In the past few months some of the LINC classes explored warehouse work in Canada by volunteering at two local agencies: Material Resources at MCC Center and the Archway Community Services Food Bank Warehouse.

LINC students learn about volunteering as an effective way to practice their English, gain Canadian work experience and grow their network.

On July 9, classes in the evening LINC program participated in an interactive presentation on local wildlife, hosted by Elizabeth’s Wildlife Center Society (EWCS). EWCS community educator, Brenda Rost, brought many photographs and authentic props to display the vast array of wildlife the care center has been rehabilitating since Elizabeth Melnick founded the Abbotsford EWCS emergency clinic in 1986.

Learners in a CLB 3-4 class knew they were going to have a guest speaker come and teach them about crime prevention and safety on July 7th, but to their surprise, Nikki Reddemann, a female police officer with the Abbotsford Police Department, came to see them. Khalid wrote, “We were happy to see her. Because we knew today we will train about crime prevention and safety.”

Elder Josette Jim and Stó:lō Cultural Educator Sonny McHalsie led students through the old St. Mary’s Residential School in Mission, BC. The students also heard stories about Indigenous teachings regarding connections to earth and the spirit world.