NEWCOMERS SETTLEMENT SERVICES
If you are a newcomer, immigrant or refugee in Canada, welcome! We are here to answer your questions and support your settlement and integration in your new community by providing the following services and support:
Settlement Services: Support with access to eligible benefits and adjusting to life in Canada
- Help with applying to all Canadian Federal and Provincial benefits (PR, SIN, MSP, IFH, CTB, GST/PST, LINC, Citizenship, Passport/Visa, Income Assistance, PWD, EI, B.C. Housing, banking, etc.)
- Basic language translation/interpretation services
- 1st language orientations to BC, and relevant information sessions and group workshops
- Food aid through referrals to community programs to help with the cost of living
- Apply for government and social support, language programs and referrals to other support centers in the Lower Mainland
Professional Support:
- Case management, and developing personal settlement plans for initial needs in Canada
- One on one or family counselling for emotional and social issues
- Accompaniment trip in the community for settlement tasks (within the recommendations of Health Authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic)
- Home-visits to support home life (with the recommendations by Health Authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic)
- Transitional life skills facilitation
- Referrals to specialized programs in the Lower Mainland
Long-Term Community Engagement and Social-Economic Integration:
- Volunteering and community involvement opportunities
- Employment services such as pre-employment readiness career planning, employment connections, resume writing, and connections with vocation training opportunities
- Youth Employment through three levels of leadership training, and building practical experience to enhance job-readiness skills
- Promoting and sharing your cultural values and experiences in contributing to an inclusive and multi-cultural Canada
Referrals to In-House Programs and Resources for all age groups:
Children, pre-teen, youth, seniors, family programs, volunteer opportunities, access to food security programs (as the Food hub during COID-19 pandemic), access to community grants, community development initiatives, seniors outreach/therapeutic activations programs, youth leadership, children pre-school/afterschool/day camps, school-age childcare, family drop-in programs, community kitchens, income-tax clinic, legal clinic, ESL conversation, adults literacy programs, and opportunities for community connections, inclusion and cultural celebrations.
Welcome to BC - Orientation for Newcomers
HOW TO CONTACT US:
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Mandarin (普通话） |
Persian (Farsi/Dari) – دری/فارسی |
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Name: Dali Qu Email: DaliQ@burnabynh.ca Tel: 236-877-2616 |
Name: Elham Vahabzadeh Email: elhamv@burnabynh.ca Tel: 236-877-2531 |
| Filipino / Pilipino | Spanish / español / Hispanic |
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Name: Blenn (Avelina) Dioces Email: AvelinaD@burnabynh.ca Tel: 236-889-4065 |
Name: Monica Tinajero Macarty Email: MonicaM@burnabynh.ca Tel: 236-878-9405 |
| Arabic / اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ | Spanish / español / Hispanic |
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Name: Mona Email: MonaA@burnabynh.ca Tel: 236-877-2517 |
Name: Ireri Rojo Email: IreriR@burnabynh.ca Tel: 604-396-6955 |
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| Youth Settlement |
Community Connection Coordinator |
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Name: Mona Email: MonaA@burnabynh.ca Tel: 236-877-2517 |
Name: Miguel Litonjua Email: MiguelL@burnabynh.ca Tel: 236-833-6515 |
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General Contact |
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Email: settlementprogram@burnabynh.ca South House Tel: 604-431-0400 North House Tel: 604-294-5444 Fax: 778-309-7897 (South House) |
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Literature Writing Program
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Saturdays (Nov 22, 29, Dec 6) | 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm | In person at South House (4460 Beresford St) |
Love writing? Join our free three-session literature writing series at BNH South House, where you’ll explore how stories work, understand key literary elements, analyze short texts, and practice creative writing. Sessions run Saturdays on November 22, 29, and December 6, 2025, from 2:30–4:00 PM. This program is funded by IRCC and is intended for permanent residents and convention refugees. For more information or to register, please contact Mona at monaa@burnabynh.ca.
See poster for details.
To register or learn more, please contact Mona at monaa@burnabynh.ca.
Finding Work in Canada: A Discussion for Newcomers Workshop
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November 20 | 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | In person at South House (4460 Beresford St) |
Crime Prevention Workshop
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December 4 | 12:30 pm – 1:30pm | In person at South House (4460 Beresford St) |
Join our Crime Prevention Workshop at BNH South House, led by the Burnaby Crime Prevention Team. Learn everyday safety tips and boost your emergency awareness, including how to avoid common scams, stay safe on transit and in public spaces, and get simple home and personal security tips. The workshop is on December 4, 2025, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, followed by the Newcomers Welcome Space from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM.
