Mission Statement

We support newcomers, refugee claimants, and immigrants in finding the right community and successfully integrating into Canadian society. Canada is a multicultural country where people from diverse cultures and beliefs live together, with equal rights for all citizens. While integrating into a new culture can be challenging, the International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR), as a non-profit charity, is dedicated to assisting Farsi, Kurdish, and Turkish newcomers. All of our services are delivered through voluntary efforts.

Our services include, but are not limited to:

• Translation and Interpretation: We provide voluntary translation and interpretation services to newcomers, assisting them with various needs during their integration into the community.
• Banking & Financial Assistance: We help newcomers open bank accounts, repay federal loans for medical expenses, and arrange travel from transit countries to Canada.
• Government Services: We assist newcomers with applications for the BC Care Card (Medical Card) and Social Insurance Numbers.
• Accommodation & Transportation: We support newcomers in finding housing and purchasing vehicles.
• Education: We help children register for school and connect families with resources for ESL (English as a Second Language) and continuing education.
• Counseling & Referrals: We refer refugees and women to community resources, including shelters and marriage counselors. Additionally, we help individuals find libraries and enroll in ESL programs.
• Legal Support: We provide support letters for refugees to present in claimant courts, offer legal advice, refer individuals to Metro Vancouver’s legal aid services, and attend court sessions to testify and provide evidence to prevent deportation.
• Refugee Support: We guide refugees through the entire refugee process, helping with legal representation, preparing documentation, and completing forms.
• LGBTQ+ Support: We assist LGBTQ+ individuals by connecting them with counseling clinics and resources for transgender healthcare, including gender-affirming surgeries. We also offer support to individuals who have faced trauma and abuse in countries like Iran and Turkey and organize participation in events such as the Annual Gay Parade.
• Healthcare Access: We help individuals make medical appointments, including for doctors, mental health professionals, labs, and X-ray clinics, and provide interpretation during medical appointments.
• Government Navigation: We guide newcomers to the appropriate BC government departments for various services.
• Cultural Support: We offer free language classes for children who wish to learn their mother tongue.
• Community Engagement: We organize community events such as New Year celebrations to foster connections between newcomers, refugees, and the broader community.
• Information Sessions & Workshops: We offer monthly information sessions and workshops on important issues for newcomers and refugees, covering topics such as women’s rights, children’s rights, and LGBTQ+ rights.
• Fundraising & Advocacy: We participate in fundraising activities, including the Folk Festival in Victoria, BC, hosted by the Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria. Proceeds from these events support services for refugees and newcomers.
• International Support: We collaborate with the International Federation of Iranian Refugees to assist Iranian refugees in countries such as Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Afghanistan.