ICA is excited to announce that our Bystander Intervention Training was awarded a $30,000 grant by the City of Victoria’s Participatory Budging Process.

We are proud to support the Capital Region to learn practical anti-racism skills. We want to thank the City of Victoria for continuing to give residents a platform to support important community initiatives through its Participatory Budgeting program.

As an organization serving immigrants and newcomers within Victoria for close to 50 years, ICA is dedicated to creating an inclusive and welcoming region all who call this beautiful place our home.  This training comes at a critical time as we face pressing social issues such as the rise in anti-Asian sentiment due to Covid-19, the chilling accounts of anti-Indigenous racism in BC hospitals, the needed rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the growing reports of all types hate activity right here in the Capital Region.

Many of us know all to well that racism exists in our communities here. Those who participate in ICA’s Bystander Intervention Training will benefit from this program that fosters understanding of racism and discrimination, the impacts on BIPOC communities, and how non-BIPOC people can learn be stronger allies to be able to intervene when there are acts of hate in their presence.

ICA’s Bystander Training program will training sessions on:

• The history of racism in Canada
• Understanding racism in social systems and institutions
• What it means to be anti-racist, and how to support people of colour

ICA believes building awareness and changing attitudes through education and training are essential if we want to eliminate racial discrimination and inequality. Our training will provide 500 residents with tools and skills to interrupt and address incidents of racism. This is an important step to keeping everyone safe. Community safety comes through community accountability, and ICA is proud to support anti-racism in the Capital Region and Victoria.

We are grateful to all those who voted for ICA’s project and to the City of Victoria for its ongoing leadership in support of racial justice in the region.