our services
Newcomer Services
Through our BC Newcomers Settlement Services we offer supports and services to support Newcomers to the community and in doing so provide them with a sense of community.
Newcomers can enjoy our weekly conversation circles, special events, settlement support, guest speakers, workshops and one-on-one tutoring or referral to Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes.
As a Legal Aid Community Partner we also provide resources and referrals that support Newcomers, including employment standard information, tenancy rights and referral to a lawyer or legal aid navigator for free legal help for refugee or deportation issues.
The Community Volunteer Program provides opportunity to further your connection to the community through volunteer placement and support.
“If you have a question, unsure of where to go, or just want a chance to sit and talk about your journey that brought you here, our door is open; each story heard allows us to better support others in the future,” says Alejandra Dagnino, program facilitator with EmpowerEd Support Services Society and a Canadian Citizen who came to Canada as a political refugee from Chile.
Child and Youth Services
EmpowerEd Support Services provides a range of services to support families.
Through our Fostering Literacy program we support school-age children who struggle with reading. Children practice and grow their reading skills with a trained tutor in a one-on-one setting, with the emphasis on making reading fun.
If your child struggles with reading, you are not alone; it is estimated that 25% of children struggle with reading at grade level. In addition, we support parents with workshops, resources and materials as needed! If you would like to learn more information about this program contact darla@empoweredhope.ca.
Our Community Volunteer Program, a Fraser Health Hope Health and Well Being initiative, works to place students interested in volunteering to gain additional credits or work experience that aligns with their goals. To learn more about this program contact roz@empoweredhope.ca.
Empowered Support Services Society, as a Legal Aid BC community, partner can assist you with information, resources and referrals to legal aid as it pertains to child and family support. Family Law legal help can provide a free lawyer to give you advice about parenting time, support and agreements.
If you are struggling with serious family issues where safety is at risk we can assist you with an application to a legal aid lawyer. If you require Child Protection legal assistance because the Ministry has put your child into care, or if you need assistance to address a social worker’s concerns about your children we can assist you with an application for legal aid. Contact alex@empoweredhope.ca to learn more.
Swetexel Preschool and Daycare is our social enterprise in partnership with Yale First Nation and Grace Baptist Church.
As an act of Truth and Reconciliation we bring 38 additional childcare spaces to our community. Our curriculum, developed in part in collaboration with Yale First Nation focuses on an outdoor and community learning style that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
If you are interested in registering your child please call our Daycare Manager at 604 869 1363 to set up a time to meet.
“Parenting is life long learning. Everyday as parents we shift and reassess as we attempt to navigate an increasingly digital world. As a parent I understand first hand the pain of watching your child struggle, to see them feel as though they are less than their peers. Literacy is critical to the world in which we live and our goal at EmpowerEd is to help families navigate an ever shifting world and achieve their goals,” says Darla Dickinson, executive director of EmpowerEd Support Services Society.
Adult Support and Services
Our Community Adult Literacy Program has been the foundation of our organization program since 2008. This program provides literacy workshops and services to adults that require support to move themselves forward.
At EmpowerEd we believe that “Literacy involves a continuum of learning [which enables] individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society,” UNESCO 21. Our motto of ‘Educate, Empower, Elevate’ is not just education in the classic sense, it is about knowing what supports, services and options are available to you to better achieve your goal.
Everyday we support adult learners with drop-in support, workshops, 1-1 tutoring support, and other support services. If you are looking for help to decipher a form to direct support, digital literacy, financial literacy or help with a specific course or program connect with us to gain additional support for you to achieve the steps towards your goals! Drop-In support is one of our most critical help networks; supporting clients in our ever-changing digital world where scams, threats, and access to false or misleading information can be as debilitating as connecting them with knowledge and a social network is empowering.
As a Legal Aid Community Partner we can help parents seeking Family Law Legal Support or Child Protection Issues. If you are facing criminal charges and have been charged with a crime you could qualify for legal aid. Contact us to learn more, or to schedule an appointment to apply for Legal Aid assistance.
Community Volunteer Program
We are also a Community Volunteer Income Tax Program and support seniors to file their income taxes through a volunteer led program.
Our Community Volunteer Program promotes community collaboration and belonging by:
- Connecting volunteers with organizations
- Welcoming those new to the community with a welcome pack with coupons and information from local businesses and organizations
- Hosting events
Volunteering and community attachment has been linked to significantly enhanced mental and physical health, with benefits like reduced depression, lower blood pressure, and increased social connectedness.
“I wish everyone could see the impact a volunteer can have on another person’s life”, says Roz Royce, Community Volunteer Coordinator at EmpowerEd Support Services. “And the best part is that it’s reciprocal! All the volunteers I’ve met have told me that they get as much out of volunteering as the person they are helping.
I love working in a place where the phrase “how can I help you?” isn’t an empty question, but a genuine desire to be of service to everyone.” If you want to find out more about connecting to your community through volunteering, call Roz at 604-860-0510 or email her at roz@empoweredhope.ca
