Overview
AMSSA is a unique province-wide association that strengthens over 90 member agencies as well as hundreds of community stakeholder agencies who serve immigrants and newcomers, and build culturally inclusive communities, with the knowledge, resources and support they need to fulfill their mandates.
Vision:
A just and equitable society in which everyone benefits from social and economic inclusion.
Mission:
AMSSA facilitates collaborative leadership, knowledge exchange and partner engagement to support agencies that serve immigrants and build culturally inclusive communities.
Purpose:
Our purpose is to drive transformative systems change by amplifying collective voices, mobilizing members and partners, and leading with innovation, adaptability, and evidence, so that immigrants and newcomers can build better lives across BC and beyond.
Values:
Our values are our guiding principles. They reflect who we are at our core and serve as the foundation for all our actions. They shape how we engage with one another, how we make decisions, and they ensure consistency and integrity in everything we do. These values strengthen alignment, accountability, and collaboration across our membership, partnerships, and broader sector relationships.
- We Advance Equity
- We Champion Inclusion
- We Lead with Integrity
- We Honour Diversity
- We Practice Mutual Respect
- We Lead Through Collaboration
- We Commit to Sustainable Transformation
- We Practice Decolonization
Experience:
Established in 1977, AMSSA began as a network for multicultural organizations in BC’s interior region. By working together, these organizations expanded each of their community’s multiculturalism knowledge and capacity for anti-racism. In 1983, AMSSA grew to include newcomer serving organizations. As the provincial umbrella association for immigrant and newcomer serving agencies in BC, AMSSA has earned a reputation for collaborating with governments and community partners on a provincial and national level.
Alongside its members and community partners, AMSSA has an important role in addressing emerging issues and impacting policy. AMSSA excels in building partnerships and networks, developing and facilitating training events and producing highly relevant information resources based on current research and policy trends. Through these indirect services, AMSSA strengthens the capacity of organizations who work directly with immigrants and newcomers.
2026 - 2031 Strategic Plan:
Released on September 17, 2026, AMSSA's 2026–2031 Strategic Plan will guide AMSSA's work over the next 5 years and is organized around 7 interconnected priorities:
- Advancing Our Leadership
- Strengthening Member Engagement
- Amplifying Voices & Shared Narratives
- Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Leadership
- Revenue Diversification & Financial Stability
- Disrupting & Transforming Systems
- Innovation & Future Opportunities
