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.
Our Mission
Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society is situated on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territory of the Okanagan Syilx Nation and we recognize, with gratitude and respect, that, for centuries, the Indigenous stewards of these lands have welcomed local settlers with kindness and compassion.
At VDICSS, we wish to honour this example of inclusivity of the Okanagan peoples by fostering a culturally conscious, equitable community that advocates for the rights of all. We support newcomers to Canada in becoming thriving, contributing members of the community. We are a catalyst for positive change driven by our 6 values: Equity, Empowerment, Progress, Inclusivity, Diversity and Collaboration.
Our Vision
We envision a culturally inclusive, equitable community for all. A community that respects and appreciates the value of diversity and supports the full participation of people from all backgrounds.
Our Values
Equity
Empowerment
Progress
Inclusivity
Diversity
Collaboration
Meet the Team
Kristina Steinmetz
Executive Director
Elizabeth Koop
Executive Assistant
Adelina Fress
Settlement Worker
Julia Reball
Settlement Worker
Wendy Zarr
Assessor, LINC Coordinator, LINC Instructor
Rebekka Peter
LINC Instructor
Curtis Emde
LINC Instructor,
Settlement Support Worker
Amelia Sirianni
Community Connections/ Programming Coordinator
Daniel Vallejo
Settlement Worker in Schools
Megan Priest
Child Care Manager
Patricia Cardenas
Early Childhood Educator Assistant
Svetlana Gaab
Childminder
Carly Gare
Case Manager/Employment Services Coordinator
Laura Zimmer
Agency Support Worker
Enzo Vera-Valencia
TFW Outreach Worker