About Us
Working Towards a Better Tomorrow
At Vernon & District Immigrant & Community Services Society, we see the value in everyone. We want to be a catalyst for positive change, and since our beginnings in 1989, we’ve been driven by the same ideas we initially founded our non-profit organization upon: support, empowerment, and progress.
Learn more about our vision, values, objectives, and how we go about making the changes we want to see.
Vision
A vibrant community that welcomes our clients and provides excellent opportunities for them to contribute to a society in a way that appreciates the value of cultural and ethnic diversity.
Values
We believe that everybody can make a unique and positive contribution to our society
We recognize that participation is a two-way street in which our clients and the wider community gain the most through positive and frequent exchanges
We will partner with other organizations which share our values in order to broaden our network, share capacities, and create greater opportunities for clients
We will provide excellent service to our clients
We will be ethical and honest
We will be socially and environmentally responsible
We will be respectful of culture and ethnicity
Objectives
To assist in orientation and settlement of Immigrants and Newcomers to Canada.
To recognize and provide unmet needs of Immigrants in the Community.
To encourage an attitude in the community of cross-cultural awareness and understanding.
To encourage and assist Immigrants to participate in Canadian Society.
To provide a reception and information center for social, cultural and educational interactions.
To assist in employment readiness through access of existing programs and creation of new programs.
To encourage and help them obtain Canadian Citizenship.
To refer Newcomers and Canadian Citizens to other community organizations and agencies.
Meet the Team
Philipp Gruner
Chief Executive Officer
Elizabeth Koop
Executive Assistant
Tanis Farina
Settlement Worker
Adelina Fress
Settlement Worker
Amelia Sirianni
Settlement Worker in Schools
Curtis Emde
Settlement Support Worker
Maritza Reilly
Community Connections Coordinator
Wendy Zarr
LINC Coordinator
Rebekka Peter
LINC Instructor
Maytee Ferrigno
Employment Counsellor
Carly Gare
Employment Counsellor
Aida Sanchez
TFW Outreach Support Worker