South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services (SOICS) is a one-stop shop that plays an important role in the settlement and integration of immigrants and refugees from the moment they arrive in Canada. Located in south-central BC, we outreach to small, remote, and rural communities in the South Okanagan-Similkameen, extending from Summerland south to Osoyoos, west to Cawston and Keremeos, and east to Princeton.
With offices in Penticton and Oliver, SOICS meets the clients’ direct needs through initiatives that equip them with the tools and confidence they need to enhance their skills, reduces barriers, and ultimately increase their participation in the broader community. Indirectly, we serve the broader community by enhancing the capacity to increase the pace of social and economic integration for newcomers so that they are further contributing to the community as civically minded members. We develop multi-level collaborative partnerships that address complex social challenges that cannot be undertaken by one organisation in isolation.
With qualified and determined staff and a network of committed volunteers, SOICS offers opportunities for immigrants to obtain recognized Canadian credentials, acquire language/skills required to function in Canada from basic social interaction to the more specialized workplace and provides environment improving opportunities for them to become engaged with the community.
We offer the following services:
- English Language Training
- Settlement Services
- Employment Services
- Community Connections
- Life Skills Workshops
- Local Immigration Partnership
All of SOICS’ services are free for eligible immigrants. For more information on becoming a SOICS client, please visit Getting Started at SOICS. To make an appointment, please call or visit one of our offices.