The building blocks of a good life

As a B.C. and Lower Mainland-based organization that has been providing Canadian newcomer-immigrants with settlement services for 45+ years, MOSAIC has had a long and storied history. Yet, the organization is still venturing to shuffle government priorities for improved support regarding immigrant welfare. On Nov. 17 2023, MOSAIC CEO Olga Stachova spoke to the House of Commons…

The power of community – Language support for displaced Ukrainian children

When then-Simon Fraser University (SFU) student Saba Fatemi and her peers won the 2019 SFU Student Community Engagement Competition with their “CommuniCreate” initiative – a program for refugee and newcomer children pre-pandemic – she didn’t specifically have Ukrainian children in mind. “My university peers and I learned that newcomer youth were a growing demographic in…

A thousand miles in their shoes: a glimpse into the world of refugee claimants

The United Nations’ designated World Refugee Day on June 20th will be a day observedto celebrate and honour “the strength and courage of people who have been forced toflee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.” Last year, Immigration,Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported over 90,000 asylum claims, includingnearly 4000 from claimants seeking refuge…

A newcomer’s appreciation of Canadian values

Speaking with Veronika Kotyk about her recent work, A Nest in the North, revealed the kindness, unexpected support and welcoming hospitality of Canadians to new immigrants, refugees and displaced people. It is immediately apparent that Koytk is both surprised and grateful for the welcoming support and assistance she received when arriving in Canada and every day…

Canadian values and immigrant population

Released last December, a new study, entitled Perceptions of shared values in Canadian society among the immigrant population, compares the proportions of Canadian-born people and immigrants who believed that Canadians share values to a significant extent. These values represent the democratic norms or standards that provide a basis for social inclusion in a diverse society, providing…

Newcomer accessibility program

Last October, MOSAIC launched the Accessibility for Newcomers Program, an innovative new program that will enhance accessibility for immigrants, refugees and newcomers in the Lower Mainland. Funded by the City of Vancouver in accordance with their new Accessibility Strategy, the innovative program will connect newcomers with disabilities to employment and disability support services while working…

A fresh look at immigration policies

How did Indigenous communities historically view immigration to Canada? As immigration is predicted to rise in the following decades, it is important for fresh voices to join in on matters of global importance. Marking its 50th anniversary, the Immigrant Society Services of BC (ISSofBC) will offer, in a joint effort with the Ismail Centre Vancouver,…

Canada welcomes over 200 Afghan refugees to Vancouver

Canada is responding as quickly as possible to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan by helping bring Afghan citizens and their families safely to their new home. We remain firm in our commitment to resettle 40,000 Afghan nationals, and our partnerships with provinces, territories and settlement service providers across the country are key to achieving this…