Other Programs

IRCOM’s Family-to-Family Program

In 2010, 26 families participated in IRCOM’s Family-to-Family Program (13 IRCOM families, 13 Canadian families). IRCOM families came from many countries including, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Eritrea, Bhutan, Ukraine, and the Philippines. In total, including children, over 100 participants benefited from this unique exchange.

IRCOM’s Family-to-Family program seeks to:

Decrease isolation of newcomers through positive, family to family interaction with Canadian families
Raise public awareness about newcomers’ lives in Canada
Bring together Canadian and Newcomer families by building bridges and friendships.

Many of the fun activities the families took part in include:

Visiting a Hindu temple
Visiting the forks
Having a picnic at St. Vital Park
Going on a boat tour
Feeding ducks at Assiniboine park
Bowling
Sharing an Eritrean coffee ceremony on Canada day
Sharing family dinners together
Visiting splash pads and parks
Attending Folklorama
Visiting the zoo
Attending the Fringe Festival
Watching sports events such as the world cup final

Year after year, since 2008, participating families have rated this program as excellent and have referred their friends to take part. Both Canadian and Newcomer families identified that they had learned a great deal about their partner family’s culture. The Family-to-Family Program has also led to a member of a newcomer family securing employment through their Canadian family. To this day there are partner families from as far back as 2008 that still see each other regularly and continue to build stronger communities.

IRCOM’s 2010 and 2011 Family-to-Family program has been generously supported by Manitoba Labour and Immigration and The Manitoba Community Services Council

To apply to volunteer with the 2011 Family-to-Family program click here

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IRCOM’s Newcomer Greening Initiative

IRCOM’s Newcomer Greening Initiative is a hugely popular program at IRCOM House. Beginning in April 2007, under the expert guidance of Jim Beckta, the Newcomer Greening Initiative began with just a handful of growers utilizing the balcony space at IRCOM to grow vegetables and herbs from Canada and their home countries.

In its fourth year, the initiative has expanded to include over 20 growers and no longer fits on the balconies at IRCOM. Currently growers are also growing with other community members on space made available by Dufferin School in the neighbourhood.

Grower’s involved in the program have often commented on the role that the gardening plays in building community. The program has been embraced by community members from all backgrounds and is intending to expand even further for Spring 2011 with additional growing space being donated by Hugh John MacDonald School.

The greening program would not be possible without the generous support of St. Mary’s United Church and Heifer International.

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IRCOM’s Adult Language Partners

IRCOM’s Adult Language Partners Program was developed to meet the needs of many of our newcomer residents who want the opportunity to practice conversational English in a one-on-one setting. The Adult Language Partner Program pairs up community volunteers with IRCOM House residents who have expressed an interest in having an English language partner.

It is the aim of the Adult Language Partners Program to improve the conversational English of newcomers and provide them with opportunities to build relationships with others living outside of IRCOM house.

Pairs meet once per week for approximately one hour practicing English and sharing stories from their lives.

There are many benefits to residents and volunteers, including;

A chance to meet a new friend
A chance to understand your language partner’s culture
A chance to share your own culture with someone from a different background
The chance to expand opportunities for fellow Winnipeggers

To apply to volunteer with this program please click here