44-year-old woman missing
Stanley Cup Playoff etiquette
A sea can is not a shed
Senators reject field trip
'City within a city'
Searching landfill for woman
Israeli strike played down
Full Trump jury seated
World's largest election 
Lululemon cuts 100 jobs
Bitcoin's 'halving' arrives
Lawsuit over missing nuts
Warriors ready for Round 2
Kalamalka Bowl cancelled
Rockets live to fight on
Pulp Fiction turns 30
Chris Pratt injured in movie
My name is not Elaine
When Norbert Maertens moved to Canada from Belgium more than four decades ago, he had to find his own way to navigate life in his new country.
From trying to access government resources to filling out paperwork in a foreign language, Maertens experienced the hurdles facing new Canadian immigrants first-hand. So when he moved to North Okanagan four years ago and heard about the Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society (VDICSS), he knew what he had to do next. Maertens reached out to become a mentor for new immigrants in Vernon.
“When I immigrated to Canada 40 years ago, this program wasn’t available. I felt the problems and what was needed,” Maertens says. “For me being an immigrant also, mentoring helps me remember how I had to navigate through the system to find my own way. Now I can help make a shortcut for others.”
Launched in 1989, VDICSS seeks to be a catalyst for positive change as they work towards supporting newcomers to Canada and empowering them to be thriving members of the community. The non-profit supports immigrants through language and settlement services, employment services through a partnership with WorkBC, provides outreach support for temporary foreign workers and serves new skilled workers through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program.
And, if you ask the families that access VDICSS services, volunteers like Maertens are essential to the success of the VDICSS and their integration into the community.
“I feel that the VDICSS is a great bridge. It helps us navigate the information, all of which is very new for us,” Anna-Lee Kernan-Fourie says. “The possibilities now seem endless. Because of Norbert, we always learn something new about things going on in the community. It’s a very helpful program that helps bridge that gap.”
Kernan-Fourie moved to Vernon in March 2021 with her husband, Louis Jacobus Fourie, and their son. Originally from South Africa, Fourie was working on a farm in the United States when a job opportunity at Jealous Fruits put him and his family on a fast track to permanent residency through the RNIP program.
While Fourie spends long days working the farm, Maertens volunteers as a guide to help the family adjust to its new life in the North Okanagan by connecting it to resources and community events.
Funded by the Government of Canada through Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and the Province of British Columbia, RNIP empowers participants to integrate into their communities. After receiving a recommendation from the community, permanent residence status may be available within 12 months after applying through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
Xuan “Laura” Wei, a cleaning supervisor at Kiki Gardens, just received permanent residency for her family through the RNIP program. And, with the help of her VDICSS mentor, Wen Hsun “Annie” Luan, Wei is thrilled to learn more about her new home and continue to enjoy her new favourite beverage: the double-double.
“I hope the RNIP program will welcome more people who want to become Canadian with the help of VDICSS, like me,” Wei says. “Annie has been a great help for our family. She’s our mentor and the reason we know about the natural environment and culture here. Annie introduced Vernon to our family, and now our family is blending into Vernon well with her help.”
Originally from Taiwan, Luan was connected to the non-profit seven years ago when she enrolled in free English as a second language training. After moving through the course, Luan began volunteering as an interpreter and became a mentor for newcomers in March 2021.
Luan and Wei met via Zoom and quickly became friends.
“I really appreciate this opportunity to give back through VDICSS,” Luan says, adding that the partnership between the RNIP and VDICSS is a perfect match. “The program can bring more newcomers to Vernon, and the VDICSS can help them integrate into the community. Everyone wins.”
Fuelled by her family’s newfound permanent residency, Wei is excited for her family to set roots in the community.
“With Annie, our family has a friend in the community,” Wei says. “Now we can learn more about Vernon and enjoy our life here. Because of Annie, we’re growing to love our new home more and more.”
For more information about the RNIP, visit rnip-vernon-northok.ca or call 250-938-1066. To learn more about the VDICSS or to get involved as a volunteer, visit www.vdicss.org or call the non-profit at 250-542-4177.
This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
