The Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS) will offer bystander training in the fall and winter in response to instances of racism during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Building Resilient Communities for All initiative will provide community anti-racism training and recorded lessons on how to respond to hate crimes, hate speech, racial discrimination and microaggressions.
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A $20,000 grant was received from the Victoria Foundation’s Community Recovery Program, via the society’s Resilience BC anti-racism program. All the funds will be spent locally in hopes of fostering more inclusive and equitable communities.
“COVID-19 has disproportionately affected vulnerable, racialized communities,” said Victoria Foundation CEO Sandra Richardson in a statement. “The work of the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Hub in addressing racism and hate in communities comes at a crucial time in our society.”
“The Hub is dedicated to providing leadership, knowledge, support and action towards an anti-racist, equitable and just society,” added VIRCS board president Osaro Ezomo.
To learn about the provincially-funded Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network, visit resiliencebc.ca.
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