MOSAIC is delighted to announce $213,250 in funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage for a newly expanded project to increase access to social and civic board positions for racialized newcomers, while fostering equitable social and civic engagement.
Titled SCOPE (Social and Civic Opportunities: Pathways to Equity), participants will attend trainings and forums while having access to a peer-led platform to connect, share, and learn new ways to meaningfully participate in volunteer leadership positions in their community. Topics will include board fundamentals and volunteering, intercultural diversity and inclusion, dynamics of power and oppression, and building strong partnerships.
Upon completion of training, participants will be given the opportunity to be matched with boards and committees in non-profit organizations in the community that match their interests, and will receive ongoing support and opportunities to network with other newcomers.
“A 2019 MOSAIC survey found that while 100% of newcomer clients wanted to be civically engaged, only 30% actually were. Respondents highlighted a lack of access to information and opportunities as barriers and SCOPE aims to address this,” said Mimoza Pachuku, SCOPE Project Coordinator.
“Our sense of belonging starts with having strong social networks. Civic engagement is a critical way we develop these connections, and that’s why the Government of Canada is proud to support MOSAIC and SCOPE. Through the Anti-Racism Action Program, newcomers are given the tools, training and resources not only to engage with their communities, but also to become an important part of our society,” said the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion.
The project builds on MOSAIC’s SCENE (Social & Civic Engagement for Newcomers and Immigrants) project, which sought to give racialized newcomers a voice by diversifying governing bodies.
“It was extremely empowering and allows you to you get to know people from all around the world. It helped me professionally both in terms of volunteer experience and a reference for future jobs,” said Antonio Fadda, a previous participant in MOSAIC’s SCENE project.
Interested in participating in SCOPE? Register here or email Mimoza Pachuku at mpachuku@mosaicbc.org or scope@mosaicbc.org for more information.
