News Archives - Page 5 of 14 - Community Futures North Okanagan

WorkBC Vernon helps clients access short-term skills training grant

August 9, 2023/in News

VERNON, BC—Thinking about changing careers or advancing your career, but need new skills to get there? WorkBC Employment Services in Vernon is encouraging clients to access the new StrongerBC Future Skills Grant, which covers up to $3,500 in training for short-term courses ranging from microbrewing to medical office assistant.

Any BC resident aged 19 years or older can qualify for the training grant, regardless of financial need. Kim Lauritsen, employment services manager, WorkBC Employment Services in Vernon, says the grant will be especially beneficial for local WorkBC clients receiving Employment Insurance (EI) or income supports.

“These dollars will go such a long way for those who have had an interest in exploring a new career or advancing their skills to help get back in the job market,” says Lauritsen. “This is a practical way for many in our community to move into higher paying jobs that fit their future.”

A growing list of more than 400 training programs at public post-secondary institutions in BC are eligible for the StrongerBC Future BC Skills Grant, including nearly 30 programs offered through Okanagan College. The team at WorkBC can help clients decide which skills and career paths to pursue, offer guidance through the process and—if they are receiving EI, BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA), or Income Support—help make sure they don’t lose any benefits.

With two full service centres in Vernon and Enderby, plus outreach offices in Armstrong and Lumby, the WorkBC team can also help eligible clients in applying for additional financial supports such as daycare or living supports to make it possible to attend training, no matter where they are in the North Okanagan.

“We’re here to help make it possible for North Okanagan residents to follow their passion, access this short-term skills training grant and get into the next stage of their career,” says Lauritsen.

To get started, North Okanagan residents can call or stop by WorkBC Vernon, and learn more at https://www.educationplannerbc.ca/plan/finance/future-skills-grant

ABOUT WORKBC NORTH OKANAGAN
WorkBC North Okanagan helps employers and job-seekers reach their goals through a range of services, including learning and workshops, Wage Subsidy placements, job search resources, employment counselling, job fairs and more. The Vernon office is located at 3105 33 Street and is now supporting clients both in-person and virtually.
https://workbccentre-vernon.ca/

For more information, media can contact:
Kim Lauritsen
Employment Services Manager
T 250 545 2215 x 244
kiml@futuresbc.com

‘Live a happy and healthy life’: We all benefit from more housing

July 18, 2023/in News

Multi-family developments key to bringing more professionals to North Okanagan

VERNON, BC—It’s the place where families go to be together, where hard-working professionals put their feet up and where budding entrepreneurs bring their businesses to life. It’s home, and it’s the foundation of a thriving community.

As provincial and local governments look to build more multi-family homes to support growing communities, champions of increased density say everyone will benefit from more housing.

Earlier this year, the provincial government announced the Homes for People housing plan to build more small-scale and multi-family housing — including townhomes, duplexes and triplexes — through zoning changes and partnerships.

Ian Murphy, co-founder of Vernon-based AIM Development and Management, hopes the plan will streamline the rezoning process so developers can spend more time building houses that the community needs.

“Creating more land is the key to affordable and attainable housing, but it has been one of the biggest challenges for most communities in Canada,” says Murphy. “When we build, we’re not only creating homes, but we’re also spending more in the community buying supplies and hiring local trades.”

By converting land with single-family homes into attainable multi-family housing, Murphy says AIM Development and Management has built 32 homes for families from five properties in the North Okanagan.

“Our goal has always been to build homes that the average family can afford,” says Murphy. “Attainable and multi-family housing doesn’t have to mean apartment buildings. It also means duplexes, triplexes and townhomes that appeal to young families, retirees and everyone in between.”

Kevin Acton, chair of the RDNO’s Board of Directors, says the district’s housing strategy highlights the need for more multi-family homes across the region.

“We need to work together to build a diverse and affordable housing stock that supports regional growth and the families, professionals and entrepreneurs that choose to live here,” says Acton.

Multi-family homes also help the community attract professionals in critical sectors like healthcare and trades.

