MOSAIC staff and offices have been featured in a video released by the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology in conjunction with an announcement that the partnership between it and agencies working to settle Syrian refugees was nominated (and subsequently won) the 2017 Premier’s Award in the Partnership Category.
In 2016 and 2017, the B.C. government announced a $1 million Refugee Readiness Fund to build community capacity to welcome significantly more refugees than in past years. Government employees with the Immigration Policy and Integration Branch came up with an innovative plan which had two main components: a Refugee Readiness Hub; and five Refugee Response Teams representing various sectors within the province where the Syrians would be settling. MOSAIC led the largest of the five teams with the Metro Vancouver Refugee Response Team. Each response team brought together representatives from settlement and community groups, local and provincial governments, and health, employment, and education sectors. The collective efforts to support refugees was instrumental in addressing the needs of refugees.
Sherman Chan, Director of Family and Settlement Services said the BC Government deserved praise for their unique approach to preparing various communities for the arrival and settlement of Syrian refugees. “They really thought through how best to integrate multiple stakeholders with health, education and other authorities to develop individual plans for each community. Congratulations to the Ministry, and the people at the Immigration Policy and Integration Branch for this well-deserved recognition.”
Saleem Spindari, Manager of Settlement Support Projects, said “It has been a humbling experience working with many colleagues from various sectors to support the settlement of Syrian refugees. Over the last couple of years, I have been humbled with the generosity of wonderful persons from various ethnic and religious groups who worked tirelessly to make this community a welcoming one for refugees.”
MOSAIC has played a leading role for refugee support and re-settlement since its inception in 1976. To learn more, please visit mosaicbc.org/refugees.
