Pacific Immigrant Resources Society

Pacific Immigrant Resources Society PIRS is a non-profit community based organization that has been providing services for immigrant women

Empowerment. Teamwork. Collaboration. 🫶 These were some of the words our team used to describe our September All-Staff M...
10/02/2026

Empowerment. Teamwork. Collaboration. 🫶

These were some of the words our team used to describe our September All-Staff Meeting, and they certainly capture what the day was all about.

These moments give us space to connect, learn from one another, celebrate the different strengths we each bring, look ahead together, and, of course, have some fun along the way.

We left the day feeling energized, inspired, and proud of the incredible people who bring our mission to life every day through their knowledge, care, and commitment.

Thank you to our PIRS team for all that you do! 👏 🙏

September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day — Every Child Matters.Today, we pa...
09/30/2026

September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day — Every Child Matters.

Today, we pause to honour Survivors of residential schools, remember the children who never returned home, and recognize the lasting impacts on their families and communities.

At PIRS, we recognize that reconciliation is an ongoing responsibility — one that calls on all of us to listen, learn, and act, to work in solidarity and collaboration with Indigenous communities, and to carry this learning beyond September 30 and throughout the year.

To learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html

Thank you to everyone who joined our first Multi-Stakeholder Solutions Lab! It was inspiring to see the energy in the ro...
09/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined our first Multi-Stakeholder Solutions Lab! It was inspiring to see the energy in the room as participants shared experiences, learned from one another, and explored how we can create change together.

The session brought together immigrant women leaders, educators, childcare providers, community organizations, advocates, funders, and members of the Childcare Leadership Group and Childcare for All 2.0 to build a shared understanding of the barriers immigrant and refugee women experience in the ECE sector — from entering the profession to advancing in their careers.

Bringing lived experience and sector expertise together helps us better understand the gaps to co-create solutions that reflect the realities of immigrant and refugee women.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed to the conversation and to our key partners Early Childhood Educators of BC, BC Policy Solutions, and RADIUS for helping make this work possible.

We look forward to our second Solutions Lab on October 7, as we continue learning, collaborating, and moving from shared understanding toward practical solutions.

09/24/2026

Looking for a job in Canada and ready to feel more confident about your next step?

Join PIRS' FREE 4-week Employment Workshop Circles, designed for newcomer women who want practical support navigating the Canadian job market.

Strengthen your resume and job-search skills, prepare for interviews, access employment resources and connect with others in a supportive environment.

đź’» 3 online sessions + 1 in-person session
📸 Get a FREE professional headshot
đź“… November 2, 9, 16 (online) & 23 (in person)
đź“Ť Final session: Civic Hotel, Surrey

Open to Permanent Residents, Protected Persons and Refugee Claimants.

Ready to take the next step? Register today! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zrFus8Z3mrkZ6HhqUSHouELrEOHJlHX3VwXDz1Vauac/viewform?edit_requested=true

For more information:
Permanent Residents & Protected Persons: [email protected] | 778-608-4388
Refugee Claimants: [email protected] | 778-608-4298

We gratefully acknowledge the support of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Province of BC for making this program possible.

A proud moment for PIRS!We were honoured to join the AMSSA community last night for their AGM, where we proudly celebrat...
09/18/2026

A proud moment for PIRS!

We were honoured to join the AMSSA community last night for their AGM, where we proudly celebrated our Executive Director, Mariam Bouchoutrouch, as the recipient of the 2026 AMSSA Transformative Leadership Award.

This recognition celebrates Mariam’s more than 30 years of leadership, advocacy, and service in the settlement sector, and her dedication to advancing opportunities for immigrant and refugee women and their families.

As PIRS celebrates 50 years of service, we are proud of Mariam’s leadership and grateful to our staff, partners, and community members who continue to strengthen this work through collective action.

Thank you, AMSSA, for this meaningful recognition and for bringing our sector together around our shared commitment to stronger, more inclusive communities.

Congratulations, Mariam, on this well-deserved honour and more than three decades of leadership and impact!

What if your next job opportunity started with a conversation instead of another online application? Join us at Childcar...
09/17/2026

What if your next job opportunity started with a conversation instead of another online application?

Join us at Childcare Connect: Networking & Hiring Event and meet childcare employers face-to-face. Ask questions, explore job opportunities, learn what employers are looking for, and make connections that can support your next career step.

📅 Tuesday, October 20 | 10 AM–1 PM
📍 Collingwood Neighbourhood House – Annex, Vancouver
🎟️ Free to attend

Open to Permanent Residents, Protected Persons & Refugee Claimants.

Ready to connect with childcare employers? Register today! 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaWUHoLuYIsqVYXkyGdjeRW40zgYfI9dHRstuPi0VRwIHvsw/viewform

📧 Questions? [email protected] |
đź“ž 778-608-4098

FREE childminding by Pop-Up Child Care will be provided for children ages 18 months–12 years, so you can enjoy the event, along with transportation support to make it easier to attend.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

As part of PIRS’ ongoing work to advance the findings of Building a Childcare System that Works for Immigrant and Refuge...
09/03/2026

As part of PIRS’ ongoing work to advance the findings of Building a Childcare System that Works for Immigrant and Refugee Women 2.0 report, Childcare Leadership Group member Amandeep Kaur recently met with MP Jake Sawatzky.

Together, they discussed barriers to ECE training, professional development, and career advancement for immigrant and refugee women, and why addressing them is important to strengthening Canada’s childcare workforce, supporting women’s economic participation, and ensuring valuable skills and expertise can contribute fully to our communities and economy.

This conversation marks another step in moving the work forward by bringing lived expertise and community-informed recommendations into dialogue with decision-makers and opening opportunities for collaboration.

Thank you, MP Jake Sawatzky, for engaging in this important conversation, and Amandeep Kaur for continuing to bring your experience, leadership and voice to the table.

When community knowledge and decision-making come together, we move closer to turning recommendations into action.

What if your next event could create impact beyond the event itself?PIRS' Pop-Up Child Care helps organizations make con...
08/31/2026

What if your next event could create impact beyond the event itself?

PIRS' Pop-Up Child Care helps organizations make conferences, training, and community events more accessible by providing on-site childminding for participating families.

But the impact goes further. Pop-Up also creates employment opportunities where newcomer women can build Canadian work experience, strengthen their skills and confidence, and grow within a supportive team.

One service. Impact for families, organizations, and newcomer women.

Planning an event? Learn how Pop-Up Child Care can support your organization here: pirs.bc.ca/pop-up-child-care/

What happens when women with lived experience of BC’s childcare system step inside one of the spaces where decisions abo...
08/26/2026

What happens when women with lived experience of BC’s childcare system step inside one of the spaces where decisions about that system are made?

They leave inspired, with deeper knowledge, stronger connections, and a greater understanding of how their voices and expertise can help shape change.

Participants from PIRS’ Building a Childcare System 2.0 and Inclusive Childcare for All 2.0 initiatives recently visited the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia to learn more about how provincial policy is shaped and how their lived and professional experience can contribute to that process.

This visit was a meaningful opportunity for participants to connect with other childcare professionals, exchange experiences and perspectives, strengthen their confidence in sharing their voices, and build relationships that can support future collaboration and advocacy.

At PIRS, we are committed to continue creating pathways for immigrant and refugee women to share, lead, and bring their expertise into conversations that can influence the systems affecting women, children, and families.

Thank you to Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) for making this work possible, and to our partners Oxfam Canada and Child Care Now for advancing this work alongside us.

Address

1874 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC
V5N2S7

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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