“Increased density encourages economic investment and retail development, which help a community become more desirable,” says Leigha Horsfield, executive director, Community Futures North Okanagan. “By bringing in more business, greater density helps to pave the way for long-term economic stability, improving job opportunities and quality of life for all.”

Acton agrees.

“When we have more housing options, we can welcome these people who are essential to our workforce, the people who help everyone in the North Okanagan live a happy and healthy life.”

For more information, visit the RDNO online at rdno.ca/housing. Show your support for housing by posting on social media using #NOKHousingForAll.

Community Futures North Okanagan names 2023 Volunteer of the Year

June 22, 2023/in News

VERNON, BC—Why has Michele Hill spent the last 17 years volunteering for Community Futures North Okanagan while raising three children and her own growing business?

“I love Community Futures,” says Hill, who has just been named the organization’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year. “They gave me the start I needed to open my business 29 years ago, they gave me a business loan when I was so new that the bank wouldn’t—and I wanted to be able to give back and be a part of all the ways Community Futures builds economic development and helps youth and women and entrepreneurs reach their goals…It’s everything.”

Hill is now in her ninth and final year as a member of the board of directors, seven of which she has served as chair. She’s also served on several committees, including the loans committee where she first started volunteering back in 2006, just 12 years after opening Hill Environmental with a six-month-old baby and two other young children at home.

A Registered Professional biologist, Hill leads a team of three biologists who provide environmental, wildlife and riparian assessments, as well as dock and marina services. They’re based in Armstrong, and their office just moved into the converted former theatre building on Pleasant Valley Boulevard.

Considering how busy Hill is, Leigha Horsfield, CF North Okanagan executive director, says their chair’s dedication is all the more appreciated.

“She is so committed to the role and the organization. She schedules her work and home life around volunteering for Community Futures. We are so thankful for the expertise and guidance that she brings, and this tremendous contribution to our clients and community.”

Hill also received this honour from CF North Okanagan in 2017. To learn more about the ways Community Futures supports businesses and economic development, or volunteer opportunities, visit futuresbc.com.

‘Shortage of workers’: Housing crisis fuels labour scarcity

May 30, 2023/in News

Lack of attainable housing a barrier for hiring and retention, employers say

VERNON, BC—As private clinics close their doors and businesses across the North Okanagan are scrambling for staff, some of the region’s largest employers are calling for more and diverse housing to attract skilled workers.

Malcolm Reid, director of human resources at School District 22, says the lack of attainable housing has led to several job offers falling through in recent years.

“For the first time, we’ve had a number of people who we’ve offered positions to who had to let go of the offer or not accept it because they were unable to find housing in the North Okanagan,” says Reid. “Vernon is the greatest place to raise a family, but you have to be able to find housing to do so.”

School District 22 isn’t the only employer that’s felt the sting of the housing crisis.

Last year, BC Family Doctors announced that one in five British Columbians do not have and cannot get a family doctor. In the North Okanagan, more than 15 per cent of regular full and part-time healthcare positions are vacant, according to Interior Health.

“Like many industries, the health-care sector is facing a shortage of workers. We know that it can be a challenge for people to find housing, and this can be a barrier to attracting new professionals to the region,” says Richard Harding, executive director of clinical operations, North Okanagan and Interior Health Emergency Services Network. “Interior Health supports all efforts to provide affordable housing options in our area, especially housing that supports healthcare professionals’ ability to live in our community.”

Region relies on new and returning residents

With fewer elementary-aged children than people ready to retire, the North Okanagan needs migration and returning residents to sustain its workforce.

According to Community Futures’ Rural BC Economic Bulletin, the North Okanagan’s prime working age population—those aged 25-54—is below the rural BC average at only 33 per cent. Growth in this key demographic is also below average at only five per cent.

“As a principal, I saw lots of kids graduate from high school and move away for university or other post-secondary training and get a job. Eventually, they would want to move back to Vernon to raise a family,” says Reid. “What they’re finding is they’re challenged to do that. They’re not able to come back and find that house and live the life they had growing up, and they’re looking at other parts of the province to do so.”