See poster for details.
For more information or to register, contact Miguel at MigueLL@burnabynh.ca.
Art Circle
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December 11 | 12:30 pm – 1:30pm | In person at South House (4460 Beresford St) |
Join our Art Circle for a fun and relaxing drawing and painting session. Explore your creativity, meet new people, and enjoy art together. No experience is needed, learn simple drawing techniques in a supportive environment and try activities like doodling, sketching, and guided art prompts. Connect with others, express yourself, and have fun. The session will be held on December 11, 2025, at BNH South House from 12:30–1:30 PM, followed by the Newcomers Welcome Space from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM.
See poster for details.
To register or for more information, contact Miguel at MigueLL@burnabynh.ca.
Opioid First Aid Training Workshop
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Dec 13 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm | In person at South House (4460 Beresford St) |
Have you participated in an opioid first aid training before? Join us to learn how to recognize the signs of opioid poisoning, understand how opioids and naloxone affect the body, learn what naloxone is and how it works, and how to respond to an opioid poisoning situation. The session will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 1:00–3:00 PM at BNH South House. Funded by IRCC, this program primarily supports permanent residents and convention refugees, while welcoming all community members.
My Small Business Program
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In person at South House (4460 Beresford St) |
Newcomer Youth Program
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In person at South House (4460 Beresford St) |
Are you a newcomer youth between the ages of 15 and 35? Join us in a fun and welcoming space to enjoy outdoor games, practice English, build career skills, and express yourself through creative art activities. It’s a great way to meet new people, connect, and grow in a supportive environment.
See attached poster for details.
For more information or to register, please contact Mona at MonaA@burnabynh.ca.
Newcomers Welcome Space
| Thursdays (Sep 11 – Dec 18) | 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm | In person at South House (4460 Beresford St) |
Looking to meet new people and feel more at home in the community?
Come by for a relaxed hangout with conversation, casual games, and warm drinks.
Whether you join an activity or just come to chat, it’s a great way to connect in a welcoming space made for newcomers.
See attached poster for details. For more information, please contact Miguel: MigueLL@burnabynh.ca.
Beginner English Conversation Circle for Farsi Speakers
| Thursdays | 9:00 am – 11:00 am | In person at South House (4460 Beresford St) |
See poster for details.
Intermediate English Conversation Circle
| Mondays | 9:30 am – 11:30 am | In person at South House (4460 Beresford St) |
Start practicing and building confidence in English with our Conversation Circle!
Engage in diverse topics about life in Canada, all in a friendly and welcoming environment. Connect with fellow newcomers and make new friends as you improve your language skills.
See poster for details.
Beginner English Conversation Circle
| Wednesdays | 3:30 am – 5:30 pm | In person at South House (4460 Beresford St) |
Start learning and speaking English with ease in our Beginner Conversation Circle!
Learn basic English words and phrases for everyday use, practice simple conversations in a relaxed and friendly setting, and enjoy a slow-paced, supportive environment that helps build your confidence.
See poster for details.
Family Place Drop-in
| Wednesdays | 9:30 am – 11:30 am | In person at South House (4460 Beresford St) |
This Family Drop-in program is for parents and caregivers with children 0-5 years. It provides a variety of opportunities for families to socialize, to have a safe and fun place to play and learn and to get parenting information.
Please see poster for more details.
We also provide family resources at the following link: www.burnabynh.ca/family-resources/.
The program is free for members. Find out how to become a member.
NEW Neighbours Podcast
Hosted by BNH’s Settlement & Integration Program, the New Neighbours Podcast provides a platform for newcomers to make their voices heard. Every month, we will be interviewing a community member about their experiences about life in Canada or any other topics they choose to speak about such as stories, life lessons, concerns, cultural knowledge, music or information you want to share with your community.
To become a guest on the podcast or for more information, get in touch with Miguel at MiguelL@burnabynh.ca. There is no experience needed.
Click either button below to access our New Neighbours podcast which highlights the voices of newcomers. Join us as we explore topics around newcomer stories, community-building, lifelong learning, and settlement-related topics.
Burnaby Neighbourhood House is a community driven and community funded agency located on the unceded territories of the Tsleil-Wauthuth (səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ), Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm), Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw) and Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) nations with a unique focus on neighbours supporting neighbours.