Pacific Immigrant Resources Society

Navigating family law in a new country can be overwhelming. This free workshop is designed to help newcomers understand how family law works in British Columbia and across Canada.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is designed for newcomers to Canada who want to better understand their legal rights and responsibilities in family relationships. Whether you are married, living common-law, or in a dating relationship, the Family Law Basis workshop will help you understand which laws apply to you. Participants will learn about the differences between BC Family Law Act and the federal Divorce Act, the legal steps involved in separation or divorce, how parenting time and support are arranged, and how property and debt are divided in BC. The session also covers ways to resolve disputes without going to court and where to find legal help in your language.

📝Registration is required!
https://forms.gle/vLSZhoa2cuRWc8Ae9

Scan the QR code or contact [email protected] for more information

PIRS gratefully acknowledges the funding support of the Province of BC for the Safe Haven Program for refugee claimants and Asylum Seeker women and JES for delivering the workshop

English # Trauma Informed English Class

As Child Care Month comes to a close, we want to recognize and celebrate the incredible Child Care Providers and Early Childhood Educators whose care, patience, and dedication make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families every every day.

At PIRS, we see firsthand how access to childcare creates opportunities. Through our Pop-Up Child Care program, families can participate in workshops, training, community events, and programs with peace of mind, knowing their children are in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment.

In 2025, our Pop-Up Child Care services supported more than 200 community events and provided over 1,000 hours of childcare support, helping remove barriers to participation and creating more inclusive spaces for immigrant and refugee families across our communities.

This work would not be possible without the passionate educators and childcare professionals who bring warmth, creativity, and care into every space they enter. Not only this month, but every day, we celebrate your contributions and the impact you make in our communities.

Thank you for supporting children, empowering families, and helping communities thrive.

Join the Board of PIRS!

For over 50 years, PIRS has empowered immigrant and refugee women and their children through community, leadership, and meaningful support programs that help build belonging and opportunity in Canada.

We are currently seeking passionate and committed individuals to join our Board of Directors and help guide our next chapter.

We welcome applicants with experience in:
• Fundraising & donor engagement
• Financial oversight & sustainability
• Social enterprise & entrepreneurship
• Governance & strategic leadership

We especially encourage applications from individuals with lived experience as immigrants, newcomers, or refugees, and from equity-deserving communities.

Help us continue building stronger, more inclusive communities for immigrant and refugee women.

Applications close June 15, 2026

Learn more & apply: https://pirs.bc.ca/board-member-pacific-immigrant-resources-society-pirs/

There’s still time to apply for the 2026 PIRS Educational Bursary 👏

Are you pursuing education, training, or professional development opportunities to strengthen your skills and employability?

The PIRS Educational Bursary is intended to support immigrant and refugee women in British Columbia who may need financial support while working toward their educational and career goals.

Applicants may request up to $2,000 to help cover tuition and other education-related expenses, including books and childcare.

Let us support you in taking the next step toward your goals.

👋 Applications close June 8, 2026

Learn more and apply: https://pirs.bc.ca/our-programs/bursary-program/

Connection, learning, and shared experiences were at the heart of this year’s Early Childhood Educators of BC conference.

PIRS was proud to participate in the annual ECEBC Conference Thriving in Kinship: Inspire, Uplift, Celebrate from May 7–9 alongside educators, community leaders, service providers, and advocates committed to strengthening BC’s early learning sector.

On Day 1, members of our Childcare Leadership Group were featured as spotlight speakers. Swati, Nadezda, and Amandeep shared their lived experiences, leadership journeys, and advocacy work through the Building a Childcare System that Works for Immigrant and Refugee Women 2.0 project. They then facilitated an interactive session, under the theme of Amplifying Voices: Strengthening Childcare Through Immigrant Women Leadership, creating space for meaningful conversations around the barriers immigrant and refugee women continue to face in the sector, and the possible solutions.

On Day 3, our colleagues Hannah Kim, Valerie Lai and Anastasia Gaisenok facilitated a Trauma-Informed Practice workshop for more than 35 conference attendees, sharing PIRS' rich experience and exploring more responsive and supportive approaches to care.

We were also proud to see Anastasia Gaisenok, PIRS Director of Strategic Projects, contribute to the conference’s well-being panel discussion, sharing reflections on personal and collective well-being, systemic factors, and the realities impacting communities and service providers today.

Thank you to ECEBC for creating such a meaningful space for connection, inspiration, and collective learning. We left feeling encouraged by the conversations, leadership, and shared commitment to building a stronger and more inclusive early learning and childcare system in BC.

A new skill, certification, or educational opportunity can open the door to greater confidence, stability, and new possibilities.

At PIRS, we are proud to support immigrant and refugee women who are pursuing education and training to strengthen their skills, improve employability, and continue building fulfilling lives in Canada.

The PIRS Educational Bursary provides financial support for tuition and other education-related expenses. Applicants may request up to $2,000 in support.

📅 Applications are open until June 8, 2026
🔗 To learn more and apply, please visit our website:
https://pirs.bc.ca/our-programs/bursary-program/

As PIRS celebrates 50 years of supporting immigrant and refugee women, we remain committed to helping women grow, thrive, and move closer to their goals.

Starting over doesn’t always look the way we expect.
Bassema arrived in Canada with experience, confidence, and a strong sense of who she was. But like many immigrant women, her journey became more complex as she navigated a new environment, rebuilt her professional identity, and searched for a sense of belonging.

Through her own words, she shares what that experience felt like—the quiet moments, the challenges, and the small steps that helped her move forward.

Connecting with PIRS became an important part of that journey. Through programs like IWAC and The Shoe Project, she found space to reconnect with her voice, build community, and regain confidence.

Her story is powerful and inspiring.

As we celebrate 50 Years of Stories, we continue to honour the journeys, experiences, and contributions of immigrant and refugee women who shape our communities every day.

Has PIRS been part of your journey? We invite you to share your story.

Meet employers. Explore opportunities. Move forward.

Join Childcare Connect: Hiring & Networking Event — a welcoming space for newcomer women interested in building a career in childcare. Meet employers, learn about current opportunities, ask questions, and connect with others taking the next step in their career journey.
📅 Friday, June 12, 2026
⏰ 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
📍 Collingwood Neighbourhood House – ANNEX
3690 Vanness Ave, Vancouver, BC V5R 5B6

Spots are limited — register today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXUzoW3IIx0GjQCv9PKKnwr0a6oRCLt3wSPXcJfuyc-hDTeQ/viewform?usp=header

We gratefully acknowledge the support of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for helping make this program possible.