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Programs & ServicesSettlementSenior Newcomer Support

Senior Newcomer Support

If you are 55 or older, you can make friends, discover local events, become part of your community, and enjoy life in British Columbia.

Services are available in English and your first language (see below)

Contact our Seniors Program

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What is our Senior Newcomer Support program?

This program is for senior newcomers aged 55 or older who want to learn more about their local communities, make new friends, and improve their digital skills.

Contact Connecting Seniors

To join This program, you must:

  • Meet the eligibility requirements (see below).
  • Live or be willing to travel to one of the service locations (see below).
  • Contact the program and complete the intake process with ISSofBC staff.

Why join our Senior’s program?


This program can offer you many benefits in your personal life. Explore these benefits below:

Social connections and new friends

You can meet other older seniors from your home country, enjoy familiar cultural experiences, and make friends.

Learn about community resources and Canadian culture

Program staff will share information about local support and organizations such as libraries, parks, and medical care.

Improve digital skills

You can learn basic computer skills, such as how to register or access different Canadian services online, online program services, and webinars.

Practice English in a friendly environment

You can join our free Conversation Circles to improve your English in a safe and welcoming space.

Weekly support groups in your language

Join regular group meetings with other seniors and guest speakers in English and in your first language, such as Ukrainian or Dari.

Peer group facilitation training

Become a senior navigator and community leader through our 10-week training program. Added benefits include work, leadership, and volunteer experience.

Who can join our Senior’s program?

You must be 55 years old or older to join this program. You must also hold one of these statuses in Canada. Priority is given to newcomers who have been in Canada for less than five years:

Immigration status glossary

You must have one of the following statuses in Canada:

  • Individuals selected to become a Permanent Resident, and have been informed by a letter from the IRCC
  • Protected Person, as defined in S.95 of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protect Act (IRPA)
  • Permanent Resident (PR)
  • Live-in caregiver or Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW)
  • Provincial nominee who is waiting for a letter of approval for permanent residency from IRCC
  • Naturalized Canadian Citizen.

Find answers to common questions about the Connecting Seniors program:

Get quick answers to frequently asked questions about Connecting Seniors program services, eligibility, the application process, and how we support your journey:

Yes! Our Seniors program can support you in your first language, and we organize our groups by language so that you can chat with other seniors who speak your language.

We also offer English conversation circles where you can practice in a friendly setting.

To help you make friends and enjoy yourself, we offer several group activities where you can express yourself and your culture and learn about other’s experiences and skills.

Activities include cooking, knitting, jewelry making, musical performances, drawing, painting, and more.”

We help you explore British Columbia and various locations around Metro Vancouver. You will visit local tourist attractions and try new activities.

Program locations:

You can join this program at the following ISSofBC offices:

Coquitlam (including Port Moody and Port Coquitlam)

New Westminster

Languages available:

Our seniors program offers services in several languages.

We can also provide additional support in other languages via translators. 

If you require more language support, please contact settlement@issbc.org

Spanish

Dari

Farsi

Arabic

English

Want to join? Register today!

If you would like to join, contact the program via email below:

Contact the Connecting Seniors

Coquitlam

Surrey

Funding Partners

The IRCC funds the Connecting Seniors program from the Governments of Canada and British Columbia.

IRCC – Government of Canada

Government of British Columbia

Related Resources

We have collected tools and resources to assist you in learning English, accessing community services, finding work, and understanding Canada’s refugee processes.

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    Volunteering and Community Connections

    Volunteering is a great way to get Canadian work experience and support our important work of welcoming newcomers to British Columbia! As a volunteer with ISSofBC, you will get:

    Valuable professional experience

    Opportunities to learn about your local community

    New friends and mentors

    A way of practicing your English

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