Our Vision. Mission. History
Deliver programs and services designed to advance immigrants, migrants, refugees, visible minorities,
first-generation Canadians and their families in becoming full and equal members of Canadian society.
Our Vision
KIS recognizes its responsibility and role in the collective impact of ensuring Canada is a safe, supportive home for newcomers, and acknowledges that improved outcomes for newcomers strengthens the fabric of our communities socially, culturally and economically through the unique talents, perspectives and experiences that newcomers bring. As an experienced leader and service provider in settlement services, KIS is committed to promoting awareness of the contributions newcomers bring to Canada.
Locally, KIS is committed to positioning Kamloops to be a city of choice for immigrant newcomers by responding to emerging needs of new clients with innovative services and through its reach and influence, creating communities where immigrants feel safe and can fully integrate in all aspects of community and Canadian life. To that end, KIS will continue its collaborative structures and relationship-based approach to settlement services, enhancing acceptance and diversity within the community though collaboration, strategic partnership agreements, and MOUs for service delivery with multiple agencies. Facilitating multi-cultural collaborations will lead to proactively reframing the public debate and impact current and emerging policies in ways that advocate for social, political, economic and educational equity for newcomers.
To achieve this vision, KIS will develop organized actions to address issues facing newcomers and provide opportunities for community learning in order to advance multicultural awareness to help newcomers achieve social, political, economic, and educational equity. Ultimately, these efforts will promote the understanding of the unique cultural and ethnic heritage of newcomers and contribute to the development of a culturally responsible and responsive society.
Our Mission
Deliver programs and services designed to advance immigrants, migrants, refugees, visible minorities, first-generation Canadians and their families in becoming full and equal members of Canadian society. Advocate for settlement, integration and multicultural issues on a local, regional and national scale. Take actions to eliminate racism against immigrants and visible minorities. Raise awareness on the importance of immigration, multiculturalism and diversity in Canadian society. Promote respect and understanding in the elimination of barriers and challenges faced by immigrants, migrants, refugees and minorities.
Our History
In March 1980, the Kamloops Chinese Cultural Associations responded to the need for settlement assistance for the large numbers of South East Asian refugees who were arriving in Kamloops.
The Vietnamese and Immigrants’ Community Center was opened, with a staff of two. Many will remember this time as the arrival of the Boat People incident. In 1982, the Kamloops Chinese Cultural Associations had fulfilled their mandate for two years’ assistance. However, the need for services to immigrants from various backgrounds was evident. Thus, on January 20, 1982, KAMLOOPS-CARIBOO REGIONAL IMMIGRANT SOCIETY was incorporated as a non-profit society with the purpose of sponsoring an immigrant service agency. This agency was named “The Immigrants’ Community Centre”. In 1985, the agency was more appropriately re-named Kamloops
Immigrant Services. Programs and services are delivered through Kamloops Immigrant Services.