Questions and answers

Find a clear answer before you contact us.

Read the most common questions about support, privacy, membership and volunteering. The Q&A assistant uses these same answers.

01

Getting support and protecting your privacy

You can begin with very little personal information.

Can I ask for help without giving my real name?

Yes. Use any name you are comfortable with. The privacy notice explains how we handle the information you send.

Open the support form
What do I have to put in the support form?

Enter the name you want us to use, then choose at least one safe way we can actually reach you: email, phone, WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal. The message box is optional.

Start a support request
What happens after I send a support request?

We read your message and reply using the contact method you chose. We can then work out the next step with you.

Learn about our programs
Can the society respond to an emergency?

Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to life or safety. For another urgent crisis, contact the appropriate local crisis or emergency service. The website support form is for non-emergency requests.

Read the support page

02

Services

Our work connects practical settlement information, learning and community resources.

Who can ask the society for support?

We aim to support immigrants, refugees, refugee claimants and people displaced by war, persecution, violence, disaster or another humanitarian crisis who need settlement support in Canada. If you are unsure whether your situation fits, you may still send a brief support request.

Ask for support
What kinds of support does the society provide?

Our scope includes settlement information and referrals, food and essential-needs pathways, housing information, language and everyday learning, digital and job skills, and public education about rights and access to justice. Contact us for current schedules and availability.

See all program areas

03

Membership

Membership is about governing the society. It is separate from receiving support.

Do I have to become a member to get help?

No. Membership is separate from support. You can ask for help without becoming a member or volunteer.

Go to the support form
What can a member do, and what are the responsibilities?

A voting member in good standing who attends a general meeting may vote on society business and elect directors. The B.C. Model Bylaws do not provide for proxy voting. Members must follow the constitution and bylaws, support the society's purposes, and keep the contact information used for notices current.

What information is required for a membership application?

Your name and email are enough to apply. The Board reviews the application and contacts you by email. The privacy notice explains the member register.

04

Volunteering, contact and the Q&A assistant

We ask for information in stages and only for a clear purpose.

What information do I need to volunteer?

Enter the name you want us to use, your email address and a phone number. You may also tell us why you want to volunteer. We review the application first. If we accept it, we will ask you to create or sign in to your account and confirm your volunteer profile. Current opportunities are for people aged 19 or older.

Apply to volunteer
Which languages can I use to contact the society?

You may write to us in English, French or Traditional Chinese.

Contact the society
Does the Q&A assistant save my conversation or send it to an AI company?

No. This temporary Q&A assistant matches your question to answers published on this website. It does not use a generative AI provider, email the conversation or create a chat-transcript database. Cloudflare processes the request so the answer can be returned. Ask general questions only and do not enter names or other personal details.

Read the privacy notice

Still need help?

Send us a short message.

The support form asks for a name and at least one safe way we can reach you. Add a message if you want.