Black History Month

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Weather Advisory - ICA offices are OPEN today

ICA is OPEN and all classes a running. Please allow additional travel time and use caution on slippery streets and sidewalks.
Winter weather is impacting Vancouver Island. Please be prepared and continue to monitor weather alerts.  

Racist Incident Helpline

United Way BC and the Government of British Columbia are proud to announce the launch of the Racist Incident Helpline – a culturally safe and trauma-informed resource for people who have experienced or witnessed an act of racism. The helpline provides access to information and safe supports from anywhere in BC, in over 240 languages.

Open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (PT), the Racist Incident Helpline is available by calling 1-833-HLP-LINE (1-833-457-5463).

Calls are answered by United Way BC Helpline Services professionals who have completed trauma response and cultural sensitivity training, who can:

  • listen to the caller’s experience,
  • provide information about local support services,
  • direct the caller on next steps based on their comfort level, and
  • with consent, refer the caller to the services that best match their needs.

Service is free and confidential. Callers who prefer a language other than English can let the call taker know their preferred language and an interpreter will be patched into the call.

Visit racistincidenthelpline.ca for more details.

What is a Racist Incident?

For the purposes of this resource, a racist incident is any act of verbal or physical aggression, refusal of service, bullying, intimidation or discrimination based on the colour of a person’s skin and/or their ethno-cultural background.

Available Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (PT).

It’s free, confidential and available in over 240 languages.

Immediate non-emergency support 24/7

 

BC Mental Health & Crisis Response

General emotional support for everyone in B.C.

3010-6789

KUU-US Crisis Line

Culturally safe support for Indigenous people in B.C.

1-800-588-8717

Métis Crisis Line

Culturally safe support for Métis people in B.C.

1-833-638-4722

Kids Help Phone

Canada-wide support for kids, teens and young adults.

1-800-668-6868 or text 686868

About the Racist Incident Helpline

 

The Racist Incident Helpline was developed by the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Branch of the B.C. Ministry of Attorney General, in partnership with United Way British Columbia, and works with specialized community organizations throughout BC.

New grant opportunities will be announced in June for community-based organizations, Indigenous-led organizations and land-based Nations throughout the province that specialize in supporting those affected by racist incidents. Bookmark: https://uwbc.ca/program/grants/.

The anonymized data collected from the service will be used alongside insights gathered from other Government of British Columbia anti-racism initiatives to support, guide and enhance the province’s anti-racism programs, services and initiatives.

Through the insights we gather and our support of the province’s anti-racism initiatives, United Way BC intends to:

  • increase local and provincial organizational capacity to address racism and support diverse communities;
  • increase understanding of capacity and expertise needed to provide anti-racism initiatives and programs; and
  • increase use of data-informed decisions for future anti-racism work through analyses of community needs, strengths and challenges to inform priority areas for intervention.


GVLIP Anti-Racism at Work Campaign

This media campaign aims to encourage everyone to speak up against racism at work, especially white colleagues, managers, directors, and leaders who are presently quiet, hesitant, or unsure how to address the issue.

Person seated

GVLIP Anti-Racism at Work

Anti-Racism at Work is everyone's job. Organizations from small to large will find local resources to help implement anti-racism strategies at work.

Racism in Greater Victoria: A Community Report Released

Through a strategic partnership with leaders in four primary community sectors, Governance, Healthcare, Education and Housing the GVLIP conducted its first community survey and consultation on racism.