Social activities for newcomers and established Island residents

IRSA Women's Group

The Women's Group provides an opportunity for immigrant women to be social, make friends, practice language skills, and learn more about Canadian culture and other cultures. IRSA women staff and women volunteers host the Women's Group meetings which take place between one to five times a month, more often in winter. These events introduce newcomer women to community resources and family activities, and to established Canadian women who can become essential contacts or friends. Activities include potluck meals, health and fitness activities (dance, hiking, kayaking, Zumba), cooking, performances, clothing drives and giveaways, discussion groups, gardening, and seasonal celebrations. Each year members of the IRSA Women's Group are actively involved in volunteering and participating on the organizing committee of International Women's Day events in PEI.

IRSA Men's Group

The IRSA Men's Group organizes activities with the focus of bringing immigrant and established Island men together for informal relationship building and social activities. The activities which take place approximately quarterly are determined by an informal survey of the group and may include sporting events or opportunities to socialize over coffee. Each event is organized and attended by male IRSA staff and male volunteers. The social aspect of Men's Group activities enables participants to meet their peers, both newcomers and established Islanders, and share some aspects of their settlement experiences, interests, work life in PEI, as well as providing time to practice English language skills and to network.

Seniors' Social Integration Program

The Seniors' Social Integration Program addresses the challenge of isolation and promotes social integration for immigrant seniors (50+) with Canadian seniors through hands-on workshops and groups. Newcomers and Island seniors take workshops and classes together, exchange cultural knowledge, learn skills and make lasting social connections. This program creates opportunities for seniors to socialize and practice the language in a safe and supported atmosphere, and to learn skills which will ease adaptation to the new country and culture. Established Canadians of 50+ years of age benefit from exposure to a more culturally diverse peer group. Examples of previous sessions include visual arts, line-dancing, cooking, rug-hooking, story-telling, photography, financial literacy, stress management techniques, and so on. IRSA has established a robust partnership with the Seniors Active Living Centre which recruits seniors from the established host community and invites newcomer seniors to join in their programming.

Friday Friendship Hour Program

Friday Friendship Hour, as the name implies, is an hour-long get-together held most Fridays between November and May at various locations, frequently an immigrant entrepreneur's business, a café or a restaurant, to enhance networking opportunities. It is a chance for participants to meet, develop a community network, and to enjoy chatting and getting to know one another over some light refreshments. Music and other activities are sometimes a part of the mix, and the atmosphere is informal and focussed on socializing and making connections within the community. Whether you just immigrated, were born here, or moved from another province, you are welcome to come and make some new connections at this relaxed and informal event.

Other integration programming

Hosted by IRSA, newcomer social integration activities have evolved to better connect newcomers and established Islanders. An invitation to get out of the house and socialize in a low-pressure welcoming setting that can accommodate lower levels of English, particularly during Canadian winters, is a huge help for newcomers who may be experiencing isolation. Community partners also invite the participation of newcomers in activities and events that may include curling, basketball or hockey games, theatre, festivals, skiing, snowshoeing, and so on.

If you want to join any of these groups and activities, learn more about upcoming events, or find out more information, please contact us.

Look for contact information on the right side of the page