Metro Vancouver’s MOSAIC organization marked its 50th anniversary by hosting a walkathon at Burnaby’s Swangard Stadium. Originally established as the Multilingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities in 1976, MOSAIC welcomed hundreds of newcomers to celebrate their settlement achievements, enjoy food trucks, and live music.
The event was organized by many MOSAIC employees and volunteers who had been beneficiaries of the organization’s services when they first arrived in Canada. Daisy Au, now part of MOSAIC’s settlement team, shared her own journey of overcoming challenges when she first arrived in Canada from Hong Kong in 2003.
MOSAIC serves around 33,000 immigrants, refugees, and newcomers annually, providing invaluable support in areas such as credential recognition and settlement assistance. Participants in the walkathon had the opportunity to stamp a mock passport at different checkpoints symbolizing milestones like securing a job and finding a home in Canada.
Sharon Butler, MOSAIC’s director of strategic engagement, highlighted the organization’s impact, assisting approximately half a million individuals in entering British Columbia and Canada over the past five decades. Despite recent government funding cutbacks, MOSAIC continues to witness a growing demand for its services each year.
Headquartered in Burnaby near Swangard Stadium, MOSAIC operates multiple locations across the Lower Mainland. Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley acknowledged the significant contributions of MOSAIC, emphasizing the importance of community togetherness and cultural exchange in fostering societal progress and unity.