Client: Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria

Needs & Opportunities

The Community Partnership Network (CPN) was the first in a series of ICA provincially-funded projects under their Welcoming and Inclusive Communities and Workplaces Program (WICWP).  As in many regions, Greater Victoria has an aging workforce.  The long term goal of this initiative is to improve the Region’s capacity to attract and integrate newcomers into our community, workplaces, organizations and institutions.  This funding program provided unique opportunities to establish working partnerships, build organizational capacities, and develop a foundation for ongoing work

Project Description

A core group of partners came together from industry, education, social and employment services, neighbourhoods, police services, and the arts through a series of workshops.  The group recognized the need to establish a broader level of awareness and interest in issues related to integrating immigrants in the community.  A partnership agreement and strategy was produced to pursue three goals for future projects:

• Raise awareness among community leaders and business managers of the need to create more welcoming and inclusive communities and workplaces.
• Strengthen the collective knowledge and skill-set of partnering organizations.
• Seek and apply solutions to known barriers to inclusion.

Services & Deliverables

Kim Walker designed and facilitated four workshops with approximately 30 participants.  The workshops were comprised of several exercises from which 25 tangible projects were identified along with lists of resources and potential organization partners.  Kim then produced the Capital Region Welcoming Community Action Strategy.  The strategy presents the collective vision, three-year project goals and guidelines for action related to knowledge development & exchange, public education & resources, and demonstration projects.  A Partnership Agreement signing event completed this phase of ICA’s WICWP projects to establish the Community Partnership Network for Greater Victoria.

Accomplishments

By the end of the project, a formal Partnership Agreement was signed by 17 organizations.  Over the next two years, the Network grew to more than 100 members and continues to expand with regular learning exchange workshops and events.  ICA’s Executive Director was awarded the 2013 United Way of Greater Victoria Award for Collaboration and Partnership in recognition of this work.