30 September 2019, Calgary – The Philippine Consulate General (PCG), in partnership with the Okotoks Fil-Can Society,
organized a Community Forum in Okotoks, Alberta on 28 September 2019.
The community forum was held to make the
Filipinos in Okotoks aware of the various social services available to them in
their town. As of 2016, Okotoks had a population of about 29,000, around 785
(2.7%) of them were Filipinos.
Ms. Nancy Risdon talked about the services
that Foothills Community Immigration Services (FCIS) extends to newly-arrived
immigrants. Newly-arrived Filipinos in Okotoks can apply for settlement
services and temporary foreign worker support from the FCIS.
Ms. Sherri Mulen of Okotoks Family Resource
Center (OFRC) explained the social services available for all residents of
Okotoks. These services include; a) community
access programs, such as subsidized taxi service, for senior citizens over 60
years old and persons with disabilities; b) training and community education
around elder abuse; and c) financial support programs, such as recreation fee
assistance, referrals to food bank, baby supplies village and summer camp.