Nickname | MOSAIC BC |
---|---|
Predecessor | Language Aid for Ethnic Groups, and Multilingual Social Services |
Formation | 1976 |
Type | not for profit |
Purpose | Refugee and immigrant support services |
Headquarters | Vancouver |
Olga Stachova | |
Website | www |
Multi-lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities, primarily called MOSAIC, sometimes called MOSAIC BC, is a Vancouver based not for profit organization that supports immigrants and refugees to resettle in Vancouver.[1][2]
The organizations provides programs that support newcomers with education, immigrations, employment, finances and safety.
MOSAIC was established as a not for profit in 1976 as a merger of Language Aid for Ethnic Groups and Multilingual Social Services.[1][3]
In 2014, the organization sponsored a Youth Violence and Family Relationships event where its staff facilitated a forum about family relationships and violence.[4] By 2015, MOSAIC was supporting over 25,000 immigrants per year.[1] In 2019, it partnered with the Refugee Council of Australia on Operation #NotForgotten a program to support refugees held in immigration detention in Australia.[5][6] By 2021, 144 refugees had been resettled.[7][8]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, MOSAIC received a $495,000 grant from the Public Health Agency of Canada's Immunization Partnership Fund to increase acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among immigrants, refugees and racialized groups.[9]
In 2015, its $24m budget was 45% funded by the Canadian federal government, the rest mostly provided by Government of British Columbia and private donations from groups including the Law Society of British Columbia.[1] Nine per cent of revenue is generated from the sale of translations services.[1] In 2015, MOSAIC employed over 300 staff.[1]
The organization provides languages programs, career services, and loans to help immigrants start a business.[1] It provides a range of serviced for youth, and for early childhood development.[1][10] It also runs programs that give advice about immigration law, employment standards, housing, education enrolment, and the provincial healthcare system.[1][10]