PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Most events are free, with registration required for some. Please see details under each event.
Kusina: What to Expect When Going Through Family Court with YWCA
Navigating family court can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. Join this free legal information workshop led by YWCA BC Staff Lawyer Zain Abdulla and YWCA BC Paralegal Katherine Bounds for a practical, plain-language overview of what you can expect when going to family court.
This session will cover:
The different levels of court
Common types of family court proceedings
The roles of judges, lawyers, and court staff
How to prepare for a court appearance
What usually happens during a court hearing
While Kusina is rooted in Filipino values of care, community, and bayanihan, this space is open to everyone of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Created by Filipinos, for everyone, we welcome anyone looking for support, connection, resources, or community.
Hot meal will be provided.
Register in advance:
💻 Register using the QR code or click here
📞 Call: 778-623-2030 and leave a message
📧 Email: programs@filipinobc.com
🍲 Or register at the door (aliases welcome for those with precarious legal status).
Accessibility at Kusina: Family Law Series
We recognize that barriers such as transportation, childcare, food access, and communication can impact someone’s ability to participate. Kusina aims to create a welcoming and accessible space by offering:
Transportation Support: If transportation is a barrier to attending Kusina, please let our team know in advance so we can explore available support options. We have transit passes available.
Childcare Support: Children are always welcome at Kusina, and caregivers are responsible for supervising their own little ones during the sessions. If you would like. If childingminding would help you fully take part, an honorarium may be available to support you in arranging care that works for you and your family. Please contact our team ahead of time to discuss arrangements.
Food Allergies & Dietary Needs: Please communicate any food allergies, dietary restrictions, or accessibility needs at least 3 days before the event so we can make appropriate accommodations.
Language & Cultural Support: Kusina provides a culturally welcoming environment where participants can access resources, ask questions, and connect with community at their own comfort level. We want you to feel at home in the language you are most comfortable in. ASL interpretation and spoken language interpretation can be arranged with advance notice. We will do our best to make these arrangements, and the earlier we get notice, the better the chances of having these supports available.
To request accessibility support, please contact the Kusina team:
Either by calling: 778-623-2030 and leave a message
OR Email: programs@filipinobc.com
The program is funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia.
Kusina: Wills for Newcomers with Justice Education Society
Planning for the future is important, no matter your age or background. This free workshop is designed to help newcomers to British Columbia understand the basics of wills and why they matter. Learn how to protect your loved ones, your property, and your wishes with the right legal documents in place.
This session is ideal for newcomers to Canada who want to learn about the importance of making a will, how it works in BC, and how to ensure their assets and loved ones are taken care of in the future.
The workshop will be led by a legal educator from the Justice Education Society’s Public Legal Education team.
While Kusina is rooted in Filipino values of care, community, and bayanihan, this space is open to everyone of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Created by Filipinos, for everyone, we welcome anyone looking for support, connection, resources, or community.
Hot meal will be provided.
Register in advance:
💻 Register using the QR code or click here
📞 Call: 778-623-2030 and leave a message
📧 Email: programs@filipinobc.com
🍲 Or register at the door (aliases welcome for those with precarious legal status).
The program is funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia.
Kusina: Internationally Educated Health Professionals (ACCEP-IEHP) with S.U.C.C.E.S.S
📅 When: June 29, 2026 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM
📍 Where: Sunset Community Centre (6810 Main St - Multipurpose Room)
Worked in healthcare before coming to Canada?
Whether you’re a nurse, physician, pharmacist, dentist, physiotherapist, medical laboratory professional, healthcare aide, or another healthcare professional trained outside Canada, navigating the path toward working in your field can be challenging. Join us for a free information session with S.U.C.C.E.S.S. to learn about the Active Career Connect & Engagement Project for Internationally Educated Health Professionals (ACCEP-IEHP) and the supports available to help you continue your career journey in Canada.
Learn about:
✅ Subsidized work experience opportunities
✅ Financial support for employment-related expenses and training
✅ Career and employment readiness training
✅ Mentorship opportunities and study groups
✅ Mental health and wellness supports
✅ One-on-one guidance and support
This free workshop will be focused on internationally educated health professionals. The session will include an overview of available supports, eligibility requirements, employment pathways, and practical information for navigating the Canadian labour market.
While Kusina is rooted in Filipino values of care, community, and bayanihan, this space is open to everyone of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Created by Filipinos, for everyone, we welcome anyone looking for support, connection, resources, or community.
Hot meal will be provided.
✨ Registration Options:
- Register in advance:
💻 Register using the QR code or link in bio
📞 Call: 778-623-2030 and leave a message
📧 Email: programs@filipinobc.com
🍲 Or register at the door (aliases welcome for those with precarious legal status).
Have topic suggestions? Fill out our suggestion form here!
The program is funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia.
Kusina: Elder Abuse with Seniors First BC
📅 When: June 26, 2026 | 2:00 – 4:00 PM
📍 Where: 411 Seniors (3502 Fraser St.)
Social isolation can increase the risk of elder abuse, leaving many older adults vulnerable to financial, emotional, physical, and other forms of harm.
