On the heels of a large anti-racism rally in Vancouver on Saturday, August 19, BCTF president Glen Hansman calls on teachers and educators to take up the work of educating children and youth to end racism in an editorial in The Vancouver Sun. “We…know that authentic connection to others is the best inoculation MORE
The Honourable Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, has reached out to both the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition and First Call for preliminary consultations on a poverty reduction plan for BC. The PRC met with the Minister and staff on August 10, and First Call conducted a MORE
MOSAIC’s Fast-track to IT-Youth program helps eligible participants find work placements ranging from 16 to 24 weeks in the IT sector, including support from a workplace mentor. You are eligible if you are: 15 to 30 years of age (at time of selection) A post-secondary graduate from an IT program Out MORE
The Michaëlle Jean Foundation, partnered with the Silk Road Institute, Fresh Voices – Vancouver foundation, and National Council of Canadian Muslims, is offering an opportunity for Muslim youth to share their knowledge and recommendations to raise public awareness about local and national strategies for combating Islamophobia in Canada. Muslim youth are invited to submit a proposal for a film MORE
The Centre for Youth and Society at the University of Victoria has released a report Refugee Youth: Good Practices in Urban Resettlement Contexts. The report was produced for the UN-Habitat Youth and Livelihoods Unit. The research identifies key points to consider when working with young refugees: There is no universal refugee experience Participation and MORE
Vancouver Foundation initiative Fresh Voices, in partnership with the Michaëlle Jean Foundation, Silk Road Institute and the Canadian Human Rights Commission, will work with art groups across Canada this summer on a groundbreaking anti-hate campaign to address the rise of Islamophobia in Canada. Youth aged 15 to 30 from Muslim MORE
Young people under age 18 will be able to apply for citizenship if Bill C-6 is adopted in the House of Commons. This is a step forward for children’s rights, says the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children. It will help young people who do not have parents to MORE
Where did the Syrian government-assisted refugees (GARs) who arrived in Metro Vancouver set up home? The answer may surprising you. Following ISSofBC’s earlier report, Syrian Refugee Operation to BC, this new report maps the current settlement patterns of Syrian government-assisted refugees who settled in Metro Vancouver. It is a useful MORE
Citizens for Public Justice’s latest report highlights four barriers to refugee sponsorship in Canada. This includes long wait times for processing, limits on how many refugees each group can sponsor, and the federal government’s policy on travel loans. A Half Welcome: Delays, Limits, and Inequities in Canadian Refugee Sponsorship is based on MORE
Vancouver Foundation’s Fresh Voices Awards recognize the leadership of immigrant and refugee youth in British Columbia and across Canada working to advance social change. Awards provide $1,000 to an inspiring young immigrant or refugee, or to an adult-ally who has excelled in addressing issues of concern for newcomer youth. Nominations MORE
Fleeing war and torture, Syrian refugees try to move on with their new lives in this inspiring documentary (20 min.) recently released through the Atlantic monthly. The film features Mohammed Alsaleh, a Syrian who now works for Immigrant Services Society, a First Call member. While working to settle newly arrived MORE
The Education Committee of New Westminster’s school board is considering implementing a policy that welcomes all school-aged children in their district—regardless of immigration status—to attend their schools. The New Westminster policy comes after consultations with groups including Sanctuary Health Coalition and School for All. In May 2016, First Call sent MORE
Early Childhood Educators – Surrey Libraries welcomes you to borrow Multifaith Storytime Kits. These are great examples, given the times we’re in, of starting early to educate children and their families about our diversity. Each kit includes picture books, felt stories and puppets, music CDs, songs and rhymes, craft ideas MORE
Donald Trump’s immigration ban blocking U.S. entry for citizens of seven Muslim countries violates Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states: Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, MORE
Immigrant Services Society of BC has called on the provincial government to provide the transportation allowance to all BC welfare recipients and to allow them to earn up to half their income assistance without clawback. Find more ISSBC recommendations Read also: Vancouver Sun: B.C.’s Syrian refugees face income squeeze with MORE