mind and a desire to explore.
In this session you will have the opportunity to create, reflect, and heal, using art as a tool to navigate emotions and promote personal growth. Take this time to connect with yourself, tap into your creativity, and share with like-minded individuals.
Ages: 19 – 25
Date: Friday, February 27, 2025
Time: 5:00 – 7:00pm
Register HERE

Understanding Taxes in Canada
2025-03-05 14:00 - 16:00 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Join us in this information session to understand the importance of filling your income taxes correctly. In this session, learn from a Canada Revenue Agency agent, how filing your income taxes provides you access to direct payment benefits and refundable tax credits.
As tax season is just around the corner, do not miss this opportunity to gain valuable information and insight from an expert. Whether it is your first time filing your taxes in Canada or you have been and just want to make sure you are getting it right, this session will have something for you!
REGISTER: workshops@cvims.org

Art Therapy
2025-03-07 10:00 - 12:00 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
A special session of the ongoing Art Therapy series in celebration of International Women’s Day! Co-facilitated by Amélie Blanchard, a Registered Art Therapist and Pauline Goh, Clinical Counsellor. This session is dedicated to honoring the sacred feminine within us all. While cultural associations often link the feminine (yin) and masculine (yang) to specific genders, every person embodies both energies, though they may not always be in balance. During this session, participants will engage in creative expression through art, music, and movement. We will all collaborate to create an altar to honor the women (past and/or present) and/or feminine energies that have shaped our lives.
What qualities define the sacred feminine for you? How are these qualities expressed, or not, in your life today?
Date: March 7, 2025
Time: 10am – 12pm
Interested? REGISTER: workshops@cvims.org

Art Therapy
2025-03-14 10:00 - 12:00 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Self care practices help us recharge, reconnect with ourselves, and maintain physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Join Amélie Blanchard, a Registered Art Therapist and Pauline Goh, Clinical Counsellor for this special session of our Art Therapy workshop series!

Cultural stigmas and social pressures can make it difficult to prioritize self care. Through movement, music, and art explore ways to relate the concept of self care, practice self care.

Friday, March 14
10am – 12pm
101 – 319 Selby St.

Let’s reconnect, recharge, and discover ways to nurture ourselves. This session is open to all – no artistic experience needed!

Interested? REGISTER: workshops@cvims.org
Or just drop-in!
