If you have recently immigrated to Canada and are having trouble finding your way through the different systems that exist here, the Rocky View Immigrant Services program is here to guide your way. Luciana Fernandez, Coordinator of the program, has opened her office at Town Hall from 9-1 on Mondays for people who have booked an appointment with her and are looking for some extra help in settling.
“The goal of the program is to help newly immigrated families and people navigate through the system; whether that means getting a social insurance number, and helping them settle in,” says Fernandez, “I also work alongside the Rocky View School Division by helping new families through that stream as well.”
Aside from that, the program is designed to help with any basic settlement services that the individuals or families may require.
The implementation of this program as a whole will hopefully steady the lives of people who need a solid foundation to build on.
From there, individuals and families have a better opportunity to move on with their lives and settle in more comfortably in to not only our community, but also the country of Canada. The Immigrant Services Program covers the areas of Cocheren, Airdrie, Chestermere, and schools part of the Rocky View School Division. It is also working with the Stepping Stones to Mental Health program.
“We’re just trying to see what we can offer as well as provide information to newcomers,” says Fernandez. Diane Fisher, Manager of Community Development and Immigration Services (CCIS), was involved for three years in the mapping of needs for the inclusion, “A research component indicated that the community was in need of a program such as this one,” Fisher says, “and with the conclusion of that research component we now know that a program such as this is important to have in the community.” If you have any questions about the program, or would like to set up an appointment with Luciana Fernandez, please contact her at either (403) 604-2377, or email her at rvimmigrantservices@ccis-calgary.ab.ca.
