Written by the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS)
The Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS) is a settlement and integration agency in Victoria, BC, located on the traditional territory of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) peoples. Founded in 1989 by three former refugees, VIRCS continues to serve over 4,000 diverse newcomers each year through a variety of empowering programs.
The Newcomer Wraparound Support Program (NWSP) is an IRCC funded program that assists newcomers facing overwhelming or complex barriers in their settlement and integration. Eligible clients include those who are Permanent Residents, Protected Persons and Convention Refugees. Clients receive support that utilizes a wraparound approach. This approach enables individualized and collaborative assistance that meaningfully supports newcomers.
The wraparound approach used by the NWSP is a holistic and strengths-based planning process. It is empirically supported to result in the best outcomes for newcomers facing multiple barriers to settlement. By placing clients in the centre of the program, the best support network for overcoming barriers is discovered.
Beginning with an in-depth needs assessment, NWSP collaborates with client’s to create personalized settlement support through a wraparound plan. This plan is based upon their strengths, wishes and dreams, and aims to preserve their agency with a focus on empowerment. Services are provided through individual, family and/or group settings. Through the program, clients feel that their voices are heard, their strength is utilized, and they feel they are not alone in a new country.
The wraparound approach also relies on collaboration with community partnerships. Referral services to various community partners are completed to assist clients in navigating their new community and transformative local resources. Workshops and information sessions that align with newcomers needs are also held at VIRCS with the help of local experts.
If you or your client would like to access the Newcomer Wraparound Support Program’s services at the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, you can contact us through email ([email protected]), by phone (250-361-9433), or find out more about us via our website (https://www.vircs.bc.ca/newcomer-wraparound-support-program).
