Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees - VICCIR

10/11/2026

VICCIR's interpreters support clear, accurate, and culturally respectful communication between VICCIR clients and counsellors during mental-health counselling sessions.
The Interpreter is an essential member of the counsellor–interpreter team and helps clients express their experiences, emotions, needs, and concerns in the language most appropriate for their care.
Remuneration: $30 per session
To apply, or for more info, contact Adrienne Carter: [email protected]

10/05/2026

VICCIR's interpreters support clear, accurate, and culturally respectful communication between VICCIR clients and counsellors during mental-health counselling sessions.

The Interpreter is an essential member of the counsellor–interpreter team and helps clients express their experiences, emotions, needs, and concerns in the language most appropriate for their care.

Remuneration: $30 per session

To apply, or for more info, contact Adrienne Carter: [email protected]

10/03/2026

Please watch the short video below and help us continue to serve our refugee and immigrant clients. Any and all donations are gratefully accepted: https://www.viccir.org/donate

Thank you so much!

09/16/2026

Register now to express interest in becoming a Health and Cultural Ambassador with VICCIR

Are you looking for a volunteer position? Do you have academic or practical experience supporting others? Do you want to support immigrants and refugees in their transitions to life in Canada? Consider becoming a VICCIR Health and Cultural Ambassador!

VICCIR is excited to announce a new round of Health and Cultural Ambassador (HCA) training this Fall. On October 17th and 18th, from 10:00am to 5:00pm we will be welcoming new Ambassadors in their role as advocates for culturally-safe, accessible counselling services and psychoeducation.
Ambassadors play a critical role in the VICCIR model – reaching out to diverse cultural communities, providing psychoeducation, as well as assisting counselling clients with one-on-one support as needed.

If you or someone you know are interested in becoming an Ambassador, please head to the expression of interest form below for more information.

https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/5766QZC

09/05/2026

The Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees (VICCIR), in association with the Van Hanh Temple invites Vietnamese seniors to the Victoria Vietnamese Seniors (55+) Group. This group will be a space for building connections with other seniors, learning new skills, and embracing healthy aging. VICCIR staff and volunteers will provide information, activities, and a light lunch.

The session will last for two hours and will include time for conversation and reflection. Depending on the needs and desires of the group, future sessions will be held.

Participation is cost-free for all. We hope to see you on Saturday, the 12th between 11:00am and 1:00pm at the Van Hanh Temple: 933 Colville Rd Victoria, BC V9A 4P4.

08/05/2026

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

*Updated Sessions!*
The Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees invites you to Women’s Voices, a safe and confidential place where women who have experienced gender-based violence can meet, share, and support each other in a healing process.

VICCIR is offering a free, online support group starting on Tuesday, August 4th from 3:00pm-4:00pm and continuing for eight weeks.

Women’s Voices is a support group aimed at women who want a space to process their experiences related to gender-based violence and intergenerational trauma.

The sessions will be facilitated by registered clinical counsellors from VICCIR and will focus on strengthening resilience and promoting emotional well-being.

To register, scan the QR code on the poster, head to https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/Womens_Voices_, or email: [email protected]

06/23/2026

The Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees (VICCIR) invites you to a support group for Iranian post-secondary students. Living abroad during difficult moments can raise many complex emotions. This support group will provide you with the space to hear how others are managing and offer ideas and strategies to support your well-being.

This online session will be a safe, inclusive, and confidential place for all Iranian students to come together and process the challenges of the current moment. The group will be led by Dr. Shabnam Nobohar, an experienced clinical and Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and will be facilitated in Farsi. The session will last 60 minutes and will include time for conversation and reflection.

Depending on the needs and desires of the group, future sessions will be held. Participation is cost-free for all and requires a stable internet connection.

Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/P5XWMWF

06/19/2026

Big dreams, little hands, and lots of smiles! Over three weeks, kindergarten children in one of VICCIR's school-based programs explored what they love, treasure, and hope for through art. They created clay hearts, treasure boxes, and magic wands, sharing their ideas and imagination every step of the way. The joy and excitement they showed as they took their creations home was truly heartwarming. A special thank you to Miriam, one of VICCIR's wonderful art therapists, for helping nurture creativity, belonging, and hope in these young learners.

06/19/2026

This Saturday, 20th June - World Refugee Day! World Refugee Day is marked every year on June 20 to honor the courage, rights, and dignity of people forced to flee conflict and persecution around the world.

This World Refugee Day 2026, we pause to recognize the strength and resilience of refugees and displaced people worldwide, and to reaffirm the global call for safety, protection, and the chance to rebuild their lives.

VICCIR – The Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees – has been providing clinical mental health counselling to immigrants and refugees on Vancouver Island for 10 years, and we are only able to continue offering this critical, trauma-informed support thanks to the generosity of our donors.

World Refugee Day is marked every year on June 20 to honor the cour...