Programs

The goal of IRCOM’s After School Program is to assist newcomer children and youth to positively integrate into their new environment in Canada.

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After School Programs

After School Program is open to all children ages 6-12 and youth under 19, or under 21 if still in school. You don’t have to live at IRCOM for your children to attend program. To register your children, contact ASP Managers Mathew or Gololcha at 204-943-8765 ex 251 or come to one of our two buildings at 95 Ellen St. or 215 Isabel St. If you are coming to the building, the afternoon is best.

Our motivation is to provide opportunities for newcomer children and youth that will allow them to harness their potential, develop leadership and set goals for their futures.

Objectives of the IRCOM After School Programs:

  • EDUCATION: To provide educational activities like literacy and homework support in order to assist newcomer children and youth in cultural adaptation and language;
  • RECREATION: To provide stimulating and active recreational activities for children and youth which will promote the values of cooperation, non-violence and cross-cultural communication
  • EMPOWERMENT: To create a ‘space’ where self-esteem, recognition and appreciation for self, other and the environment can be learned and practiced
  • OUTREACH: To expose children and youth to the different service providers, opportunities, cross-cultural scenarios and types of activities that exist in their neighbourhood through outreach and collaboration with other agencies
  • PREVENTION: To keep youth away from high risk activities such as gangs, violence and substance abuse by providing positive mentorship and engaging activities

In addition to after school programming IRCOM also runs programs throughout the summer including overnight camping trips in partnership with other organizations in Manitoba.

IRCOM offers programming for children ages 6-12 five times a week (from 4pm to 6pm). There is a different activity every day of the week. Some of the activities include:

  • Variety Program: outings such as bowling, roller skating, cinema, Sky Zone, Children’s Museum, Manitoba Museum, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Zoo, BBQs in Assiniboine park, swimming, and much more.
  • Family Program: parents and their children come together. Families meet new friends,share and learn songs, and create their own photo book.
  • Arts and Crafts: a great opportunity for kids to let their creative sides out, get messy and have some fun.  They do anything from drawing and illustration exercises, to crafts such as puppet making and summer outdoor crafts.
  • Literacy Program: a space to practice reading and writing skills. Kids spend half of the program reading with staff and volunteers, and the rest is focused on fun, engaging literacy activities. We work with schools in the Winnipeg School Division to support their literacy goals and use the same assessment program.
  • Sports: an opportunity to have fun and develop passion for sports including soccer, hockey, and basketball.

IRCOM’s Youth Employment Program was created to improve the lives of newcomer youth and their families, build stability in our inner-city neighbourhoods, and help sustain a vibrant local community and economy. The goal of Employment Program is to build employability skills and knowledge for newcomer youth ages 14-21 through intensive pre-employment training, volunteer placements, and wrap-around educational, social and recreational supports. Employment Program collaborates with multiple partners to offer various paid employment/internship opportunities throughout the year for program participants.

The program delivers ten weeks of research-based workshops and community volunteer opportunities, covering these topics:

  • Resume/cover letter writing
  • Workplace behaviour
  • Job search skills
  • Interview skills
  • Hidden job market
  • Young workers’ rights
  • Workplace safety
  • Financial planning
  • Social media skills
  • Job and volunteer placements

Homework and Education for Youth (HEY) Program is a drop-in homework club where youth come to do their homework, help their friends with their homework, or get help from staff and volunteers. Youth have the opportunity to be paired with a mentor for the school year in order to receive more extensive social and educational supports. HEY is run by a Teacher and School Liaison and two educational assistants who also help liaison with schools and other community organizations to promote education for youth.

HEY runs Monday-Thursday from 4:00-8:00 pm and Friday from 4:00-6:00 pm during the school year.

IRCOM runs programming for youth ages 13-18 five days a week (from 7pm to 9pm) with a variety of activities that are fun, empowering, and recreational. The content of our programs vary from season to season but often include:

  • Variety Night: where youth participate in a variety of outings and activities including video game nights, movies, bowling, competitions, Skyzone, YMCA, tobogganing, games nights, workshops, BBQs and parks.
  • Cooking Night: where youth learn about nutrition, food sourcing and industry as well as how to use readily available ingredients to make healthy dishes.
  • Leadership Program: where youth learn about philanthropy, youth rights, advocacy, educational and social challenges as well as many current issues. The leadership group participates in several youth advisory committees and are members of Youth in Philanthropy (YIP).
  • Girls’/Boys’ Night: an evening that provides a safe space where girls and boys can share, talk with positive role models and have fun!
  • Sports Teams: opportunities for youth to build positive relationships and self-esteem through sport.
  • Speciality programs: based on youth interests. In the past this has included filmmaking, drama, hip hop, and other activities. Specialty programs are usually run in partnership with other organizations.

IRCOM is a member in good standing of the Youth Agencies Alliance and participates in its programming. This includes the Rotary Leadership Circle Program, summer camps and other collective programs.


All Programs

Volunteer & Community Services Program

Common Ground, Stronger Voices

Asset & Capacity Building Programs

Child Care Program

Community Resource Program

Greening Program

Newcomer Literacy Initiative

Early Childhood Development Hub

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