CIES Summer Festival 2016 - The Art of Henna

Henna Artist at Work at Last Year's CIES Summer Festival

This Year's CIES Summer Festival is coming soon, taking place at the ArtBOX on 17E on August 16th. The day will be filled with music, dance and activities and we will be highlighting some of what we have n store for you as we lead up to this great community event. To get us started there will be a Henna booth where anyone can get some free Henna art by genuine henna artists throughout the day.

The art of henna has been practiced for over 5000 years in Pakistan, India, Africa and the Middle East. There is some documentation that it is over 9000 years old.  Because henna has natural cooling properties, people of the desert, for centuries, have been using henna to cool down their bodies.  They make a paste of henna and soak their palms and soles of the feet in it to get an air conditioning affect.
They feel its cooling sensation throughout the body for as long as the henna stain remains on their skin.  Initially, as the stain faded away, it left patterns on the skin surface which led to ideas to make designs for decorative purposes.  In the ancient Egyptian times mummies wore henna designs and it is documented that Cleopatra herself used henna for decorative purposes.

Henna was not only a popular adornment for the rich but the poor, who could not afford jewellery, used it to decorate their bodies as well.It is traditionally used for special occasions like holidays, birthdays and weddings in Africa, Pakistan, India, and the Middle East.

More details of the 2016 CIES Summer Festival coming soon!

2016 Calgary Census Results

The City of Calgary recently released its census and as always it makes for some interesting reading. That said, the importance of a city like Calgary sending the time, effort and money to complete a census cannot be overstated. The census is most definitely important. Our whole representative democracy is based on it, as it ensures that each community gets the right number of representatives in government." Because representation is based on population, an up-to-date tally is essential.

The census also helps with the equitable distribution of public funds, for things like educational programs, healthcare, law enforcement and highways as the equitably distributing the tax dollars requires up-to-date population data. The information provided can also help lawmakers design new legislation, while being of interest to marketing companies and political groups. In broad terms, the census helps us see how our city is changing.

And it is for this reason that the Calgary Census Bureau was nothing if not persistent! To download a full copy of the 2016 Calgary Census Results Book simply CLICK HERE.

Literacy & Basic English @ CIES

Specifically designed to help adult immigrants who have extremely low to non-literate language skills acquire the basic essentials required for learning English, this program works to minimise the language-learning obstacles experienced by some individuals and prepare them for basic conversation of the English alphabet and words.

This program focuses on improving participants’ self-esteem and confidence when using the English language. CIES currently offers morning and afternoon Literacy and Basic English classes. The goal of this program is to introduce the basics of the English language to low-literacy participants and minimise language-learning obstacles.

This free program is open to permanent residents, refugees and unlike many of our programs even Canadian citizens, helps adult learners develop basic literacy skills and learning strategies which prepare them for future ESL study, such as our LINC and Drop-In ESL programs. The classes are taught by encouraging and positive instructors who create a hands-on learning environment for all students. The classes extend over a course of 10 weeks with over 100 hours of classroom instructional time.

Pho Down 2016

The Pho Down had an amazing turnout on Saturday as over 600 people got their Pho Down! This was an incredible event that would not have been possible without the support of the students, teachers, and staff at CIES.  Thank you everyone for participating, or volunteering to make this a success. Together we showed we could have a positive effect on our community and city. The students did outstanding work both before the event and during.

A special thanks to Mayor Nenshi, Cllr. Chabot, Cllr.Carra, and MLA Luff for their kinds words and support and to CIES Executive Director Dr Sally Zhao for her faith in the project. What a great learning experience. We have a lot to talk about and to work on for next year. Come Pho Down 2017!!!

CIES Partners with Women in Need Society

CIES is pleased to announce that we have become a partner with Women in Need Society (WINS). Practicing social good since 1992, WINS is an environmentally conscious non-profit organization dedicated to the repurposing, upcycling and recycling gently used items into social good. When you choose to recycle your gently used household items and clothing by donating to WINS you are making a difference in the wellbeing and health of our community.

 As a not-for-profit thrift retailer WINS repurposes gently used items for social good plus 75% of the revenue generated through WINS thrift stores goes directly into supporting vital programs.

The purpose of our partnership with WINS  is to promote access of basic needs for economically challenged women and their families. WINS offers free clothing, household items and furniture to women referred by CIES. CIES will do a needs assessment to determine client eligibility and fit for the Free Goods and Service Referral Program (FGRP).   Through this program,  clients can get coupons to receive clothing, household items and furniture from WINS locations in Dover, Fisher Park, Bowness and Richmond. For details on how CIES can help you find out if you are eligible, contact us at either of our locations - NE 403-291-0002 - SE 403-235-3666.. For more information about the Women in Need Society and to find our how you can contribute, visit their website.  

CIES Expansion Continues

As 2016 moves forward so does CIES with further expansion to our LINC department. With an additional thirteen Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes, CIES now offers 69 LINC classes across two locations.

We have been proud to serve the community of Calgary for nearly three decades and with two bustling and up to date centres on both sides of the city open 7 days a week, we look forward to three decades more. And we will do so carrying forth the same goal that has been there from day one - to provide Calgary immigrants and economically disadvantaged individuals with a solid foothold and afford them the opportunities to grow into productive, confident and contributive Canadians.  To watch the CIES Board of Directors President give a brief history of our Society click the video below.

CIES @ The Calgary Stampede

Yesterday marked the final day of the 2016 Calgary Stampede and as is always the case with the greatest outdoor show on earth, a great time was had by all who entered the grounds. 

Upon receiving an invitation from Centre for Newcomers, CIES joined Immigrant Services Calgary, the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth, The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society and the Calgary Immigrant Woman's Association for a group VIP tour of the Stampede facilities. Access to the infield, the Agri Centre, a tour of the new First Nation's Village and more was on the agenda for what was a unique and enjoyable day at the Stampede grounds.  Once again a special thanks to CFN SEO Anila Lee-Yuen for asking us to come along! 

The day was also a great opportunity for our city's immigration serving agencies to get together and connect, as the collaboration and partnership of all our organizations only works to better serve our community.  For more pictures of our day at the grounds CLICK HERE.