Our Mission, Values & History
About OCCSC
The Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre (OCCSC) was founded in December 1975 and incorporated on 1976-Nov-19, by local Chinese Canadians.
Our Mission
The Ottawa Chinese Community Centre is a non-profit, non-partisan, charitable organization that provides programs and services to advance the social, cultural and economic integration and participation of all newcomers, immigrants, refugees, as well as people of Chinese heritage.
Our Values
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Respect & Professionalism
Commitment to Our Community & Partnerships
Strategic Directions
Service Excellence
Maintain & build your current services while adapting to changing client needs.
- Build on our current services to provide additional support to clients
- Adapt services to changing client needs
- Implement hybrid service delivery models
- Maintain partnerships to ensure services meet client needs
Financial Resiliency
Ensure financial sustainability & diversified funding sources.
- Maintain IRCC funded contracts
- Diversify our funding sources
- Explore innovative funding strategies
- Develop / enhance fundraising capacity
Communication & Brand Recognition
Build recognition to ensure we meet the needs of the community.
- Effective communication with our clients and community
- Consistent brand messaging
- Timely & effective internal communication
- Increase our memberships
Organizational Excellence
Ensure a sustainable infrastructure that supports organizational excellence to achieve our mission.
- Implement HR policies & practices that meet the needs of our staff and attract & retain the talent we need
- Ensure IT infrastructure that supports excellence in service delivery, data and efficiency
- Ensure our government evolves with the organization and our community
Our History
The Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre (OCCSC), established in December 1975 and incorporated in November 1976 by local Chinese Canadians with a federal grant, addressed the social and integration needs of Chinese immigrants from rural Guangdong Province.
During the 1970s and 1980s, as more immigrants from Hong Kong and Vietnamese Chinese refugees arrived in Ottawa, demand for OCCSC’s services surged.
To meet these growing needs, OCCSC moved to 400 Cooper Street in 2016-April and modernized its programs.
Currently it’s service is inclusive and open to all immigrants and refugees.
OCCSC founded by 5 volunteers; established the settlement services for Chinese immigrants, registered as a non-profit, charitable organization.
Responded to Project 4000: assisted Vietnamese refugees with settlement issues in Ottawa.
Launched the Newcomer Settlement Program and Settlement Counselling Services.
Established English training for the Settlement Language program (SLP).
Launched the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program.
Implemented the Job Search Workshop Program.
Ms. Sharon Kan was hired as Executive Director.
Moved to 381 Kent Street to accommodate its expanding services & programs.
Started the childcare services.
Moved to 381 Kent Street to accommodate its expanding services & programs.
Started the childcare services.
Launched Enhanced Language Training (ELT) for IT Professionals.
Established Engaging Immigrant Seniors Project, partnership with JFS.
Launched Volunteer program.
Launched Volunteer program.
Launched the 1st National Employer Training and Mentorship Program - Maple, in partnership with Immigrant Services Society of BC and Immigrant Services Calgary.
Department of Employment Services was rebranded to International Talent Acquisition Centre in-TAC to better serve its diverse clientele and employers.
In-TAC received Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's "Best Workplace Integration" Award.
Launched In-TAC Pre-Arrival Program, providing settlement and employment services to new immigrants prior to their departure in Ottawa, Vancouver and Calgary, as well as 40 cities in China.
Moved to 400 Cooper Street to accommodate its expanding services & programs for more clients.
Initiated the Services for Syrian Refugees Program in response to the Syrian refugee crisis.
Launched In-TAC's 1st National Virtual Career Expo
Initiated the Services for Syrian Refugees Program in response to the Syrian refugee crisis.
Launched In-TAC's 1st National Virtual Career Expo
Recruited 150 volunteers to welcome the new Syrian families in celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary.
LINC Program got additional IRCC funding (for Syrian LINC) and then partnered with Algonquin College, who created 3 courses for Syrian refugees, that graduated 90 clients altogether (2017-2020).
LINC Program got additional IRCC funding (for Syrian LINC) and then partnered with Algonquin College, who created 3 courses for Syrian refugees, that graduated 90 clients altogether (2017-2020).
Launched the national training program The Advanced Literacy and Essential Skills in the Workplace (ALESWORK).
Established mental health services for Chinese community, partnership with SWCHC.
Launched Empower Women in IT project.
Launched Empower Women in IT project.
OCCSC launched its official WeChat public account.
OCCSC continued services online during the pandemic shut down, including settlement workshops, language, and employment training, and one-on-one services by phone and online.
Recruited volunteers, worked with OCMA to provide telephone orders and deliver groceries to isolated seniors.
In-TAC launched GO4IT for employed-led in-demand skill training and women IT teleworkers program.
Services for Syrian Refugee Program (SSRP) changed to Settlement Services for Middle Eastern Newcomers (SSMIN), offering its services to Arabic speaking Middle eastern immigrants and refugees.
Executive Director Sharon Kan retired and the new Executive Director Sharon Deng came on board.
Celebrating our 45th anniversary; organizing our first Virtual Fundraising Gala.
Celebrating our 45th anniversary; organizing our first Virtual Fundraising Gala.
