Business Details
49 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Immigrant Settlement Services in Calgary
For over 40 years, Immigrant Services Calgary has been an integral part of the Calgary community, working to make a meaningful difference in the lives of newcomers. Through our work, we ensure that families and individuals have the support they need to begin a new chapter of their lives in Canada successfully. We continually innovate in our work, reimagining and transforming the newcomer experience to make it easier to connect with services and support in the best way for our clients. We work collaboratively with governments, organizations, community members, and our fellow agencies to help immigrants and refugees build thriving lives in the Calgary community.Our Vision Unleashing the economic, social, and civic potential of clients. Our Mission Connecting newcomers to the right service at the right agency every time. Our Values We are forward-thinking, adaptable, and optimistic. We value accountability, collaboration, and impactfulness. We act with integrity and treat people with respect. Our compassionate, dedicated, and diverse board of directors, staff, and volunteers focus on helping newcomers create their best lives in their new community.
Services
Language Testing
Job Support
Legal Clinics
Citizenship Classes
Interpretation Services
Family Programs
Volunteer Opportunities
Workshops
Community Referrals
Accreditation Guidance
Details
- Year established: 1977
Highlights and features
- We have over 40 years of experience in immigrant settlement services.
- We collaborate with 90+ partners to deliver comprehensive support.
- We offer free language assessments and legal clinics for newcomers.
- Our Gateway program creates personalized settlement plans for clients.
- We provide employment counseling and job market preparation programs.
What people say
Excellent services
Made things easy
Helped settle successfully
Compassionate team
Free legal support
Services
Language Testing
We provide free language assessments for permanent residents and refugees to determine English or French proficiency. Our certified tests help newcomers access language classes, employment programs, and credential recognition services. Assessments follow standardized benchmarks and include personalized referrals to improve language skills.
Job Support
Our Gateway Planners offer one-on-one career counseling to help immigrants navigate the Canadian job market. Services include resume building, interview preparation, and connecting clients with local employers. We also provide workplace culture training and rights education for newcomers.
Legal Clinics
In partnership with Calgary Legal Guidance, we offer free monthly legal consultations for family and immigration issues. Sessions are conducted by professional volunteer lawyers and include interpretation services. Clinics help low-income residents understand their legal rights and immigration pathways.
Citizenship Classes
We deliver free workshops covering Canadian history, government, and responsibilities for citizenship applicants. Our three-module program follows official study guides and includes practice quizzes to prepare clients for the citizenship test.
Interpretation Services
We provide professional interpreters in 85+ languages for medical, legal, and business appointments. Our certified interpreters facilitate communication between newcomers and service providers through in-person, virtual, or phone sessions.
People
Chandy Mung
Chair
Chandy Mung leads our board of directors with extensive community leadership experience. He focuses on strategic oversight and fiscal responsibility to maximize our impact for newcomers.
Alec Silenzi
First Vice Chair
Alec Silenzi contributes to governance policies and board effectiveness. His background in nonprofit management strengthens our organizational accountability and community engagement.
Anipa Jeyakumar
Second Vice Chair
Anipa Jeyakumar champions human resource development and ethical workplace practices. She ensures staff and volunteers deliver services with cultural competence.
Youguo Guan
Treasurer
Youguo Guan oversees financial stewardship and long-term economic health. His expertise ensures sustainable funding for programs serving over 10,000 newcomers annually.
Lisa Couillard
Secretary
Lisa Couillard maintains governance compliance and records. She coordinates board activities to align with our mission of connecting newcomers with essential services.
Questions
How do I book a free newcomer settlement appointment?
Call 403-265-1120, email us, or book online through our Gateway Planner system for a personalized settlement consultation.
What language testing options are available?
We offer free English and French assessments in-person and online for permanent residents, including CLBA and CLIC program qualifications.
Do you provide legal assistance for immigration cases?
Yes, our monthly legal clinics connect low-income residents with volunteer lawyers for family and immigration law consultations.
Are interpretation services available in multiple languages?
We provide professional interpreters in 85+ languages for medical, legal, and business appointments through various formats.
How can I prepare for Canadian citizenship?
Join our free three-module citizenship workshops covering government, history, and responsibilities, plus practice quizzes.