MOSAIC Marks 50 Years of Immigrant Support in Metro Vancouver

MOSAIC, an organization dedicated to supporting immigrants and newcomers in Metro Vancouver, recently commemorated five decades of service. The milestone was marked by a walkathon event held at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, which brought together hundreds of individuals celebrating their settlement journeys in Canada.

Established in 1976 as the Multilingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities, MOSAIC provides a range of support services. The organization reports assisting an estimated 33,000 individuals each year, helping them navigate the complexities of settling into a new country. Many staff members and volunteers at MOSAIC are themselves former newcomers who have benefited from the organization's assistance.

The anniversary walkathon featured activities designed to acknowledge the achievements of newcomers, such as stamping mock passports at stations representing milestones like securing employment and building social connections. The event also included entertainment and food, fostering a sense of community and celebration.

Sharon Butler, MOSAIC's director of strategic engagement, highlighted the significant impact the organization has had over the past 50 years, estimating that it has aided around half a million people in settling in British Columbia and Canada. She noted that a substantial majority of MOSAIC's workforce comprises individuals who were once newcomers themselves, and the diverse team collectively speaks over 60 languages.

Despite recent government funding reductions affecting settlement organizations, MOSAIC continues to experience increasing demand for its services. The organization operates multiple locations across the Lower Mainland, with its headquarters situated in Burnaby. Local officials, like Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, have acknowledged the vital, often unseen, contributions of MOSAIC and its volunteers in fostering community integration and supporting the city's diverse population.