ICA Workshops + Classes

Did you know ICA hosts workshops throughout the year on a wide range of topics from gardening to yoga to parenting classes?

74-year-old Jia Chen arrived from China in 2014 and has been a part of ICA since her arrival. She recently participated in ICA's Growing Gardens project and thoroughly enjoyed connecting with people from different communities as they learned how to garden in a new environment.
 
Jia says it perfectly: "there is no age limit for learning."
 
"Programs at ICA gave me an exposure in terms to different cultures and I gradually began mingling with them. The community in Victoria is welcoming which helped me to settle well in the surroundings," said Jia.
 
One of our most popular workshops is a healthy cooking class that is conducted over six-weeks. ICA carries out this program in collaboration with the Centre for Disease Control (CDC). "The CDC provides the materials and ingredients for cooking healthy meals and ICA organizes the workshops. Participants have a great time cooking together," said Amanda Gaunt, ICA's Training Coordinator.
 
In the coming months, ICA has many wonderful workshops planned. You can see all of the workshops by visiting our website by clicking here .
Childcare: Building For Their Future
For parents who are new to Canada and wanting to learn English, access to affordable childcare can be a significant barrier.

ICA's licensed Childcare Centre offers a great solution for our eligible LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) clients  by providing a warm, supportive environment that nurtures each child and supports the families' needs.
 
"It is our goal to have the children leave our program prepared to start Kindergarten familiar and comfortable with all classroom transitions. We want our children to know that they belong to a community and to feel safe and ready for the next chapter of their lives. Most of all, we want our children to leave confident, capable and happy. " said Lori de Wet, Childcare Coordinator at ICA.

From a music program that helps cross initial language barriers to activities that empower the children as they adjust to life in a new place, ICA's Childcare Centre offers a supportive environment for children who have sometimes come here from very difficult situations to successfully build their new lives in Canada.
 
The children also have access to routine check-ups and visits by a dental hygienist and o ur qualified staff are able to support families and help them with any challenges their children may be facing.

If you would like to support ICA please email Sheryl Sackman to learn more about how you can help or make a donation online by clicking here.
In Our Community
Are you a parent or guardian of children 12 years old or younger?
We want to hear from you!

The municipalities of Central Saanich, Highlands, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich and Sidney have partnered to develop an inventory of child care spaces and create an action plan to increase the availability of child care in our communities.
Click here to go to the survey: 
Employment Resources 
 
Did you know?

ICA is a Work BC Employment Services Centre? We have a full suite of services for all your employment needs, including a variety of workshops and programs.

 
 
Artists & Makers
Help us explore ideas for
ICA's GLOBAL MAKERSPACE
 
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