Newcomers Welcome Dinner Gala
On September 3, 2017, a Newcomers Welcome Dinner Gala for Syrian refugees was held at Continental Seafood Restaurant in Richmond. The event was jointly organized by the Business Association of Richmond and the BC Asian Restaurant Café Owners Association. The organizers hosted this Chinese halal welcome banquet for Syrian refugees and newcomers from other ethnic communities to extend a warm welcome and to create opportunities for networking and employment connections.
MOSAIC, a settlement and employment service organization, provides specialized training and employment support programs for Syrian refugees and newcomers from other communities. The organization has also worked with the Government of British Columbia to lead the Greater Vancouver Refugee Response Team. Since September 2015, MOSAIC has provided services to 1,380 Syrian refugees and more than 4,000 refugees in total.
Sherman Chan, Head of MOSAIC’s Family and Settlement Services Program, explained that many refugees have experienced significant trauma and therefore need time to settle and adapt to their new environment. He noted:
"We can provide introductions, training, and support services, but when they are ready to begin working—and what type of work they wish to pursue—will ultimately be their own decision."
Approximately 250 Syrian refugees and newcomers from other ethnic communities attended the dinner, giving them an opportunity to meet and interact with Richmond business owners in a relaxed and welcoming setting, helping to foster mutual understanding and connections.
MOSAIC and the Business Association of Richmond also announced plans to jointly organize a job fair in November, aimed at bridging the gap between employers and newcomer job seekers.
MOSAIC, a settlement and employment service organization, provides specialized training and employment support programs for Syrian refugees and newcomers from other communities. The organization has also worked with the Government of British Columbia to lead the Greater Vancouver Refugee Response Team. Since September 2015, MOSAIC has provided services to 1,380 Syrian refugees and more than 4,000 refugees in total.
Sherman Chan, Head of MOSAIC’s Family and Settlement Services Program, explained that many refugees have experienced significant trauma and therefore need time to settle and adapt to their new environment. He noted:
"We can provide introductions, training, and support services, but when they are ready to begin working—and what type of work they wish to pursue—will ultimately be their own decision."
Approximately 250 Syrian refugees and newcomers from other ethnic communities attended the dinner, giving them an opportunity to meet and interact with Richmond business owners in a relaxed and welcoming setting, helping to foster mutual understanding and connections.
MOSAIC and the Business Association of Richmond also announced plans to jointly organize a job fair in November, aimed at bridging the gap between employers and newcomer job seekers.