Abbreviation CCIS Type Nonprofit organization | Founder Margaret Chisholm Legal status Organization | |
 | ||
Formation 1981; 36 years ago (1981) Purpose Immigration & Refugee Services
Employment & Training Programs
Resettlement, Integration
Community Development & Senior Services
Family & Children's Services | ||
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society - CCIS is a nonprofit organization located in Calgary, Alberta. CCIS offers settlement and integration services to refugees and recent immigrants to Canada, in the Southern Alberta.
Contents
History
In 1981, a Calgary resident by the name of Margaret Chisholm saw the need to respond to the human toll of wars overseas and the influx of refugees into Canada. Together with a small group of volunteers, she started her humanitarian efforts in a church basement. Today, CCIS is a multi-denominational, multi-lingual organization with a staff of 200 paid employees and 1,500 volunteers.
CCIS Today
CCIS offers over 70 programs at six locations throughout Southern Alberta. Collectively, CCIS employees speak over 60 languages.
CCIS Divisions
Many of the services and programs provided to new Canadians are unique to Alberta and include such things as business, employment and training services, where newcomers can benefit from a wide variety of career workshops, English and computer training, trades and industry training. The community development and integration service offers assistance for seniors, builds community connections, offers legal workshops, and works with volunteers.
The CCIS family and children’s services programs include an accredited child care centre, family recreational programs, parenting classes and in-school programs. The CCIS resettlement and integration program provides airport reception, orientation, workshops and supportive counselling for those refugees who have left their homeland under challenging circumstances.
CCIS has also expanded into Brooks, Alberta and established the Brooks & County Immigration Services to offer community education, employment services, interpretation and translation assistance and community development.
Media
In 2016, the Margaret Chisholm Resettlement Centre in Calgary was the subject of a National Film Board of Canada documentary film, 19 Days. Written and directed by sisters Roda and Asha Siad, and produced by David Christensen, the film documents the first 19 days that refugees from Sudan, Burundi and Syria spend at the resettlement centre.