On April 23, MOSAIC will commemorate its official incorporation date as an organization, and will celebrate its 45th anniversary on social media. Messages from valued partners and government officials will be shared, including:
- The Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
- The Hon. Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
- John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia
- Kennedy Stewart, Mayor of Vancouver
- Mike Hurley, Mayor of Burnaby
- Jonathan Cote, Mayor of New Westminster
- Doug McCallum, Mayor of Surrey
- Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC
- And many more!
MOSAIC is honoured to announce three cities have proclaimed April 23rd as MOSAIC Day — the City of Vancouver, City of Burnaby, and City of New Westminster.
We invite you to join us on social media in celebrating this momentous day. Use the hashtag #MOSAICMoments and tag us in your posts to share your story about why MOSAIC is important to you.
More than four decades ago, two grassroots agencies dedicated to serving immigrants came together – and since that day in 1976, MOSAIC has remained committed to its roots of serving newcomers and enriching communities.
Forty-five years later, MOSAIC is one of BC’s largest non-profit organizations focused on providing settlement and employment services; it is made up of deeply committed people who support newcomers and those with diverse backgrounds.
MOSAIC advocates for a just and inclusive society where all newcomers and people with diverse backgrounds feel they belong.
“Diversity makes Canada strong. Opportunities and voice need to be given to newcomers who bring expertise, strength and resiliency to shape our communities and workplaces,” said Olga Stachova, Chief Executive Officer.
“On our official incorporation date, we are reminded of our history as an organization and the dedication of countless staff, volunteers, partners, and clients that shaped MOSAIC as it is today. We build on the efforts of those who came before us.”
Each year, approximately 35,000 newcomers to BC receive direct employment or settlement support or are connected to MOSAIC. MOSAIC serves newcomers coming to Canada through all immigration streams, whether they arrive as immigrants and refugees to settle here permanently or seek asylum in Canada, or whether they come on a temporary basis as international students or migrant workers.
With 51 locations in Greater Vancouver, 337 full- and part-time staff and 528 active volunteers, MOSAIC provides 38 programs and supports 83 languages. Nationally and internationally, MOSAIC participates in more than 43 coalitions and partnerships. Read more.
But numbers aren’t the heart of MOSAIC – it’s the moments that count.
“I moved to Canada in 2018 and MOSAIC was my first friend. I learned so many things from MOSAIC as a volunteer teacher and facilitator. I see many single mothers and refugees with their children in language classes and MOSAIC’s support and care for all clients is so appreciated,” said Fatima Rezvani, a former MOSAIC client who is now a volunteer with the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program.
There are so many stories from volunteers, clients, staff, and partners that make up an organization. There is no one MOSAIC moment – but rather many moments spanning decades that stay with people even after they move on from MOSAIC.
“My very first job in Canada was with MOSAIC, running a series of workshops for immigrant women. I will forever be grateful. MOSAIC will always feel like home as I got to know most people that have worked there over the years and still do,” said Wazi Dlamini-Kapenda, a former staff member of MOSAIC.
MOSAIC Moments can be shared:
- By following MOSAIC on social media and celebrating on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram
- By viewing MOSAIC’s history through a photo timeline.