Diversity, density the solution to housing crisis

To meet projected demands in the region, half of the new builds in the North Okanagan should be either two-bedroom apartments or small ranchers, according to the Regional District’s housing strategy. The remaining half is split between studio suites or one-bedroom apartments and multi-bedroom single-family homes.

“Diverse housing helps our economy thrive through the development of options,” says Leigha Horsfield, executive director, Community Futures North Okanagan. “In order for us to able to attract the nurse, the tile setter, the tech worker and the specialized teacher, we need to have a diverse landscape of housing so that these folks are able to secure a home and get settled in our community.”

To learn more about the Regional District’s housing strategy and the benefits of more housing and a diverse housing supply, visit the Regional District of North Okanagan online at www.rdno.ca/housing.

‘Absolutely amazing’: Fieldnotes Market crowned 2023 Enterprize Challenge victor

May 19, 2023/in News

Top 3 take home more than $50,000 in prizes; PV BLVD Coffee named People’s Choice Award Winner

VERNON, BC—The house lights dim as the spotlight illuminates the centre stage. Nearly 200 people sit silently on the edges of their seats. Suddenly, the crowd erupts in applause as Hannah and Pamela Janek walk into the spotlight, hand-in-hand, smiles stretched across their faces.

After months of preparation and a night of nerve-inducing pitches in front of friends, family and a panel of volunteer judges, they’ve done it. They’ve won the 2023 Enterprize Challenge and more than $35,000 in prizes.

“We’re running on adrenaline right now, because we open our store next Saturday, May 27,” says Pamela Janek, owner of Fieldnotes Market alongside her daughter, Hannah. “It’s been super crazy busy, but such a great experience and a great team both at Community Futures and with all of the other contestants.”

Presented by VantageOne Credit Union and Community Futures North Okanagan, the 2023 Enterprize Challenge culminated in a night of live, Dragon’s Den-style pitching as finalists vied for the podium.

Fieldnotes Market is Armstrong’s newest general store founded on a love of nature and provides a curation of quality European-inspired home goods, local arts and crafts, unique pre-loved housewares and specialty local and European pantry food. The Janeks took home start-up capital, one year of free business banking, a free radio and print campaign, business consulting and mentoring, a chamber of commerce voucher, tuition credits and legal, accounting, video, graphics, marketing and web packages.

“We’re just really thankful for Community Futures for this amazing experience. Because it was so aligned with our store opening, we were really able to hone our business idea and what we could really do to serve the Armstrong community,” Hannah adds. “We’re working with local artisans and we can just feel that there’s a lot of room for growth.”

Fieldnote Markets was one of seven finalists and 28 challenge participants showcasing the remarkable innovation of entrepreneurs from across the North Okanagan.

“We have such a wide variety of businesses here, and we applaud you all for stepping up and taking on this challenge,” says Michele Hill, chair of Community Futures’ board of directors. “Best of luck to each of you today and in the future.”

PV BLVD Coffee–Armstrong’s newest coffee shop that blends the comfort of a local hangout with weekly arts and yoga classes–claimed second place and Chef Lauren Vincent–a Red Seal chef creating custom meal prep for her clients–scored third.

“The Enterprize Challenge gave me the opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs, talk to other people and learn how to grow my business,” says PV BLVD Coffee’s Kristy McLennan. “I’m super happy about the opportunity and excited for the future.”

McLennan and Vincent each ended the night with one year of free business banking, a chamber voucher and several great business packages.

“I can imagine how difficult it was to be a judge for this competition. The innovation we have seen this evening both at the showcase and in the final pitches is very impressive,” says Dianne Grebinski, VP of commercial banking at VantageOne Credit Union. “The display of entrepreneurship in the program is to be commended and we congratulate all of those who participated as well as all seven of our finalists.”

As the judges deliberated, the public cast their votes and awarded PV BLVD Coffee as this year’s People’s Choice Award-winner. In addition to her second-place prize, claimed a $750 advertising package from Castanet Media.

“Thank you to all who came through the challenge for having the ambition and courage to put yourselves forward for this competition,” says Beach Radio’s Brian Martin, emcee. “We wish you great success in all your future businesses.”

