Chilliwack will receive $116,000 in funding from the provincial government to deliver English language support programs to immigrants and refugees.

"This funding will support people that have immigrated or relocated to Chilliwack," Chilliwack MLA John Les said in a press release. "Giving people the tools to transition and adjust to Canadian society will help them quickly become strong, contributing members of the community."

The money is part of the English as a Second Language Settlement Assistance Program (ESLSAP) and will help the Chilliwack Learning Community Society, Agassiz-Harrison Community Services and Hope New Page Human Services deliver tutoring services.

ESLSAP is designed as a way to provide access to language support to recent immigrants and refugees in regional and more remote communities. Funding allows for a co-ordinator to recruit and provide standardized training to volunteer tutors and match those tutors with immigrants who want to improve their English language skills. Tutoring is focused on the learner's individual goals and functional language skills that can vary from reading a menu to functioning successfully in a workplace.

"Supporting people in their transition to our area will help them prosper economically and socially," said Chilliwack-Hope MLA Barry Penner. "This funding will help people and families become more inclusive, which helps Chilliwack become stronger and more vibrant."

Chilliwack's $116,000 is part of $1.6 million in funding to go to 42 service providers across B.C.

ESLSAP is one of the programs offered through WelcomeBC.

- Information on becoming an ESLSAP volunteer tutor can be found at www.mytrainingbc.ca/eslsap/recruitment.