Celebrating 30 Year of Diversity

Did you know that AMSSA, formerly AMS (Affiliation of Multicultural Societies), adopted its logo designed by Okanagan artist Jack Davis. It was composed within a stylized dogwood blossom representing the province with the five sides representing five regions: Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, Okanagan, Kootenay and Northern BC.

The five figures represent the five main groupings of the human race. Their hands held in a circular pattern represent harmony and their feet coming together symbolize unity – together, they represent the name and aims of multiculturalism.

Now in its 30th year of progressive multiculturalism work, AMSSA will be holding its Anniversary Gala at the Executive Hotel and Conference Center in Burnaby. The Gala takes place Thursday September 27 and features an “Around the World” buffet, dancing and silent auction. So let’s shake the dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to give a toast for more years to come!

Multifaith Calendars . . .still some left!!

We've sold over 7000 multifaith calendars but there are still a few left for 2007. As we are approaching April, AMSSA is now offering the calendars at a discounted rate of $10! You can purchase by phone at 604-718-2780 or toll free 1-888-355-5560, or purchase online at: http://www.amssa.org/calendar/index.htm.

"We love this fair"

AMSSA’s third annual 2007 Multicultural Health Fair was held on Saturday, March 3rd at the Croatian Cultural Center in Vancouver.  The Opening Ceremony featured honored VIP guests including MP Brian Storseth of Westlock-St. Paul, AB, Minister Wally Oppal - Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, Councillor David Cadman - City of Vancouver andMs. Shannon Griffin - BC Mental Health & Addiction Services, PHSA.  Following the ceremony, The Carnival Band kicked off the fair with a lively, musical march to the Exhibitor Hall.

With almost 2,000 participants attending throughout the day, the Fair exceeded expectations and noticeably increased access to health care and information among BC’s multi-ethnic, multicultural community. Activities and participation included 50 exhibitors from a variety of health organizations and community agencies, 14 workshops in multiple languages on a range of health topics, interactive fitness demonstrations, multicultural performances and ethnic cooking demonstrations that educated and entertained participants in 8 languages. A Speak Up Legacy banner that spanned half the length of a wall allowed visitors and volunteers to comment on the fair. In the words of one contributor: “Great to bring so many health-related organizations under one roof! Really helpful and facilitates understanding and awareness of maintaining wellness.”

In addition, the public was able to participate in health screenings including blood pressure and blood glucose testing, as well as body mass index. UBC Faculty of Dentistry hosted a dental corner where information was provided on proper dental care and hygiene for adults and children.

This year’s Multicultural Health Fair would not have been possible without the support of AMSSA’s funders, sponsors, donors, presenters and a team of 80 volunteers whose energy and hard work contributed to the success of the fair. Another Speak Up comment reads: “Great community collaboration, well done!”

Safe Harbour - Moving and Shaking!

The Ministry of the Attorney General, Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, has removed the Notice of Intent for Safe Harbour funding from the BC Bid site after two weeks without contestation or objections. A contract has been signed with the Ministry and AMSSA will be ready to disburse funds to the 21 communities to continue building and developing the Safe Harbour Program across the province under the BC Anti-racism and Multiculturalism Program. On March 23, at the first Safe Harbour training at Burnaby Family Life Institute, AMSSA was presented with a cheque by the Ministry to represent the upcoming financial support of the Program. For more information, please visit: www.safeharbour.ca.


Other communities are also gaining momentum, gearing up for the new funding. Priorities in their action plans include more training, raising public awareness, and making sure that past participants are still eligible to display the Safe Harbour decal in their storefronts.

AMSSA has printed an updated Safe Harbour brochure and developed a new Participants’ Workbook. AMSSA has produced a new Safe Harbour banner to use for outreach activities. The Training Curriculum and the Organizer's Manual have been updated and redesigned. The website is currently being updated to include a directory for community agencies and Safe Harbour locations in each area.

The Vancouver Foundation is providing funding for a Safe Harbour Youth Ambassador Pilot Project. AMSSA will work with Campbell River and Area Multicultural and Immigrant Services Association and Cowichan Valley Intercultural Society consultant Linda Hill to develop a curriculum to train youth to deliver Safe Harbour training to elementary school students. Linda will also develop the elementary school training curriculum. With potential additional funding from Canadian Heritage, we will be able to use this model to implement the Safe Harbour Youth Ambassador Program in other Safe Harbour communities province-wide.