Workforce housing project helps bring more doctors to North Okanagan

May 4, 2023/in News

Project provides purpose-built housing for first-ever family residency program in the community

VERNON, B.C.—More than 20,000 people in the North Okanagan don’t have a family doctor. A North Okanagan medical residency program launching in 2024, supported by a new workforce housing development, hopes to change that.

Put forward by Community Futures North Okanagan and local home developer AIM Development and Management, the workforce housing project will provide housing for four family medicine residents in 2024, with plans to welcome four more residents the following year.

“This new economic development project will support a critically challenged sector of our economy that affects thousands of residents,” says Leigha Horsfield, Executive Director, Community Futures. “Access to medical care and childcare are significant factors skilled workers take into account when deciding to reside in a community.”

With persistent physician shortages, family practices and walk-in clinics have growing waitlists that put additional pressure on emergency departments and all healthcare services.

“The residency program is a great thing for our community. Other sites across the province continue to see residency programs as one of the strongest recruitment tools to get family doctors trained and practicing in their region,” says Dr. Travis Allen, site director of the family residency program. “Creating this pool of resources makes family medicine more sustainable for our community and directly benefits the patients.”

Ultimately, Horsfield says, the project hopes to retain family doctors through outreach and incentives and improve access to health care for thousands of North Okanagan residents.

“Given the extreme housing shortage, the goal of this project is to create housing that supports the health sector and provides a ready-made landing place for medical residents,” says Horsfield.

Community rallies in support of project

AIM Development purchased the single-family home on 25^th Street and subdivided the property into three lots. Founder and owner Ian Murphy says that the current home will remain on the property and the development will see two new homes each with a suite to provide housing for six residents.

Connected through the City of Vernon’s economic development office, Murphy agreed to sell the already subdivided lots to Community Futures at a discounted price and manage the construction of the new workforce housing development.

“This project aligns with our goal of creating attainable housing for our community,” says Murphy, whose company has successfully created housing for 32 families from five single-family properties in the past eight years. “It’s great to have Community Futures pushing this development forward.”

While construction has yet to begin, Murphy says the trades, contractors and suppliers have also shown their support for the project and even offered free upgrades and to reinvest a portion of their proceeds.

“Access to healthcare affects us all,” says Murphy. “We hope everybody sees this project the way we do: a development with a real purpose and benefit to our community.”

Construction on the project is scheduled to be completed in May 2024.

“I’ve lived in resident housing and finding an affordable place to live during residency is a huge stress point for a lot of people,” says Dr. Allen. “This workforce housing development helps us welcome residents from medical schools across Canada and provide a safety net and roof over their heads. They get to stay right in the community, see what it has to offer, and hopefully continue their practice in the North Okanagan.”

Nicole Cullen, program expansion manager with the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine, says the family medicine residency program is the first of its kind in the North Okanagan.

“This is a great way to support medical residents and encourage them to stay and work as physicians in the region,” says Cullen.

But, before the residents arrive in July 2024, Horsfield says Community Futures is looking for additional partners and sponsors. Whether it’s by donating services or materials, organizations and community groups that are able to support the workforce housing project are encouraged to contact Community Futures at 250-545-2215.

Enterprize Challenge finalists named

April 13, 2023/in News

Entrepreneurs from across the North Okanagan make it to final seven

VERNON, BC—From tours that explore the traditional Secwepemc territory to inventions that help you leave your tech at home, this year’s Enterprize Challenge finalists bring exciting business ideas from all corners of the North Okanagan.

Presented by VantageOne Credit Union and Community Futures North Okanagan, the 2023 Enterprize Challenge culminates in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre on May 18. Over the past two months, the finalists and other participants worked with local business mentors and attended workshops as they refined their business plans.

“More than ever before, this year’s Enterprize Challenge has seen remarkable innovation from new businesses across the entire region,” says Kazia Mullin, business services manager, Community Futures. “This year’s finalists are great examples of the creativity and dedication we’re seeing from small-town and rural entrepreneurs throughout the North Okanagan.”

The winner of the Enterprize Challenge, voted on by a panel of volunteer judges at the end of the final pitch, takes home start-up capital and more than $30,000 in business services prize packages.

