Accreditations and Awards

2025 King Charles III Coronation Medal

• A recognition of over 30 years in the settlement sector
• Chris has helped coordinate Canada’s national and provincial humanitarian responses to the Syrian, Ukrainian and Afghan crisies

Chief Executive Officer, Chris Friesen, was bestowed this medal to commemorate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on May 6, 2023. These medals provide an opportunity to recognize exceptional Canadians for their accomplishments and contributions to their fellow citizens, to our communities and to Canada.

Living Wage BC

• Ensures our staff are suitable compensated for their amazing work.
• A public commitment to fair pay practises in British Columbia.

ISSofBC was recognized as an employer who pays all direct and contract staff the living wage rate for their region. ISSofBC recognizes that paying a living wage is an investment in the long-term prosperity of the economy.

Outstanding Site Award

• Reflects the unique design of our Victoria Drive location that offers housing, medical care, language support and settlement services to newly arrived refugees, all in one place.

ISSofBC’s Advanced Literacy and Essential Skills (ALES) in the workplace was honoured with the ALES Outstanding Site Award for creating opportunities for newcomers to fulfill their career goals while helping employees hire and retain highly skilled and motivated employees.

Royal Bank of Canada

• Given in recognition for our long history of excellence in providing care and support to newcomers in British Columbia.
• Rewarded after the key role we played responding to the Syrian refugee crisies of 2016/2017.

ISSofBC was named the Top Settlement Agency in Canada in 2018 by RBC (Royal Bank) and the Canadian Immigrant magazine. The Top Settlement Agency in Canada award celebrates the contributions, dedication and hard work of agencies in helping immigrants settle and succeed in Canada.

BC Ministry of Jobs

• Recognition of our work supporting newcomers find jobs, retrain and thrive in Canada.

ISSofBC was honoured to share the 2017 Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Award with the BC Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology for the role as an essential partner in the Refugee Readiness Fund Initiative.

Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC

• Celebrating our commmitment to championing diversity, inclusion and integration for all newcomers in BC.

ISSofBC Welcome Centre was selected by AMSSA (Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC) to receive the Riasat Ali Khan Diversity Award. The award recognizes an AMSSA member organization for innovative programming that supports diversity and promotes integration.

Coquitlam Crunch

• A wonderful example of community fundraising and the welcoming spirit towards newcomers in Metro Vancouver.

The grant was awarded for the support of diversity initiatives that promote inclusion in the Tri-cities area. Grant funds are raised by fitness enthusiasts participating in the workout trail of the Coquitlam Crunch.

YWCA

• A fitting award for our former CEO, Patricia Woroch, who played a vital leadership role within the non-profit sector in BC.

Patricia Woroch, the former CEO of ISSofBC, received the 2017 YWCA Women of Distinction Award in the Non-Profit category for propelling change through her leadership within the non-profit sector and for making a significant difference in Metro Vancouver.