About Us
We provide immigrants and newcomers with the information and skills they need to adapt to life in Canada and participate in Canadian society and local life. We aim to be the principal advocate for diversity in our community, central provider of information, skills, programs and services to support immigrants, and the foundation of strong and meaningful connections between immigrants and the local communities.
Our Vision is for immigrants living and working in Whistler and Pemberton to be able to build the life they aspire to in a community where diverse skills, values, and experiences are recognized, welcomed and nurtured.
Our Mission is to support immigrants and their communities through dynamic, responsive and evolving programs, services and initiatives and to build cultural awareness, understanding and acceptance in the wider community. By supporting the successful integration of new community members and by celebrating the diversity of our community, we instill pride in our cultural mosaic for this generation and generations to come.
Our Core Values in all events, activities, projects and interactions are to:
- Be inclusive & respectful
- Be helpful, honest & active
- Be open-minded and patient
- Be positive and encouraging
- Work together to achieve goals
- Educate others
- Be financially responsible
The Whistler Welcome Centre aims to be a safe place where immigrants and newcomers can
- find a sense of belonging and value through sharing skills and cultural knowledge
- get information and support, and
- make new friends and connections within the immigrant and wider Canadian community
Our Mission is to empower immigrants living and working in our communities (Whistler and Pemberton) so they are able to navigate life in Canada independently, competently and confidently; we do this by providing support and information and by connecting them to each other and the wider community.
The Whistler Multicultural Network (WMN) welcomes and supports newcomers, celebrating their skills and cultures, so that immigrants are empowered and enabled to participate more widely and sustainably in our Community. We aim to build a greater understanding and recognition of the skills and values immigrants bring to Whistler and to promote diversity through volunteer-led cultural sharing, training, and education. The WMN is a key partner in the Whistler Welcome Centre, providing input to and guidance on the services, programs and activities delivered. They are the voice of immigrants in our community and increasingly provide funding for Welcome Centre programing. The annual Whistler Multicultural Festival, in its seventh year in 2019, is the WMN’s signature project.
The Whistler Multicultural Network was formed in April 2012 by the Whistler group of the Welcome Sea to Sky project, funded by the SMART Fund, Vancouver Coastal Health. The WMN is a key partner in the Whistler Welcome Centre, and collaborates with the Whistler Public Library, Capilano University and Sea to Sky Community Services to deliver federally- and provincially-funded immigrant settlement services, language and literacy programming. The Welcome Centre and WMN outreach programs are staffed collaboratively by Capilano University, Community Development & Outreach, and Sea to Sky Community Services (SSCS).
The Pemberton Multicultural Network was formed in April 2012 by the Pemberton group of the Welcome Sea to Sky project, funded by the SMART Fund, Vancouver Coastal Health.
A focus for the Pemberton Multicultural Network is on second generation immigrants, ensuring that our community gains from the great diversity of cultures our newcomers bring. By supporting the successful integration of new community members, and by celebrating the diversity of our community we seek to instill pride in our cultural mosaic for this generation and generations to come.
Our small team are all immigrants themselves. They understand the challenges of moving to a new country, learning a new language and building a new life.
Program Manager: Carole Stretch
Settlement Worker: Izumi Inoue
Multicultural Outreach Worker: Barbora Vaneckova
Multicultural Outreach Worker: Bekah Jones
Multicultural Outreach Worker: Belinda Geisler
The Welcome Centre is a collaboration of key local partners:
Capilano University – coordinates and delivers funding, administration, literacy, language and other programming
Whistler Public Library – provides our central, accessible location in Whistler
Sea to Sky Community Services – provides staff, resources and space for programming
Whistler Community Services – provides space for settlement services and appointments
Whistler Multicultural Network – provides funding for Multicultural Community Kitchens, Parenting in Another Culture, and the Whistler Multicultural Festival. The advisory board provides input and direction to Welcome Centre program, services and activities planning.
Funding for our programs and activities come from a range of federal, provincial and local government, and other agencies.
Our funding sources and sponsors in the past year:
British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education (MAVED)
British Columbia Settlement and Integration Services (BCSIS)
BC Multiculturalism
Community Foundation of Whistler
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Real Estate Association of Whistler
Have a Question?
Contact our Settlement Worker
or drop in to the Welcome Centre at the Whistler Public Library
Monday 3 – 6 p.m and Friday 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHISTLER WELCOME CENTRE
A helpful, friendly and practical service that will support you while you adjust to your new life in Canada. Welcome Centre services are for eligible clients and are free of charge.
Copyright Welcome Whistler 2019