This year’s finalists include:

Laura Dohla, Ancestral Heartbeat
An Indigenous-owned and operated adventure ecotourism company based in Enderby, Ancestral Heartbeat offers guided Indigenous hiking tours in Enderby Cliffs Provincial Park from April to October. Led by Dohla, the tours provide authentic Indigenous teachings and experiential, holistic, land-based learning for the first time in the area. Guests will learn about traditional plants and medicines, oral stories, local landmarks, traditional arts and Secwepemc language, culture and history all while exploring the beautiful park.

Lauren Vincent, Chef Lauren Vincent
A Red Seal chef creating custom meal prep for her clients, Vincent’s new venture will see fully prepared and delicious meals delivered straight to customers’ doors. Whether you’re looking for dinners for a family of five for a week or just need a little extra help in the kitchen some days, Vincent works with you and your family to create the perfect menu.

Hannah and Pamela Janek, Fieldnotes Market
Run by mother-daughter-duo Hannah and Pamela, Fieldnotes Market is Armstrong’s upcoming European grocer. Founded on a love of nature, the market provides a curation of quality European-inspired home goods, local arts and crafts, unique pre-loved housewares and specialty local and European pantry food. Fieldnotes Market strives to help locals reconnect with their European roots and remind them of grandma’s cooking.

David Scherle, List on Your Wrist
What if there was a way to take notes on the go without the need to use a cellphone or screen? List on Your Wrist is a leather cuff with a custom metal frame that holds 3×3 sticky notepads and a pencil. Perfect for trades workers, the restaurant industry and anyone who wants a better way to take notes, the high-quality handmade cuffs are created with care by Scherle.

Brayden Wiebe-Prato, PratoPhoto
PratoPhoto, an Armstrong-based marketing company that specializes in videography and photography, helps local businesses grow by producing high-quality, targeted content to engage their customers. An experienced videographer and marketer, Wiebe-Prato works with businesses to create personalized marketing plans. PratoPhoto combines video production, photography, social media management, website design and advertising to help businesses succeed online.

Kristy McLennan, PV BLVD Coffee Ltd.
Coffee and baked goods, breakfast and lunch, creation and relaxation–all are at home at PV BLVD Coffee. Armstrong’s newest coffee shop brings the comfort of a local coffee hangout and weekly painting, drawing, yoga, meditation and other arts and crafts classes to the community. PV BLVD Coffee even offers a kitchen and one-bedroom short-term rental suite at the back of the coffee shop. With three separate offerings that all flow together seamlessly, PV BLVD Coffee strives to create a community hub that is a safe and inclusive space to gather and learn.

Matthew Cyr, Spectra Shielding
Looking to detect and reduce electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation? Based in Vernon, Spectra Shielding specializes in EMF radiation detection and reduction. Using sensitive equipment to measure the radiation emitted by Wi-Fi devices, Bluetooth devices, cellphones, towers, powerlines, electrical wiring and appliances, Cyr creates detailed reports and offers solutions and reduction strategies–such as adjusting Wi-Fi networks, shielding a wall or room with conductive materials and installing shielding materials during renovations and construction–for homes and businesses.

Join this year’s finalists for a night of live pitching in front of a panel of volunteer judges on May 18 at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre. Doors open at 5 p.m. Pitches start at 6 p.m. with the winners announced before the finale ends at 9 p.m.

‘An amazing opportunity’: Registration now open for Enterprize Challenge

January 12, 2023/in News

One year after 2022 North Okanagan business challenge, winners finding success and growing their companies

Olive Butler will never forget the night she stood on the Vernon Performing Arts Centre Stage. It was an evening she went into with no expectations and one that has changed the course of her small business.

It was the night that, after weeks of workshops and one-on-one mentoring, she won the 2022 Enterprize Challenge and took home more than $20,000 in prizes to help make her business a reality.

Nine months later, Butler has grown her natural, low waste and vegan cosmetics company, Conspiracy Cosmetics, from a small e-commerce shop to an authentic beauty brand available in shops from the South Okanagan to Ontario.

