Ken Inaba at an Immigrant Youth Outreach Program fair - Photo courtesy of Immigrant Youth Outreach Program

The Immigrant Youth Outreach Program (IYOP) supports immigrant and refugee youth aged 15 to 25 living in Surrey, North Delta and Langley.

IYOP provides free English as a second language services, skills workshops, and one-on-one counseling to prepare them for success in education and the workplace.

This program is unique among other similar initiatives due to its personalized approach to service, in which, in addition to participating in group activities, clients can work one-on-one with youth counselors, outreach workers, and certified ESL instructors to develop the language, workplace, and social skills necessary for a successful adjustment in Canada.

IYOP helps its clients with their English, life skills, resume writing, job interviews, adapting to the Canadian culture, and explaining the specifics of thriving in the diverse Canadian workplace.

“A unique aspect of the program is that we are able to build relationships with the youth and help them integrate,” explains Michelle Shaw, the program manager.

Shaw stresses the holistic nature of the program in which the clients are able to connect with their peers, and participate or even initiate social activities or excursions, fostering a true family-like environment.

Reena Grewal, an outreach counselor with the program, who works directly with clients, explains that a big part of IYOP’s raison d’etre is to ensure that immigrant youth live up to their full potential in Canada.

“Statistics show that if we can help immigrants within their first few years here, then we can really make a difference in their lives,” explains Grewal.

Grewal says that many newcomers settle for low-paying labour jobs or even welfare, and do not use their training from the home country because of the language difficulties or hurdles with converting their credentials.

The program’s eligibility is restricted to those who are within their first five years of arrival.

 “After the first few years, people may begin to feel discouraged and more likely to settle for whatever work they can find,” says Grewal.

Another unique aspect of the program is its one-on-one approach to ESL coaching, available free of charge to young newcomers.

“Students can make their own lesson schedule and take full advantage of private lessons,” says Vanessa Lee, an ESL instructor with IYOP.

“Our one-on-one approach and individually designed curriculum that is tailored to meeting each student’s needs, distinguishes itself from the rest of ESL programs out there.”

Even though IYOP is only in its third year of operation, the number of client success stories, such as that of Iman, is growing.

Iman joined IYOP five months after his arrival in Canada from Iran, and at the time could not respond to basic English greetings of “Hi” and “How are you?”

After only five months of studying ESL through the one-on-one program at IYOP, the teen was able to attend Queen Elizabeth Secondary School in Surrey where he is currently continuing his studies.

“Although my English is still not perfect, I feel so much more confident,” says Iman. “I can even make jokes in English and make people laugh!”

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For more information, please visit the IYOP website at www.pcrs.ca/iyop