Championing Change: 2024 Year in Review

By Guangke Dai, Communications Officer

As 2024 comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the progress and connections we’ve made together this year. In this 2024 Year in Review, we share the milestones and moments that were made possible through the support of our donors, partners, volunteers, and staff. Together, we worked to help newcomers find opportunities, strengthen communities, and build a more inclusive society. Here’s what we accomplished together.

Opening New Doors

Creating spaces, breaking barriers, and paving pathways—2024 was a year of meaningful beginnings.

• In March, we proudly opened the Burnaby Language Centre at Metropolis at Metrotown, giving more newcomers in the region access to language and settlement services in a central, welcoming space.
• We expanded opportunities for civic engagement through the launch of the Civic Opportunities for Newcomers: Networking and Engaging Communities Together (CONNECT) program, fostering intercultural understanding and equitable participation in Canadian society.
• On June 13, we celebrated achievements at the MOSAIC Awards Ceremony, recognizing 13 remarkable individuals and organizations and awarding $44,000 in scholarships to support the educational goals of immigrants and refugees.
• After years of advocacy, we were happy to see the BC International Credential Recognition Act came into effect on July 1. This landmark legislation reduces barriers for skilled immigrants, enabling them to have their credentials recognized and contribute their talents to British Columbia’s workforce.

Sparking Conversations

Change often begins with conversations. This year, we brought forward stories that inspire awareness, understanding, and action.

• Following months of research, consultation, and drafting, our Metro Vancouver Refugee Readiness Team released a comprehensive healthcare resource guide to simplify access to British Columbia’s complex healthcare system, supporting both newcomers and service providers.
• On March 13, MOSAIC’s Seniors Club premiered the thought-provoking musical “Seniors Take On Things We Never Talk About” at the Michael J. Fox Theatre. This bold production tackled the often-overlooked issue of senior abuse to ignite meaningful conversations and raise awareness.
• In partnership with the University of Victoria, we released the “Beyond the First Job: A British Columbia Study of Immigrants’ Career Ascension Into Top Leadership Teams“. This study highlights the barriers immigrants face in reaching senior leadership roles and offers solutions for businesses to better leverage immigrant talent.
• Supported by the WES Mariam Assefa Fund, our report “Using Disaggregated Data to Address Systemic Discrimination Experienced by International Medical Graduates (IMGs)” highlights the barriers IMGs face in Canada’s healthcare system. It examines how factors such as race, age, and country of origin affect licensure outcomes and provides actionable recommendations to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in medical licensure.

Building Connections

At the heart of every opportunity is connection. Through innovation, collaboration, and events, MOSAIC created pathways to brighter futures.

• In May, the 12th Annual Job Fair connected thousands of newcomers together with employers, leading to immediate job opportunities.
• The Canadian Work Experience Internship Pilot Program (WorkXP) concluded in July, marking the end of a highly impactful initiative. Since its inception, the program has matched 119 participants with meaningful internships across various industries, each lasting a minimum of 400 hours.
• On November 2, over 200 immigrant professionals gathered for the 14th Immigrant Professionals Conference to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance career development, providing actionable insights, practical tools, and fresh perspectives.
• Later in November, we piloted the Talent Match Fair, a reverse job fair that gave 25 motivated participants a unique platform to showcase their skills directly to employers, redefining how talent and opportunity meet.

Celebrating Excellence

In 2024, we honoured the achievements of people and teams whose dedication made a lasting impact.

• MOSAIC CEO Olga Stachova received the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her unwavering commitment to fostering inclusion and supporting newcomers in British Columbia.
• The Legal Advocacy Program’s Family Law Advocate, Minab Yetbarek, was shortlisted for the 2024 Legal Impact Award in the Community Champion category.
• MOSAIC’s Family Centre team was recognized with the Community Partner Award by Burnaby Family Life for their unwavering commitment to supporting vulnerable families adapting to life in Canada.
• We welcomed Synthia Kloot to our Board of Directors. Recognized as one of Canada’s Best Executives, Synthia brings invaluable leadership and expertise across technology, finance, and business strategy.

By the Numbers

The impact of our collective efforts is reflected in the numbers. Behind each figure is a story of support, progress, and opportunity:

• 24,000+ clients served across our programs and services,
• 10,700 clients connected through MOSAIC events,
• A growing network of 19 MOSAIC sites, 13 community sites, and 9 shared partner sites delivering support across the region,
• Our internal fundraising campaign, MOSAIC for Good, raised over $24,000 this year thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of our staff and community,
• The dedication of 500+ staff and 470 volunteers, whose time, talent, and commitment make this work possible.

As we step into 2025, MOSAIC remains committed to creating pathways for newcomers to build fulfilling lives in Canada. None of this year’s achievements would have been possible without the support of our donors, partners, volunteers, and staff. Thank you for being part of our journey.

Stay connected by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or subscribing to our bimonthly E-Newsletter for updates, inspiring stories, and ways to get involved.

On behalf of everyone at MOSAIC, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a bright start to 2025!