Promoting Healthy Living in BC's Multicultural Communities Project
http://www.amssa.org/multiculturalhealthyliving/

The Promoting Healthy Living in BC’s Multicultural Communities project, funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, has reached a two-year milestone. We’d like to thank the Steering Committee members, AMSSA member and partner agencies, health care and social service providers, and members of multicultural communities across BC who provided support and feedback to carry out the project’s activities. They provided valuable information on the needs of multicultural health consumers and on barriers affecting their access to health information and services, and gave recommendations to address these issues.

 A summary of multicultural health needs and barriers can be found at: http://www.amssa.org/multiculturalhealthyliving/phase2/updates.html

A report (English / French) on the project can be accessed on-line. Read about the findings and recommendations from the survey of health care and social service providers, focus groups with multicultural health consumers, social and community workers, and key informants: http://www.amssa.org/multiculturalhealthyliving/phase2/index.html
 
The project has developed On-line Multicultural Health Resources that respond to the need to increase access to culturally competent health information and services. These resources are: a database of multicultural health publications, multicultural health services / programs and local and provincial resources guides, and the BC Directory of Multicultural Health Expertise. Access these at: http://www.amssa.org/multiculturalhealthyliving/onlineresources.html

Ninth Annual Metropolis Conference

Eight settlement service providers from all BC regions had the opportunity to attend the 9th Annual National Metropolis conference in Toronto from March 1-4. All costs were sponsored by the Metropolis immigration and settlement research centres in Ontario and BC. AMSSA administered a process to allocate the fully-funded seats for those who participated in the conference with Tim Welsh, AMSSA Program Director. 

As the entire Metropolis project is being re-funded for a third five-year phase with significant changes, this conference was particularly important. Tim represented the IICC in a national meeting of Metropolis centres and provincial settlement representatives. Participants discussed previous successes and potential future directions in research collaboration between academics and settlement sector non-profit agencies.

Tim also participated in a meeting between the national settlement umbrella, the Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance, and Ryerson University to plan a new national immigrant settlement sector website. New data is being released from major immigrant settlement research projects, and many conference workshops provided interesting analyses of immigrant incomes and employment, settlement patterns, and other key issues. 

Countdown to the BC Settlement Conference

As part of the BCSAP Settlement Conference Committee, AMSSA-IICC staff and members, SAM Division staff and ELSA Net members have been working hard to prepare for the upcoming joint settlement sector conference. The conference will take place on May 28-29, 2007. The committee has developed organize a full and balanced conference agenda, including plenaries, workshops, roundtables, and informal networking opportunities. Information about the conference can be found at https://www.venuewest.com/2007/isc/. 

IICC Service Transitional Planning

AMSSA finalized the framework for a new AMSSA website for information sharing and networking by all BCSAP service staff, and has now engaged Portal 80 Multimedia to develop the site.  AMSSA expects to have the site beta tested, populated with content, and launched by mid-April.  AMSSA is also in the final stages of developing a service plan for delivery of a broad range of new networking and information sharing services for BCSAP service staff throughout BC, and will enter into service contract negotiations with the SAM Division based on the plan. 

AMSSA Staff Changes

Welcome, Lindsay!
AMSSA would like to welcome Lindsay Marsh as the new Safe Harbour Coordinator. With a BA in English Literature and Sociology and a Sustainable Community Development Post-Baccalaureate Diploma, Lindsay spent three years teaching and volunteering overseas in Japan and Southeast Asia. Her passion for creating partnerships, enhancing community capacity, fundraising, and working in diverse cultures and settings continues to drive her work. Lindsay is thrilled to be joining the AMSSA team.  

Good-bye Dora and Ada. . .
At the end of March, AMSSA says good-bye to Dora Replanski and Ada Chan. Dora who has been working on the Promoting Healthy Living Project, has reached the end of her contract. She will be heading to Argentina for family reasons. Ada has been working at AMSSA in different capacities including Safe Harbour Coordinator, IICC Information Coordinator and Multicultural Policy Research Coordinator. She will be working at the Vancouver Chinatown BIA as the Marketing and Festival Coordinator.

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