Kusina (Tagalog for “kitchen”) is a community kitchen and free legal advocacy clinic that pairs shared Filipino meals with free legal advocacy, settlement support clinics, and social support services. It acts as a trusted entry point to vital resources, while also creating space for peer mentorship, community connection, and knowledge-sharing.

Serving community members in the Lower Mainland, including Temporary Foreign Workers, international students, caregivers, migrant workers, and their families. It also involves former caregivers, long-time residents, legal advocates, settlement workers, mental health professionals, social support providers, partner organizations, and volunteers who help facilitate the program.

Kusina gatherings take place twice a month and addresses isolation, barriers to accessing services, and gaps in culturally familiar support experienced by many migrant and immigrant workers. By gathering around food,  a familiar and welcoming entry point, the program helps people connect directly with trusted service providers, learn about their rights, share experiences, and receive follow-up support so no one slips through the cracks.

Gatherings include:

• A shared meal prepared in a community kitchen, sometimes by former caregivers in the network.

• A short presentation or workshop (20–25 minutes) led by legal experts, settlement staff, or community partners.

• Open conversation, peer mentorship, and resource sharing

• Follow-up support and referrals for participants who need ongoing assistance

Sessions are organized around themes such as immigration law, workers’ rights, tenancy, family law, benefits, senior issues, and gender-based violence awareness, often tied to key community dates or emerging policy changes.

The Filipino BC team coordinates partners, volunteers, setup, food safety, and cleanup, ensuring compliance with FoodSafe and facility protocols.

The program is generously funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia.

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