Community News

ISC and CCCC to launch the "After School Program for Immigrant Children"

January 21, 2010
by Paul K.P. Wong

Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC) is pleased to announce the launch of the Mosaic After-School Program in partnership with the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre (CCCC). The program is funded by the City of Calgary -- the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).


(L-R) Samantha Yang, Jason Luan, Jake Louie, Dr. Bob Robinson, Din Ladak, Wendy Auger and Johnson Opoku.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr. Bob Robinson, the chair of the board of ISC, Din Ladak, the CEO of ISC; Jake Louie, the Chairman of CCCC, and Samantha Yang, the Executive Administrator of CCCC.  Jason Luan, the social planner of FCSS, Wendy Auger, the manager of the Mosaic Family Resource Centre, and Johnson Opoku, the coordinator of the In-Home Family Support Program, attended the signing ceremony; which was held at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre in Chinatown.

According to Samantha Yang, this program will commence on March 1, 2010, it will provide daily after-school activities for immigrant and refugee children between the ages of six to twelve at the Centre.


(L-R)Jake Louie, the Chairman of CCCC, Jake Louie and Dr. Bob Robinson was signing the Memorandum of Understanding.

Many families often lack the resources to provide their children with after-school activities during these critical hours. What children do during these hours can have a great impact on their long-term academic and social development. All children are vulnerable to negative influences, and often benefit from specific programs designed to increase their social and cultural integration. To meet these needs, the Mosaic After-School Program, funded by Family and Community Support Services, and the City of Calgary, will provide experiences that will enhance the inclusion of participants’ in program and recreational activities.

The after school program will included live drama, arts and crafts, music, cooking, sporting games and homework help. Yang said.

Dr. Bob Robinson said, this is a good opportunity for ISC to extend their immigration services to the Chinese community.  This is a right time and right match for this program between ISC and CCCC.


(L-R)Jake Louie, the Chairman of CCCC, Jake Louie and Dr. Bob Robinson shake hands after the signing ceremony.

Jason Luan stated, the City is glad to see that both strong organizations can made up this program so quickly, and willing to support both organizations’ vision and commitment for the community.

Din Ladak also mentioned, Wendy Auger and Johnson Opoku from their organization will assist the program, and make sure it runs as an admirable after school program for immigrants’ children in the area.

The goals of the program for both organizations are designed to further the children’s self-esteem, social engagement and success. For additional information about the program and the registration, please feel free to call the Centre: 403-262-5071.

ABOUT IMMIGRANT SERVICES CALGARY:
Immigrant Services Calgary was founded in 1977, and it is a comprehensive settlement and integration agency that provides a wide range of programs and services to Calgary’s immigrant and refugee population. We are dedicated to ensuring that immigrants and their families have the opportunity to become full participants, as beneficiaries and contributors, in Canadian society.  For additional information, please visit their website: www.immigrantservicescalgary.ca

ABOUT THE CALGARY CHINESE CULTURAL CENTRE:
The mission of the Centre is to establish and maintain unique facilities for the public to promote communication, educational, recreational and cultural activities. Since its grand opening in 1992, the Cultural Centre has remained the focal point for community activities and a premier venue offering a stimulating environment for cultural activities, arts talents and quality programs to the public. For additional information about the Centre, please visit their website: www.culturalcentre.ca

 

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