About the Project
Moving to a new country can be a challenging emotional roller coaster ride. Reach Out project aims to raise awareness and increase accessibility to settlement services for newcomers. The project will work with long-term Vancouver residents as a channel to connect with newcomers. It is directed to help newcomers find the support that would help them settle into the city, to find meaningful connections, opportunities and to build a sense of belonging that will facilitate successful settlement and integration. The main purpose of the project is to encourage long-term residents to volunteer and pass along their knowledge of Canadian culture and Canadian services. One of the purposes of the project is also to inform long-term residents about the benefit of immigration, programs, and services available for Newcomers through settlement agencies.
ELIGIBILITY
19+ years old
Live, work, or play in Vancouver for at least 1 year.
A positive attitude
faq
1. Where can I get more information about this project?
Access https://www.mosaicbc.org/reachout to read more about the Reach Out initiative, get to know some immigrants success stories and get inspired.
2. What is expected from a Community Navigator?
Community Navigators will commit to a 4-hour Community navigator volunteer training offered by the ReachOut partner organizations. Community will be provided with appropriate training and be supported by their respective home organization that is part of the ReachOut Project. Navigators Upon the completion of training*, community navigators will reach out and deliver a minimum of 6 counts of presentations and/or awareness-raising activities for groups of newcomers in their respective social circles (i.e. neighborhood, clubs, faith groups, schools, workplaces, online social groups, etc.). Ongoing check-ins and informal progress reports are expected.
*Successful Criminal Records are required from all volunteers.
3. Why newcomers are important for the Canadian economy?
Newcomers play a very important role in ensuring that Canada’s population and labor force continue to grow and Canadian economy is able to maintain its steady growth.
4. What are the benefits of this project?
This project will connect the newcomers to the services provided by different agencies which would eventually help them in settling down in Canadian society.
5. How long do I need to commit to the project?
If you register to be a volunteer, the minimum you have to commit is 3 months.
apply here
If you meet the requirements above and wish to contribute to a strong community in Vancouver, apply to become a Community Navigator today by filling the form below.
Contact us for additional question
COVID-19 RESOURCES
If you are new to Canada, you probably have many questions and concerns. This pandemic situation is hard for everyone but you are not alone in this. Here is the list of resources that can help you in these difficult times. If you need support navigating this resource, please feel free to contact Reach Out partner organizations!
1. Health Resources:
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH) COVID 19:
- VCH Hotline: 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319) or via text message at 604-630-0300. (110 languages)
- COVID-19 Health Resources (UBC) (5 Languages):
- North American Collaborative Resource – the COVID 19 Literacy Project (35 languages)
- Public Health Agency of Canada
2. Food, Housing, Shelter Resources and others:
Also provides links to essential information on health; food; shelter; housing and links to information from the Federal and Provincial Governments
Call 311 for multilingual supports
3. Small Businesses:
Call 311 for multilingual supports
4. Other Related Resources:
Province of BC’s new information hotline dedicated solely to answering non-medical questions about COVID-19:
1-888-COVID19 or 1-888-268-4319/staffed from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m./10 languages.
Service providers at the new phone line will help answer questions about travel recommendations, social distancing, and what kinds of support, resources and assistance are available from the
- All government information on COVID-19 that is available in eight languages. This includes: Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Punjabi, French, Farsi, Arabic, Tagalog, and Korean.
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support
- AMSSA (Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC)
5. How you can help:
- City of Vancouver: Give a Hand Vancouver, accepts community offers from businesses and organizations
- United Way: iVolunteer.ca to volunteer
6. Need Help:
- United Way’s Local Love in a Global Crisis: https://www.uwlm.ca/
- In Our Hearts –Community Response Fund: https://www.vancouverfoundation.ca/covid19 The Community Response Fund was launched by four partners with a long history of building strong communities: Vancouver Foundation, Vancity credit union, United Way Lower Mainland, and the City of Vancouver.
6. Innovative Community Supports from Vancouver Immigration Partnership Members:
- Advertise your business or nominate your favourite local business for Adopt my Shop – (Minna Van, Westcoast Technology Innovation Foundation). (Note: multilingual staff will work with you to add your information to the site)
- Covidmaps.in web-app featuring information about stores in your neighborhood where you can get your essentials. Sanjeev Rao and team (Emily Carr University of Art and Design Students)
