We support the integration and settlement of newcomers to Cochrane, as well as a celebration of heritage for all Albertans, newly arrived or settled here for generations.

Our Vision

We envision Cochrane as becoming a place where:

All newcomer-immigrants feel welcomed and included in the Cochrane and area community.

Our Mission

The four pillars of our organization are:

Connecting with newcomer-immigrants to understand identified needs.

Integrating newcomer-immigrants to Cochrane and area through warm referrals to local services.

Supporting the development of volunteers and leadership opportunities.

Celebrating ethnographic-cultural diversity through programs and events.

What We Do

We collaborate with Rocky View Immigrant Services (RVIS), Rocky View Wheatland Local Immigration Partnership (RVWLIP), and local community organizations to link newcomers and immigrants with essential resources and support.

We also prioritize "buying local" when organizing and hosting events like Culture Fest, Newcomer Welcome events, and Fundraisers. We are so fortunate to benefit from the generosity of local Cochrane businesses.

Our volunteer Board Directors, Ambassadors, and team of community volunteers are from diverse cultural backgrounds and help us celebrate multiculturalism in our community all year long.

Our staff team is comprised of a half-time Executive Director and a full-time Program Coordinator working together to achieve our mission, vision, and goals.

Our Programs

Newcomer Welcome Events: Held twice each year, in the spring and the fall, these events provide a space for newcomer-immigrants to connect directly with partner service agencies in Cochrane to identify supports that meet their needs.

Safe Space Program: Our Community Hub, located in Frank Wills Hall (405 – 1 St. E), offers a space for community building and cultural exchange. Send us an email if you would like to drop by! CISCcochrane@gmail.com

Cultural Cooking Series: Part of our Safe Space program, Cultural Cooking classes meet once/month to cook an international dish together. These events are FREE. Email for more information or to register: CISCcochrane@gmail.com

CultureFest: An annual celebration of cultural heritage and diversity! CultureFest is held each September and hosts booths and performances, celebrating the cultures represented in the Cochrane community.

Jingle Mingle: This annual event is held on Christmas Day, bringing together newcomer-immigrants and long-time residents so that everyone can be part of a community on Christmas Day.

Cochrane Newcomer Collaborative: CISC is proud to host the Cochrane Newcomer Collaborative - a shared space where ethnocultural groups, community members, partner agencies, and local businesses work together to strengthen our community’s capacity to welcome, support, and integrate newcomer-immigrants in Cochrane.

Meet and Connect: Schedule a one-to-one meet and greet with our Program Coordinator, Caroline, by sending an email to CISCcochrane@gmail.com