Dear Community Members, Clients, Partners, and Stakeholders,

It is with profound regret that Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS) announces the discontinuation of funding for our settlement services. This unforeseen decision made by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), will significantly affect our capacity to provide essential support to newcomers in our community.

RMCS has been a pillar of support for immigrant and refugee families, providing essential settlement services, language training, employment assistance, and cultural integration programs for 38 years. These services help newcomers navigate housing, employment, healthcare, and education, ensuring a smooth transition into Canadian life. With these funding cuts, RMCS will be forced to eliminate programs that empower newcomers to become self-sufficient and active members of the community.

From Feb 1, 2024 to Jan 31, 2025, RMCS supported 1721 individuals through settlement programs, offering guidance in areas such as legal rights, cross-cultural understanding, community connections, financial literacy, and job readiness. These clients had 11,912 unique visits, which include direct services as well as group sessions. Without these resources, the burden of integration falls on struggling families, increasing social isolation, not having access to the tools/skills to settle in Canada and economic hardship. RMCS also provides customized support services to clients who require unique customized GBA+ services for 2SLGBQIA+ communities, seniors, youth, women and refugees.

These funding cuts will impact 12 FTE positions as well as over 250 volunteers who provide over 7,800 hours of services. We recognize that this change may cause concern among those who rely on RMCS for settlement support. Please be assured that our commitment to serving the diverse communities of Richmond remains steadfast. We are actively exploring alternative funding opportunities and strategic partnerships to mitigate the impact of this change and sustain our support for newcomers.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our community members, stakeholders, and supporters for their unwavering commitment to our mission. We encourage open dialogue and welcome collaboration as we navigate this challenging transition.

 

Sincerely,

Parm Grewal

Executive Director