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Connect ~ Flourish ~ Thrive

LSCSS Program

Similkameen Seasonal Workers

Program Overview

  • “Enhancing the experience of seasonal workers in the Similkameen region.”
  • Service Areas: Olalla, Hedley, Cawston, Keremeos.

Services Offered

  • Outreach Support:
  • Farm visits and on-site assistance.
  • Referrals to essential services: food, shelter, counseling, transportation.
  • Welcome Packages:
  • Safety gear and essential supplies.
  • Informational materials about the community and resources.
  • Emergency Assistance:
  • Provision of food and transportation during urgent situations.
  • Communication support for immediate needs.
  • Bicycle Lending Program: Free and eco-friendly transportation for workers.
  • Health System Navigation: Guidance to access medical services and health-related information.
  • Social Activities: Organizing events to foster connections among temporary foreign workers, employers, and community members.
  • Information Sharing: Disseminating relevant updates and resources to workers and employers.
  • Liaison Services: Mediating between workers and employers to ensure harmonious working relationships.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • SWP Support Volunteers:
  • Assist in organizing and executing events for seasonal workers.
  • Tasks include event setup, meal preparation, and distribution.
  • Commitment: Mostly Sunday evenings.
  • SWP Volunteer Drivers:
  • Provide transportation for seasonal workers to appointments, shopping trips, or SWP events.
  • Flexible scheduling based on volunteer availability.

Additional Resources 

  • BC Fruit Works: The program is designed to entice Canadians to work at BC orchards and vineyards as seasonal agricultural workers to enhance the availability of locally grown produce, support the Canadian farming community and make it easier for growers to find and hire Canadian workers.
  • South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services (SOICS): Offering English Language Training, Settlement Services, Employment Services, Community Connections, Life Skills Workshops, Local Immigration Partnership, Settlement and Integration, Citizenship Ceremonies.
  • Migrant Workers Centre organization dedicated to legal advocacy for migrant workers in BC. MWC facilitates access to justice for migrant workers through the provision of legal education, advice and full representation
  • AgSafe: strives to create a safe and healthy work environment in BC agriculture through outreach and an active program of education, training and consultation in all regions of the province. Agriculture in BC free from workplace injury, illness and death.

Acknowledgements:

  • The SWP is part of the BC Community Capacity Building Project through the MOSAIC Migrant Workers Program and DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, funded by the Government of Canada.
  • Services are available in English and Spanish to cater to diverse participants.

IN ENGLISH

The Similkameen Seasonal Workers Program aims to enhance the experience of seasonal workers in the Similkameen (Olalla, Hedley, Cawston, Keremeos) through:

  • Outreach (farm visits, onsite support, referrals to food/shelter/counselling/transportation services)
  • Welcome packages, including safety gear, supplies & information
  • Emergency support (food, transportation, communication)
  • Bicycle lending program
  • Health system navigation support
  • Social activities & networking events for TFWs, Employers & community members
  • Information-sharing
  • Liaising between TFWs & employers

Our program is part of the BC Community Capacity Building Project through the Mosaic Migrant Workers Program and is funded by the Government of Canada.

Services are available in English and Spanish.

EN ESPANOL

El Programa de Trabajadores Temporales en el Similkameen tiene como objetivo mejorar la experiencia de los trabajadores de temporada en el Similkamen (Olalla, Hedley, Cawston, Keremeos) mediante:

  • Servicios directos (visitas a las granjas, apoyo sobre el terreno, referencias a servicios de alimentación / refugio / asesoramiento / transporte)
  • Paquetes de bienvenida, incluyendo equipo de seguridad, suministros basicos, e información
  • Apoyo en situaciones de emergencia (comida, transporte, comunicación)
  • Programa de préstamo de bicicletas
  • Soporte de navegación del sistema de salud
  • Actividades sociales y eventos para conectar a trabajadores, empleadores y miembros de la comunidad
  • Compartir información
  • Enlaces entre TFWs y empleadores

Nuestro programa forma parte del BC Community Capacity Building Project a través del Programa de Trabajadores Migrantes de Mosaic y está financiado por el Gobierno del Canadá.

Nuestros servicios están disponibles en inglés y español.

Program Coordinator

Gabriela Pereira

Outreach Worker

David Haro

Office Details

Program Funders