On November 23, 2013, over 160 Somali community members from across the Lower Mainland gathered at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey Conference Centre, to meet with policy makers and service providers.Through dialogue and focused conversations, the challenges, struggles, and resiliency of the Somali community were discussed. Outcomes from the forum included heightened awareness about issues impacting the Somali community and a commitment to work collaboratively to empower the Somali community by highlighting its strengths for capacity building. We are looking forward to work with the Somali community of BC and service providers to make their pathway to empowerment a successful journey for years to come.On behalf of the co-hosts, MOSAIC, the Somali Community of BC, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University AT-CURA Project, we would like to thank the Somali community members. We also want to thank the representatives of the following organizations who responded and support the Somali community in the Lower Mainland:
- Harry Bains, MLA Surrey-Newton;
- City of Surrey;
- City of Richmond;
- City of Vancouver;
- RCMP;
- BC Ministry of Justice;
- BC Ministry of Children and Family Development;
- Public Safety Canada;
- Surrey, Delta and Richmond School Districts;
- Princess Margaret Secondary School;
- OPTIONS Community Services Society;
- Richmond Multicultural Community Services;
- DIVERSEcity;
- PICS;
- ISS of BC;
- BC Muslim Association;
- Surrey Crime Prevention Society; and
- Umoja Operation Compassion Society.
