The Victoria Foundation is pleased to support the New to Canada program, to help newcomers get a head start on their businesses.
Being a newcomer to a country can be an exciting refresh in life, but the uncertainties can be equally frightening.
Often, newcomers settle to Victoria with dreams of starting a business, but barriers to language, education, and the emotional struggles of adjusting to their new lives can pose challenges.
This is why it’s important to share the many entrepreneurial success stories of the immigrant community in our region.
You may have heard of Dumpling Drop, a flourishing restaurant created by Tarn Tayanuth of Thailand, inspired by time she spent rolling dumplings with her mother who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Likewise, the Ajaj family, who immigrated from Syria in 2016 with their four children, opened the Damascus Food Market, connecting Middle Eastern communities and beyond with halal groceries.
As a community, we must celebrate successful businesses and help newcomers garner the resources to create more of them. That’s why I’m pleased the Victoria Foundation is supporting the New to Canada program, run by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, aiming to empower newcomers with comprehensive and compassionate support to grow their businesses.
This brand-new initiative, a rarity in Canada, has partnered with the Inter-Cultural Association (ICA) and the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS). It’s also sponsored by Air Canada, the YYJ International Airport, and Western Design+Build.
The program will inspire hope in the face of uncertainty, will enrich our economy, and is a stunning example of what we can achieve as a community when we collaborate.
VIRCS executive director Luis Gutiérrez Aguirre says he greatly appreciates the efforts of the Chamber, “who have understood the importance of the entrepreneurial spirit of newcomers as risk-takers, innovators, experimenters, and enquirers.”
I was fortunate to attend the program’s jam-packed unveiling at ICA this month, where we heard of the importance of this initiative, as the shape of our region changes to accommodate more newcomers.
CEO Shelly D’Mello, of ICA, says the association is very excited to participate in the program.
“By supporting newcomer entrepreneurs, we are essentially celebrating their innovation, their contributions to the community, and their unique and relevant products and services,” she says.
In other matters, I’d like to thank the many organizations working to support the wellbeing of the Indigenous communities in our region every day. Non-profits like the Oasis Society, which empowers those impacted by homelessness, and the Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour, working to boost wellbeing in the BIPOC community, are invaluable to our region.
Tomorrow, Sept. 30, is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and there will be a powwow hosted by the Songhees Nation at Royal Athletic Park, to recognize survivors and their families. I hope you’ll be able to attend.
I’ll also mention that applications for grants from the Indigenous Priorities Fund will be open from Oct. 1 to Nov. 4. Approximately $675,000 is available to support Nations, Indigenous-led organizations, and others. The fund is led by the Indigenous Granting Advisory, to create a granting approach that better reflects Indigenous values and priorities.
Finally, I want to thank the 400 people who attended our 19th annual Vital Signs launch last week at the Victoria Conference Centre. It was the most well-attended launch in the Foundation’s history.
I’m grateful for such outstanding community support.
I hope you can take time to read the new 2024 Victoria’s Vital Signs report, with a feature article from impact adviser Jim Hayhurst on how we can engage today’s youth for a better future. The report is available in print and a new user-friendly digital version at victoriavitalsigns.ca!
