The Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC) is a community full of love, caring, and support. In this and future articles, we will inform readers of the non-profit organizations operating in the EIC facility in order to bring light to their many good deeds.

At the Edmonton Intercultural Centre (EIC), we are proud to be home to a diverse range of community organizations that embody inclusion, collaboration, and cultural understanding. Among them, the Multicultural Family Resource Society (MFRS) stands out as a vital force supporting newcomer families and helping them thrive in Edmonton. Since its founding in 2005, MFRS has worked to address the poverty, isolation, and systemic barriers many immigrant and refugee families face, while fostering a strong sense of belonging and wellbeing across cultures.

As a member tenant organization of EIC, MFRS enriches the our community through its collaborative approach and commitment to intercultural learning. The organization leads parent and youth programming that empowers families to build confidence, develop new skills, and connect meaningfully with others. As one staff member explains, “Our programs provide a place for participants to belong, to voice their concerns, and share hopes and dreams. It’s a place where they can feel safe and connected when language and cultural barriers make life challenging.” Through English classes, youth programs, adult groups, and parent-child initiatives, MFRS creates spaces where newcomers are not only supported but celebrated.

The English Classes at MFRS go beyond language learning: they help participants build confidence and friendships while strengthening their integration into the community. The MFRS’s Youth Programs give young people opportunities for leadership and community service, fostering civic engagement and resilience. Meanwhile, Individual Support Services use a cultural brokering model to guide vulnerable refugees through settlement, employment, and wellbeing challenges. Whether through Adult Groups that encourage social connection or Parent-Child Groups that nurture confidence across generations, MFRS demonstrates the power of community-based support to transform lives.

The story of MFRS began with a small group of parents from diverse backgrounds who came together to share the challenges of raising children between two cultures. What started as a parent-child program of 30 participants has grown into a vibrant organization now serving around 25,000 immigrant and refugee families each year. This incredible growth has been made possible through the dedication of staff and volunteers, alongside support from the City of Edmonton Family and Community Support Services; Edmonton Community Foundation; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; and the Edmonton Community Adult Learning Association.

The Edmonton Intercultural Centre is honoured to share our space with an organization whose work so perfectly aligns with our mission of intercultural understanding and community connection. To learn more or get involved with their programs, visit the Edmonton Intercultural Centre (9538 107th Avenue), the MFRS’s website (www.mfrsedmonton.ca) or contact MFRS directly at info@mfrsedmonton.org.

Information provided by the Edmonton Intercultural Centre.