Since 1991, the Comox Valley Multicultural & Immigrant Support Society has been helping newcomers integrate into their new communities, and promoting diversity throughout the region.
The volunteer-driven, non-profit society — which until now has been operating without an office — has secured a space in the building at the corner of Sixth and England in downtown Courtenay.
“Many of the immigrants actually hide,” society president Jin Lin said. “They don’t go out. That’s the reason we keep CVMISS alive. We still think we are able to bring people together.”
The society relies on donations and small government grants to help pay for events and programming. It also bestows yearly grants to four graduating high school students.
Last month at the Filberg Centre, Lin said the turnout for the annual Lunar New Year celebration was bigger than ever, despite the unusually large amount of snow on the ground. She figures 500 to 600 people attended.
The society’s next big event is the multicultural festival on June 30.
“We work very closely with the July 1st advisory group,” Lin said.
For more information about the CVMISS, call (250) 898-9567 or email cvmiss@gmail.com.