Join us for an important conversation on recognizing the signs of abuse, understanding risk factors, and learning how to stay connected and supported.
In collaboration with Seniors First BC, this Kusina will be focused on elder abuse awareness, prevention, and support for older adults, caregivers, family members, and community members. We will explore the connection between social isolation and abuse, common types of elder abuse and warning signs, risk factors, strategies for responding to concerns, and resources available to older adults and those supporting them.
While Kusina is rooted in Filipino values of care, community, and bayanihan, this space is open to everyone of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Created by Filipinos, for everyone, we welcome anyone looking for support, connection, resources, or community.
Hot meal will be provided.
Whether you're an older adult, supporting a loved one, working with seniors, or wanting to better understand these realities, all are welcome.
✨ Registration Options:
- Register in advance:
💻 Register using the QR code or link in bio
📞 Call: 778-623-2030 and leave a message
📧 Email: programs@filipinobc.com
🍲 Or register at the door (aliases welcome for those with precarious legal status).
Have topic suggestions? Fill out our suggestion form here!
The program is funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia.
Kusina: International Students and Post Grad Permanent Residency
📅 When: May 31, 2026 | 1:30 – 3:30 PM
📍 Where: Langara College - Library Study Space (100 W 49th Ave., Room L224)
Between school, work, immigration paperwork, rising costs of living, and uncertainty around the future, many international students and recent graduates are carrying a lot right now. This session is meant to create space for people to access information, ask questions, and connect with others in a supportive, community-centered environment.
Join us at Kusina for a free workshop focused on international students and post-graduate work permit holders. The session will include common challenges students and recent graduates face, available supports, and practical information on navigating systems in Canada.
While Kusina is rooted in Filipino values of care, community, and bayanihan, this space is open to everyone of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Created by Filipinos, for everyone, we welcome anyone looking for support, connection, resources, or community.
No one will be asked to share personal experiences in order to participate. You are welcome to come listen, ask questions, connect with others, or simply be in community. Food will be provided.
Whether you’re directly affected, supporting loved ones, or wanting to better understand these realities, all are welcome.
✨ Registration Options:
- Register in advance:
💻 Register using the QR code or link in bio
📞 Call: 778-623-2030 and leave a message
📧 Email: programs@filipinobc.com
🍲 Or register at the door (aliases welcome for those with precarious legal status).
Have topic suggestions? Fill out our suggestion form here!
The program is funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia.
Kusina: Know Your Rights as a Worker (with a focus on Closed Work Permit Holders, Live-In Caregivers, or those Out-of-Status)
📅 When: May 20, 2026 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
📍 Where: South Hill Education Centre (6010 Fraser St.) - Portable Classroom
Many workers carry stress, uncertainty, and difficult experiences at work and with immigration systems. This session is meant to offer information in a supportive, community-centered space where people can learn at their own pace and ask questions without judgment. ✊🏽
Facilitated by & in partnership with our friends at the Migrant Workers Centre, join us at Kusina for a free Know Your-Rights workshop for closed work permit holders, live-in caregivers, and community members who are out-of-status. Together, we’ll go over workplace rights, common challenges workers face, available supports, and pathways to getting help.
No one will be asked to share personal experiences in order to participate. You are welcome to come listen, ask questions, connect with others, or simply be in community. Food will be provided. 🫶🏽
Whether you’re directly affected, supporting loved ones, or wanting to better understand these realities, all are welcome.
✨ Registration Options:
- Register in advance:
💻 Register using the QR code or link in bio
📞 Call: 778-623-2030 and leave a message
📧 Email: programs@filipinobc.com
🍲 Or register at the door (aliases welcome for those with precarious legal status).
Have topic suggestions? Fill out our suggestion form here!
The program is funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia.
Envisioning Kusina
Kusina Relaunch: Community Envisioning Session
Date: Sunday, March 29th, 2026
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Location: Salvation Army - Boundless (3213 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5V 4B8)
Registration link.
Call: or by calling and leaving a message at 778-623-2030
Email: or by emailing programs@filipinobc.com
Registration is not required but appreciated to help us plan food and seating.
Kusina—meaning kitchen in Tagalog—is a community kitchen program for Temporary Foreign Workers, Live-In Caregivers, migrant workers, and their families. The program brings people together over a shared community meal while connecting participants with settlement services, social services, mental health supports, and legal aid.
Kusina is facilitated by former Live-In Caregivers, with services provided by settlement and social service workers, as well as mental health professionals. Workshops are also led by partner community organizations to help participants understand their rights, access resources, and support their overall well-being while building community.
This gathering will be an envisioning session to relaunch Kusina. We are inviting community members to share their experiences, ideas, and priorities to help shape future Kusina gatherings. Together, we will explore what topics, supports, and formats would be most meaningful for Filipino migrant workers, caregivers, and families.
Join us for a warm meal, conversation, and connection with community supports while helping guide the next chapter of Kusina.
What to Expect
A shared community meal
Conversation and connection with other community members
Opportunities to share ideas for future Kusina workshops
Information about settlement services, legal supports and community resources
A welcoming space facilitated by community members