“The main thing that’s evolved since joining the Enterprize Challenge is my confidence to move my business forward,” says Butler. “When I started the program, I didn’t feel like I knew enough. I felt like an imposter who needed more experience and better connections. By the end of the program, I had the knowledge and connections I needed to move past that fear, that imposter syndrome. I realized that my business does make sense.”

Registration is now open for Community Futures North Okanagan’s 2023 Enterprize Challenge. Starting in February, participants begin a series of business workshops and work one-on-one with a local mentor to refine their business plans. The program culminates in a live pitch and awards showcase at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre May 18 where the first, second and third-place winners and people’s choice victor will be crowned.

“After seven years of Enterpize Challenges, we’ve seen such incredible demonstrations of creative thinking, problem solving and determination as our local entrepreneurs bring their business ideas to life,” says Kazia Mullin, business services manager, Community Futures North Okanagan. “We can’t wait to see how this year’s participants will rise to the challenge.”

Last spring, Sean Ling-Allen of Centred Pilates rose to the challenge with a thoughtful pitch and took home second place plus more than $10,000 in prizes.

“The Enterprize Challenge gave me a big push to launch the studio more publicly,” Ling-Allen says. “It gave me exposure to a local studio that helped me with my marketing plan and led me to my mentor, Ken McLeod, who helped me refine my business idea. Now, I have a plan for the next five years of my business.”

Since participating in the challenge, Ling-Allen has hired two part-time instructors and grown the group classes side of the studio.

James Stuart, founder of Uplift Aero Greens, has also seen his business grow since he took home third place and $6,000 in prizes last April. Before the Enterprize Challenge, Uplift Aero Greens was pre-revenue. The vertical farming business had four grow walls with 108 plants each, and Stuart spent his days designing, constructing and refining his aeroponics system.

“Everything about the Enterprize Challenge was out of my comfort zone. I’m not a public speaker, I’m usually quite reserved, but the challenge pushed me and helped me and my business grow,” says Stuart. “Now, I’ve increased my production by three times, which made it possible to reach out to grocers. Between Butcher Boys and Swan Lake Market & Garden, they purchase all the produce I’m able to grow.”

For Leanna Maksymik of Waste Not Wool, the biggest takeaway from the program was not the prize package she won, but the opportunity to share her excitement about her product with the community.

“When we did the Enterprize Challenge, I didn’t even have my wool pelleting machinery yet. When I won People’s Choice, it was so good to know that, even though my business was still just a plan, people believed in my product,” says Maksymik. “It was an amazing opportunity. Every entrepreneur should try to get into the program.”

Registration for the 2023 Enterprize Challenge closes Feb. 6 at 12 noon. For more information about the challenge, prizes and registration, visit futuresbc.com/enterprize-challenge.

‘It’s done wonders for our community’

October 17, 2022/in News

Event celebrates the hundreds of people contributing to the region through the Rural Northern Immigration Pilot—and the program’s new expansions

VERNON, BC—They came with their newborn daughters, their sisters-in-law newly arrived, their bright hopes of becoming a permanent resident and, someday, helping others do the same. Nearly 300 people gathered at the Vernon Recreation Centre Thursday night to welcome families of the Rural Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program, and celebrate its successes.

The RNIP program helps rural communities attract skilled immigrants by matching jobseekers with employers and creating a path to permanent residency. Since 2020—when the North Okanagan became one of two BC regions and 11 in Canada to participate in the pilot—296 vacant jobs have been filled locally by RNIP newcomers from 48 different countries. Along with primary candidates’ family members, 624 newcomers now call the North Okanagan home.

Leigha Horsfield, Executive Director, Community Futures North Okanagan, recalled when the organization and City of Vernon first applied to host the pilot, which then had no funding source and no blueprint for operations. Now, standing in front of dozens of families from all over the world, elected officials from all levels of government now contributing support, and eager-to-help local agencies, Horsfield said:

“From the beginning, this has been a true community project with support and volunteerism from many stakeholders and individuals who have worked to ensure the success of the project. We are so grateful to all of you who have been involved.”

