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Community Connector Project
The Community Connector Project helps newcomers access information, services and community resources while strengthening connections and improving service delivery.
Our Community Connector are community members with firsthand experience and cultural awareness trained to guide newcomers of any immigration status through their settlement and integration journey.
Taking a grassroots approach built on trust and connection, the Community Connectors are not the same as newcomer settlement workers found at partners like DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society; rather they are community role models, helping guide newcomers by providing information and making connections to local services and resources.
The Surrey LIP is proud to be part of this collaborative project, led by Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table / Burnaby Local Immigration Partnership. In addition to connecting newcomers to local community services based on their needs, the project will help inform service delivery improvements for service providers.
In Surrey, we have two part-time Community Connectors guiding newcomers of all backgrounds, but with a particular focus on Black and Muslim/Afghan community members. You may find them at local events hosted by partner organizations as well as at libraries and recreation centres.
Come chat with our Community Connectors at Surrey Libraries – City Centre Branch on Saturdays, 11 am – 1:30 pm.
For referrals and more information, please contact our Community Connectors:
- Rahwa: CCBD@dcrs.ca | 604-547-1272 (Black diaspora) (Languages: English, Tigrinya & Amharic)
- Marwa: CCM@dcrs.ca | 604-547-1131 (Muslim community) (Languages: English, Farsi, Dari & Pashto)
Surrey Community Connectors Project Supervisor:
- Yevgen Valeriyo Tolstoy: ytolstoy@dcrs.ca | 604-307-5597 (Languages: English, Ukrainian & Russian)
The Community Connectors Project partners include: