Submitted by John Di Tecco, ICA Tapestry Volunteer
 | | ICA cooking class participants |
It's no secret. ICA settlement worker Bo Min Kang hates to cook. Terrified is more precise, actually. She swears she was born without the 'cooking gene'.
Yet, with her chin up, a positive attitude and the support of her team, she agreed to facilitate the 4-week Cooking and Nutrition workshop at ICA this past October.
The aim of the workshop was to teach participants how to cook healthy food, with a focus on some Canadian favourites. The workshop featured guest cooks who brought in simple and easy recipes for the class, with Bo Min to act as the facilitator of the group. The participants ranged from newcomers that had only arrived in Victoria a few months ago, to those who had been here for over 10 years.
Bo Min dove into the class head first, to say the least. For the very first lesson, the class made Thanksgiving dinner. No small task. She was very stressed and nervous; felt that she had nothing to share with the participants - especially about Canadian cooking - as she had lived in Korea for most of her life and had only been in Canada for 9 years. In the end, however, the class was a huge success and the meal was delicious.
As each session passed, the happier Bo Min felt and the more confident she
became. In the past, Bo Min would try to cook, but get overwhelmed and give up. This time, however, because the recipes were easy to follow, and because she and the guest cooks had to explain the recipes step-by-step to the participants so they could understand, Bo Min started to enjoy cooking - she even began attempting recipes at home, on her own.
The learning curve was steep for Bo Min, but fun. For example, there was the 'garlic incident'.
Read more about Bo Min's experience in the kitchen here.
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| Cupcakes for Kids raises $1,200 for Youth Services |
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Submitted by Meghan Mergaert, Development Manager
A huge thank you from the ICA staff, and the children and youth that access ICA Youth Services to Colin Baldwin and the members of the Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE) fraternity at UVic for donating almost $1200 to ICA Youth Services.
 | | Colin presenting donation and more delicious cupcakes |
This donation will go towards a new youth program that will be announced in January. Special thanks to Crumbsy Cupcake Cafe for partnering with DKE on this initiative.
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Making a difference by simply.....talking?
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Submitted by Liz Bean, Coordinator of Volunteer Services
A few comments of appreciation from ICA newcomer English language learners to the volunteers in the Conversation Buddy Program:
Yannie: "I really enjoyed talking with the volunteers. It was really helpful for our daily lives."
Rose: "I couldn't wait to talk with volunteers when they came to our class."
Sasha: "They helped me improve my speaking and listening skills."
When learning something new, especially a new language, it takes practice, and more practice.
ICA volunteers visited English language classes each week over the fall term, leading conversation circles with adult English language learners. ICA students got the opportunity to improve their conversational English skills through meaningful interaction and exchange. "They talk about real things, as it relates to their lives in Canada", said language instructor Maggie El Shuli.
 | ICA Conversation Buddy volunteers
(top row: Denise, Shirley, Jessica & bottom row: Alice, Kris)
Other Conversation Buddies not in the picture include: Joy, Patricia, Phyllis |
Read more.....
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Submitted by Claire Kelly, Youth Settlement Worker
It has been a very successful, and very busy, few months for youth programs at ICA. The biggest announcement is that the Homework Club, typically on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 pm, has expanded. Over 20 students were regularly attending the Wednesday night homework club. We have responded to this growing need for academic support and have added an additional homework club on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. We are excited that more youth can receive one-on-one homework help from our volunteer tutors.
 | | Mariam Batool, Claire Kelly & Zhiqi Jiang attending Fresh Voices conference |
Another exciting announcement is that ICA youth staff and two youth from ICA - Zhiqi Jiang and Mariam Batool - were invited to the "Fresh Voices" youth forum in Vancouver in early December. Fresh Voices from Long Journeys is a partnership initiative between Vancouver Foundation, the Representative for Children & Youth and an advisory team of immigrant and refugee youth leaders. The ultimate goal is "to improve the policies and practices that affect immigrant and refugee youth's sense of belonging in British Columbia and Canada as a whole".
100 immigrant and refugee youth gathered to discuss challenges they face migrating to Canada and how they can work together to make a positive change. Both youth (and Claire) had an incredible experience participating in the forum. Mariam felt that all the participants were "warm, welcoming and very open" and Zhiqi felt so inspired that she began a newcomers club at her high school! As a youth leader, I felt it was such an inspiration to watch the passion within all that was there, especially the two youth I was with.
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Youth Employment Training participants meet "experts" from different professions.
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Finally, December 15th wrapped up the tenth and final session of Youth Employment Training, where 10 youth were paired up to speak with 10 professionals from different fields.
Read more here.
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| Video Vignettes "Stories by the Light of the Moon" |
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Submitted by Paulina Grainger, Arts & Outreach Coordinator
We have just uploaded onto our website 6 video vignettes of some of the shadow work created by a group of seniors during the "Stories by the Light of the Moon" project.  | |
Stories by the Light of the Moon: Uncle Pockets
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Guided by local theatre director, Will Weigler, seniors from different local activity centres and from a wide range of cultures learned to use shadow theatre to share the stories that they cherished when they were children. In the fall, the finished stories they created were woven into a short theatre play and performed to family, friends and the community.