As Horsfield spoke, toddlers with painted faces and Canadian flags ran about, a father kissed the cheek of a weeks-old son and sisters held hands.

One such family was that of Claire Amisco, who arrived in Vernon from the Philippines with her husband and two daughters just three weeks ago. She is an office administrator at 250 Handyman.

“I believe this program will help a lot of people so we can get jobs and have a good family life.”

250 Handyman co-owner Dior Amisco, Claire’s sister-in-law, has been able to hire and bring over two other employees through RNIP, one from the Middle East and another from her native Philippines.

“It’s a pathway for us to share the blessings of being here and help others realize the Canadian dream as well,” she said.

Among the 173 businesses participating to date, there were several employers at the event who’ve hired multiple staff members through RNIP, including City Furniture business development manager Justin Sharma. Along with two newcomers on their way to Canada, over the last two years Sharma has hired nine people from all over the world—India, Germany, Australia and the Philippines.

At the podium speaking to all the new families in the audience, Sharma said: “We are grateful to have you join our community and help our community grow. This program has been a saving grace, and we hope you stay here and grow old here.”

One of Sharma’s sales team members, Germany native Alex Schoepp, said that will absolutely be the case for him. “We love it here. It’s safe. I have a good job. Our kids go to daycare. You’ll have to kick us out.”

The North Okanagan has become a destination of choice for skilled immigrants and their families: Right now there are 48,000 jobseekers in the queue. The local RNIP program has just been expanded to include the Shuswap, where it’s hoped the workforce will benefit from the chance to fill skill shortages. Once there’s a match between qualified employers and applicants, a Committee reviews applications and recommends candidates for the program. The number of primary candidates the community can recommend every year has just been increased from 220 to 250 per year, and CF North Okanagan’s goal is to reach 300 in 2023.

Harwinder Sandhu, Vernon-Monashee MLA, shared her own experience of arriving in Mackenzie BC in January more than 20 years ago, and commended both the participants and the program organizers.

“I’ve shared so many stories of how this program has done wonders in our community and I’m fortunate to know some of these families. You bring your talents and much-needed skills to our community…and looking out tonight at all of you, this is what makes the fabric of Canada so beautiful.”

To learn more about the RNIP program and stay up to date with new changes, visit www.rnipnorthokanaganshuswap.ca/

CF North Okanagan is Rainbow Certified

August 26, 2022/in News

All walks of life are welcome at Community Futures North Okanagan—and now it has the logo to act as a beacon for safe and inclusive support. The business and employment services organization recently earned the national ‘Rainbow Registered’ certification indicating it meets third-party standards for inclusivity with the LGBTQ+ community.

“We are proud to celebrate diversity of every kind and want to make sure that people from the LGBTQ+ community know this is a safe place to land for services, and that we are able to support those who identify in various ways,” says Leigha Horsfield, executive director, CF North Okanagan.

The Rainbow Registered accreditation program grants a time-limited recognition to businesses and organizations for demonstrating compliance with standards across four pillars: policies and practices, training for diversity and inclusion (D&I), inclusive leadership and a culture of inclusivity.

When the opportunity arose to get Rainbow Registered, CF North Okanagan had already been on the path to creating an environment of inclusivity, including:

Policies and practices for the team and clients are written and communicated through a lens of respect for all genders and orientations, and comply with all relevant Acts
Staff training using facilitators with lived experience sharing learnings with the staff
Inclusion committee works to educate staff and support inclusion initiatives through information, activities and celebrations
Volunteer days give staff a chance to support organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community, such as Armstrong Pride
Marketing materials demonstrating diversity and inclusion

The certification process included multiple meetings and a thorough one-on-one review of the application with an assessor. Accredited organizations are given the right to be associated with the program’s prestigious Rainbow Registered designation mark, now displayed on the CF North Okanagan website and the Vernon-based organization is findable in an online directory.

“Our team is very proud that we’ve been able to achieve this certification and it’s validating to know the work we’ve been doing is recognized by an external body,” says Horsfield, adding that anyone wanting to join the CF team will also now be able to see that CF North Okanagan is supportive, open-minded, eager to learn and doing recognized work to walk the talk.