Enable Program

To see the above Enable Program Flyer Click here

* Due to COVID-19, many of our programs have changed. Please see the specific programs and our calendar below for more details.  *Check out our July 2021 calendar here!  The Enable Program supports the needs of  immigrant and refugee, children and youth between the ages of 6 - 25. All of our services are designed to address their academic, social and emotional needs as they transition into Canadian Society.   Program activities include: SPARKS for Children Homework Club & Tutoring Art Therapy  for Children Youth Activity Night – Drop-ins Youth Strides Summer Camp

SPARKS For Children

Due to COVID-19, SPARKS is currently cancelled and we hope to continue in 2021. 

Sparks aims to help newcomer children improve their English and build stronger social-emotional skills as they adjust to the Canadian school system.  Sparks uses games, art, stories, sports and more to help children make new friends, practice their English and learn about Ca­nadian culture. All activities and lessons plans are designed to build children's self-esteem, support healthy behaviors, and encourage creative self-expression, while also learning about and celebrating diversity.  Sparks is offered in a different elementary school each term as an after school program.  Check with Enable Program staff to see if Sparks is offered at your child’s school!

Ages: 6 - 11 years old

Schedule/ Location : Sparks takes place after school for two hours per week, for 10 weeks at a local elementary school. Please contact us for more information.

Homework Club & Tutoring        

 CLICK HERE for the July 2021 Calendar

Due to COVID-19, Homework Club now focuses on ESL, Conversations, Games, Movement & Creativity (rather than Homework).

• Wednesdays, 4-5:30 pm, Cook St Village Activity Centre, 380 Cook Street
• Ages 6-11
• Make new friends!
• Learn English, play games, make arts & crafts 
• Bus tickets and snacks always provided
• Children must wear a mask, and can only attend if they are feeling well and have not been in contact with anyone with Covid-19 symptoms. 
• Parents can only drop off and pick up children; unfortunately parents are unable to stay on site during the activity. 
• Please register with Brittany brittany@vircs.bc.ca

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Homework Club helps children, youth and young adults succeed in school environments by providing one-on-one tutoring to assist with assignments, projects, tests, and improving study skills. This drop-in program provides a safe space to learn, make new friends, build self-confidence, and increase academic performance.  Homework Club is split into a children’s group for ages 6-10 and a youth group for ages 11-25, and helps with all grade school level subjects.  Homework Club meets every Wednesday with qualified volunteer tutors and VIRCS Staff.  

Art Therapy Groups

Facilitated by a profes­sional arts therapist and certified counselor, this program offers newcomer children an opportunity to increase their sense of connection and belonging while also improving their social-emotional skills. Children can participate in a 10-week group process along with one-on-one or dyad sessions to process feelings about their immigration experiences, grief and loss, separation from family members, loneliness, isolation and trauma. Mind-body approaches, creative processes, and play are used as meaningful sources for communication, self-expression, and integration. Our Arts Therapies program rotates through different elementary and middle schools in greater Victoria.

Ages: 6 - 11 years old

Schedule and Location:  The Art Therapy program takes place after school hours, for 10 weeks at a local elementary school. Please contact us for more information: jenn@vircs.bc.ca

We are currently hosting in-person activities three times a month. 

We also offer occasional outdoor and online activities. Please see our calendar for more details. 

Please check out our calendar for  July here! 

Youth Activity Night is a drop-in program that provides a safe and fun place for youth to practice their English, make new friends, and experience Victoria and what it has to offer.  Twice a month we offer a different activity including workshops, art projects, games, sports, community outings, and events.   For Youth Activity Night, we have visited the Victoria Art Gallery, gone to a Royal’s hockey game, explored local parks, had cooking workshops, and much more!  It is a great opportunity to experience new things with friends from around the world!  Youth Activity Night is for youth ages 13-19 years old. Dates, times and locations change but we normally meet on Thursdays, 6-8 pm. 

Age Range: 13 - 19 years old

Download/View our Youth Night Poster

Youth Strides Summer Camp- We hope to offer this again in the future!

Youth Strides is a free, week-long summer camp for immigrant and refugee youth ages 13-19 years old.  This year we are offering an awesome Strides Splash!, a 5-day camp in Victoria that focuses on water-sports with trained instructors, art, zumba, yoga and gardening. The camp will take place Tuesday, 3rd August- 7th August and participants do not camp over. Applications will be opening soon! If you are interested in finding out more, please reach out to Jenn Rubin, Enable Program Coordinator at jenn@vircs.bc.ca. 

Youth Theater Project

The Theater Program offers youth ages 15-20 years old, the unique opportunity to work with professional facilitators in theater and music to create an original play about their experiences of immigration. Participants take part in workshops and activities that explore themes of diversity, multiculturalism, identity, and the experience of moving to a new country.  The Theater program is a powerful creative outlet for newcomers to process their experiences, connect with other youth who share these experiences, and give back to their community by spreading awareness. Participants perform the final production in various public venues such as schools and at City hall.  

Our 2018 Program was a huge success. We are currently not running a Theatre Program but please stay tuned for any news! For more information about the Theater Project, please contact Enable Program staff.

Enable Program is supported and funded by the Province of British Columbia along with: