Community Stops the Spread of Racism in our Streets
Sadly in our community on September 30, hundreds of notes linked to a white supremacist website were found near some Vernon schools. Many thanks to the Vernon parents and school staff who discovered these notes and quickly disposed of them. This is particularly disturbing and upsetting, it was Orange Shirt day, which commemorates the residential school experience, witnesses and honours the healing journey of Indigenous survivors and their families, and symbolizes commitment to the ongoing process of Truth and Reconciliation. We stand in solidarity with Indigenous people and are deeply sorry that this has happened in Vernon. We encourage everyone to talk with your children about racism and what it means to be anti-racist. Here just one resource from the library to help get you started.
https://booksforlittles.com/racial-diversity/?fbclid=IwAR0A5R45Q4l9QjlDptRdb67mcm8QSF6m2rG6nBDI0H9uXS54Rlcy-0CBMMk
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Hate Crimes Video --
Every person in British Columbia has a right to feel safe and participate in their community.
Racism and hate makes that impossible by creating fear and exclusion.
We need to work together to end racism and hate in our communities by understanding hate, how to report it and how to step in when we witness it.
This video has been produced in multiple languages by The Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network which is funded by the Province of BC and supported by the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society.
This province-wide network promotes safe, inclusive communities through education, outreach tools and the distribution of a community incident response protocol. Resilience BC Contact: resiliencebc@vircs.bc.ca Please be aware that this video may be upsetting. We, therefore, include this **Trigger Warning** 
Of all forms of criminality, hate crimes are likely to be among the most underreported offences.
If you want to report a hate crime or discrimination, there is a reporting system hosted in the Central Okanagan.
If you are a victim, or a witness, of racism and discrimination, report the incident. In collaboration with UBCO with the support of UBC CUES fund, Kelowna Community Resources is collecting data to help develop a community protocol to address racism and discrimination in our communities. Fill in the report online, email ac.rck@detinu or call 250.763.8008 ext 253
Report an Incident
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Watch the Vernon Library website and the Social Planning Council Facebook Page and Twitter tor information and registration information.
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Community News & Resources
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We're excited to share this New Video called "Immigrant Stories" from the
Shuswap Immigrant Services Society
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ5UwDqZodA&feature=youtu.be
If you'd like to be involved in a video project that highlights the many diverse cultures in our community, please email Lorelei at lipc@socialplanning.ca
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Learn how to communicate using inclusive language with this new guide.
Inclusive language is essential in creating safer environments for employees and all community members we engage with. Culturally safe, trauma informed and equitable language, composed of words, terms, and phrases, aims to address all people in a productive and respectful manner.
A newly released guide from the BC Centre for Disease Control aims to assist with COVID19 messaging and content development by using positive, acknowledging, and inclusive, rather than (potentially) stigmatizing language that may provoke fear. The scope of these guidelines is for COVID-19 content development, written or digital materials, and when updating existing resources in an effort to make new and existing content more inclusive and non-stigmatizing.
Read or Download the Guide here.
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Newcomer & Immigrant News
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Are you an employer having trouble finding skilled employees no matter how much you advertise?
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program may be for you! The pilot program can help employers within the region attract employees by offering them a job which can lead to a work permit and permanent residency.
To be eligible, jobs must be located within the designated region, have been advertised to Canadians and Permanent Residents, is full-time, non-seasonal, and not to term, and offers a wage of at least $20 and that is above or within the range of wages for that particular occupation. The employer must participate in an orientation session and meet other requirements. This pilot has already recommended care aides, carpenters, veterinary tech, chefs, accountant, and physiotherapists. To learn more about how this program may help your business recruit labour, contact Ward at wardmercer@rnip.ca.
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Do you want to help newcomers in Vernon and surrounding areas?
Become a Mentor!!
The Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society is looking to pair up mentors with Newcomers as part of the Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot program. Read the story on Castanet, or Contact VDICSS to find out more information.
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 If you or someone you know is arriving in Canada within 2 weeks you can use this app to save time at Canadian ports of entry by filling your information before you arrive.
The app, called Arrive CAN, works in airplane mode and allows you to save your information to submit upon arrival at the airport or border or up to 48 hours ahead of time.
Whether you are entering Canada by air or by land, the ArriveCAN mobile app enables all incoming travellers to submit information quickly, easily, and securely in order to arrive at your final destination.
Inputting your information via the mobile app will generate a summary of your traveller information which will be used by Border Services Officers at point of entry to support health screening protocols:
Data obtained from this mobile app is used by the Public Health Agency of Canada to administer and enforce legislation to help contain COVID-19 and keep Canadians safe and healthy.
You can download the ArriveCAN app from:
Apple store
Google Play
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We are interested in learning how you've been doing during this pandemic, what's been working for your multicultural group, and how we might be able to help promote or support your public or fundraising events virtually, or in person. Please let us know how we may help. Click here to email the editor.
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