ca programs

In 1987, Mr. Charan Gill and seven other community workers in the Lower Mainland pitched in $10 each to create a new organization that promoted harmony and intercultural understanding to build a healthy and just society for all.

35 years later, Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) continues to help new immigrants, seniors, farm workers, women and youth from its head office in Surrey, and also satellite services in Vancouver, Victoria, Prince George, Abbotsford and other Lower Mainland locations.

Mr. Charan Gill founded Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) in 1987 with seven other community workers in the Lower Mainland.

Youth at the opening of the Rainbow Community Health Cooperative in 1997.

In the very early days PICS focused on farm workers’ rights, especially among Indo-Canadians. But their services quickly expanded to include many other groups — through 35 years they’ve continued to identify gaps and devised programs to serve those in need.

“PICS is proud of the support we’ve provided to many Canadians over the last 35 years, and the strong relationships we’ve established with other community service providers, businesses, governments, media and other stakeholders,” says Satbir Singh Cheema, CEO of PICS.

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PICS began with a focus on farm workers’ rights, and has since expanded to help many other social causes.

Progressive Intercultural Community Services

• Employment Programs: Foreign credential recognition; trades training (agriculture, transportation, construction, public works and more); skills training for youth, survivors of domestic violence, anti-gang families and more. Explore services at pics.bc.ca/programs/employment.
• Language, Settlement and Social Programs: Assisting newcomers and temporary migrant workers access services, receive training and get oriented in British Columbia, including free English classes, anti-racism