CVIMS - Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society

CRA Tax Clinic
2025-09-17 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Taxes? Got questions? Make an appointment to attend the CRA Tax Clinic and get one-on-one guidance, assistance and answers to your questions regarding taxes and the Canada Revenue Agency.
Get assistance on:

Taxes: Get clarity on tax filing requirements, deductions, credits, and deadlines, ensuring compliance with CRA regulations while maximizing your tax benefits.
Government Benefits and Credits: Learn about available government benefits, such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), GST/HST credits, and other income support programs, and how to apply for them.
GST/HST Guidelines: Understand the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) requirements for businesses and individuals, including registration, filing, and remittance procedures.
Pension Plans and Retirement Savings: Explore pension plan options, including the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), and Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), and how they impact your financial future.
CRA My Account Assistance: Receive assistance with setting up and navigating your CRA My Account, a secure online portal where you can manage your tax and benefit information conveniently.

Contact your Settlement Worker to REGISTER
APPOINTMENTS ARE LIMITED

Family Lounge
2025-09-17 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-09-24 16:30 - 17:30 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
For parents and children ages 4 – 7 years old .
Join the SWIS team each week for an afternoon filled with fun! Enjoy crafts, games, music, and lots of fun!
Please REGISTER: swis@cvims.org
Every Wednesday, from September 10 – 24.
4:30 – 5:30pm

Youth Art Therapy Session
2025-09-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Bastion CVIMS, 103 - 235 Bastion Street, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9R 3A4, Canada
Come join this safe and welcoming space where creativity meets healing! Whether you are an experienced artist or new to the creative process, you can be part of this session where you will have the opportunity to create, reflect, and heal through art. Navigate emotions and promote personal growth, connect with yourself and like-minded individuals.
No previous art skills are required – just an open mind and a desire to explore.
Ages: 19 – 25
Date: Thursday, September 18
Time: 5:00 – 7:00pm
REGISTER: HERE

Art Therapy
2025-09-19 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-09-26 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-10-03 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-10-10 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-10-17 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-10-24 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-10-31 09:30 - 12:00 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
This 10-week workshop is designed to help you explore and express your emotions through creativity in a safe and supportive environment. The Art Therapy workshop is a safe group 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.
Time: 9:3 0am – 12:00 pm
Interested? REGISTER HERE

September 19 – Goals and Visions
September 26 – CVIMS Closed, no workshop
October 3 – Stress Management
October 10 – Healthy Boundaries
October 17 – Anger Management
October 24 – Communication Skills
October 31 – Grief & Loss pt. 1
November 7 – Grief & Loss pt. 2
November 14 – Self Care
November 21 – Courage & Resilience
November 28 – Cultivating Community
December 5 – Exploratory

Cover Letter - Employment Workshops
2025-09-25 11:00 - 12:30 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Our employment workshop series is back for another time!
Are you looking to start a new career? Need help with the application process? Have never written a cover letter? Join our employment workshop – Cover Letters and learn all you need to know to stand out to employers in the Canadian job market.
In this workshop you can expect to:

Learn what Cover Letters are and what information to include to target the job you are applying for.
Learn tips and tricks to make you stand out
Get feedback on your own resume or cover letter

To Register: workshops@cvims.org

Strong Families, Strong Future
2025-10-07 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-10-15 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-10-22 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-10-28 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-10-29 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-11-05 16:00 - 18:00 | BC
Interactive parenting group, join staff and guest speakers in an open dialogue on key family and parenting topics.
This is a 5-week program that encourages parents to come and share their own strategies while also exploring new ideas and approaches. It is a program designed to create empowerment to build awareness and promote strengths.
Designed with some online and in-person sessions.
REGISTER HERE

October 7th – Online Safety (via Zoom)
October 15th – Teen Mental Health (In-person or via Zoom)
October 22nd – Nutrition (In-person or via Zoom)
October 28th – Self-Care & School Supports (via Zoom)
October 29th – Conversation Circle (In-person)
November 5th – Substance Use (In-person)

Pre-Teen Lounge
2025-10-08 16:00 - 18:30, 2025-10-15 16:00 - 18:30, 2025-10-22 16:00 - 18:30, 2025-10-29 16:00 - 18:30 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Join the SWIS Team for some afternoon fun!
Come enjoy games, cooking, crafts and meet new friends. Enjoy some tasty snacks and more! A weekly meeting on Wednesdays for youth ages 8 -12 years old.
Wednesdays, October 1st to 29th
4:30 -6:00pm
REGISTER HERE

Mentor Connect
2025-10-08 16:30 - 17:30 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Information Session
In partnership with Immigrant Employment Council of BC [IECBC], learn their MentoConnect Program. Skilled immigrants are connected with professionals to help them familiarize themselves with local professionals norms, networks, and Canada’s labour market. These one-on-one mentorships can bring valuable insights and connections.
Can be attended in-person or via Zoom.
Register: workshops@cvims.org

Job Search - Employment Workshops
2025-10-09 11:00 - 12:30 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Looking for a new employment opportunity? Need some help navigating the Canadian job market?
Whether you are just starting to try to find employment or are looking for new opportunities, this workshop is for you! What you can expect:

Learn how to navigate the Canadian employment market
Learn how to better target your job search
Learn about getting the most out of the most popular search websites: Indeed, WorkBC, and Canada Job Bank

REGISTER: workshops@cvims.org

Thanksgiving Day
2025-10-13 | BC
What are you thankful for? Wishing everyone a joyful Thanksgiving filled with warmth and connection ❣️

Monday, October 13th, 2025 there will be no CVIMS programs and services. We will return to regular business hours on Tuesday, October 15th, 2025

Banking in Canada
2025-10-15 16:30 - 18:00 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Managing your finances can be overwhelming. Join this information session led by Derek Chen, Community General Manager of CIBC Bank and learn how to better manage your money. Understand how to manage every day expenses and unexpected expenses, as well as how to budget in to achieve your financial goals and protect your money.
In-Person or via Zoom session
REGISTER HERE

Employer Trade Talk
2025-10-22 17:00 - 18:30 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Interested in a new career path? Join this information session and learn about working for BC Ferries.
This is a great opportunity if you are looking for a fun, exciting new job path, or just if you are curious. Join this session and learn about job opportunities, certification requirements, company culture, and so much more!
In-person workshop.
REGISTER HERE

LinkedIn
2025-10-23 11:00 - 12:30 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
Do you want to learn how to make the most out of this tool??
LinkedIn is a great resource for advancing your professional career. Join this session and learn how to effectively use it for job search, practical tools, and how to create your profile to make it stand out to employers and future connections.
In-person workshop
REGISTER HERE

Halloween Safety | Trick or Treating
2025-10-31 15:30 - 17:00 | CVIMS, 101-319 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9R 2R4, Canada
A time for SPOOKY FUN!
Parents and children welcome! Parents will attend to learn about Halloween safety while children make some crafts with the SWIS Team. Then, we can all join in some Halloween fun and go Trick or Treating to the CVIMS buildings.
For the Parents’ Halloween Safety Workshop, REGISTER HERE!
Register children up to grade 12 for Trick or Treating HERE!

BC Hydro
2025-11-05 11:30 - 12:30 | BC
Get tips, advice, and learn about valuable
rebates to help improve your home’s
energy efficiency and save on your energy
bills in simple, effortless steps.
In person Room 21/ZOOM from 11:30 to 12:30 pm
Register at workshops@cvims.org