Watch the rest of the video vignettes on ICA Victoria on Vimeo.This project was created in partnership with the Victoria Chinese Seniors Association (VCSA), Victoria Chinese Cultural Association (VCCA), Cook Street Village Activity Centre (CSVAC), Gordon Head Recreation Centre (GHRC), James Bay New Horizons (JBNH) and Burnside Gorge Community Association (BGCA).
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ICA staffs raise $5,201 for the United Way Campaign
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Submitted by Ash Moosavi, United Way Campaign Co-Chair for ICA
During the month of November 2014, ICA staff rallied together, along with many other organizations in the CRD, to reach United Way's goal of $6 million for Greater Victoria community services.
ICA staff enthusiastically participated in four events:
Cooking Class, ICA Casual Day, Fashion Boutique, Raffle Basket.
Students from ICA English language classes learned about the community need in Victoria and how the United Way of Greater Victoria support's people in need in our community. Evening English language students and teachers donated baked and savoury treats for a delicious bake sale combined with highlighting their many talents in a talent show.
The four events raised $1,224 plus $3,977 in staff pledges, ICA raised $5,201 for the United Way Employee Campaign.
We are proud to be a part of the many community agencies that make Greater Victoria vibrant and look forward to the many successes of 2015.
Congratulations to the lucky winner of the grand prize of the ICA paid day off, Chieko Iza, LINC Administrative Assistant.
Special thanks to The Market on Yates and Blair Mart for donating campaign prizes and to our United Way Sponsored Representative, Kelly Binette. Many thanks from ICA United Way Campaign co-chairs Ash Moosavi and Preet Johal.
 | | ICA staff during cooking lesson for United Way fundraiser |
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ICA renews partnership with Victoria WIN
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Submitted by Sabine Lehr, Immigrant Services Manager
 ICA has renewed its partnership with WIN for the WIN gift certificate program for the period November 2014 to October 2015. A total of $500 will be available to ICA clients in acute need.
The certificates have an enormous impact for the women we serve. We frequently support immigrant and refugee women who need to start a new household of their own, complete with household items and furniture.
Frequently, they are single mothers and have to support themselves and their child(ren), so having access to clothing is highly useful. Women have reported that they appreciate the hassle-free nature of the program and the flexibility of not having to get all items at once, but being able to go back until the maximum amount on their certificate has been reached. WIN's gift certificate program is one of the few direct cash support programs available to ICA's female clients and is therefore highly valued by our settlement workers.
Visit one of the three WIN stores or learn more about the organization at their website.
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______________________
2014 President's Appeal
Thank you to everyone that has donated to ICA during our holiday appeal.
_____________________________
This festive time of year, when we celebrate with friends and family, I am asking you to make a donation to the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria.
Please consider a gift of $25, $50, $100, $250 or a donation of your choice. Your contribution will help newcomers create lasting friendships and build the support networks that help them contribute more fully to our community.
Thank you for welcoming and supporting immigrants to our community. Their skills and cultural diversity enrich us now and contribute to an ongoing strong and viable future.
Sincerely,
Cathy Hunter
Board President
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What's Happening?
2015 Multifaith Calendars
Available at ICA for $20
Call reception at 250-388-4728 ext. 0 or drop by ICA reception to pick up your copy.
ICA Employment Services
If you are looking for employment or need to upgrade, ICA's Employment Services Centre can help!
Learn more
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Community Events
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Quiz for a Cause: Fundraiser for Victoria Sexual Assault Centre
Benji teams up with VSAC to host a quiz fundraiser event.
$20 tickets at the door.
Thursday, Dec 18 7:30 pm
The Copper Owl, 1900 Douglas St.
Annual Festival of Trees
The Fairmont Empress turns into a lush forest of beautifully decorated trees to raise funds for BC Children's Hospital Foundation.
Daily until January 6, 2015
721 Government St. Fairmont Empress Hotel
Centennial Square Ferris Wheel
Ride the ferris wheel in Centennial Square and see Victoria from 65 feet in the sky. All rides $2.
November 23 - December 22
Fridays 5 -10 pm
Saturdays noon - 10 pm
Sundays noon - 7:30 pm
Learn more...
National Gingerbread Showcase
Creative gingerbread houses on display at the Laurel Point Inn.
Daily until January 4, 2015.
Learn more....
The Shortest Day free film
Family friendly free short films at The Vic on the shortest day of the year.
December 21
Family matinee: 3:30 pm
Canadian comedies: 7 pm
Learn more....
Royal BC Museum: Admission by donation
Visit the Royal BC Museum with friends and family the first week of January. Exhibits include Wildlife Photography, Natural Languages, First Peoples Gallery & more.
January 2 - 9, 2015
Learn more....
Victoria Film Festival
20th Annual Film Festival including film, video and new media. February 6-15, 2015.
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