In 2023, Kinbrace, hosted “Becoming Neighbours” a program that brought together refugee claimants and community members in a unique series of workshops designed to explore values that foster belonging, safety, and connection with and for people who have been forcibly displaced.
The workshops, co-facilitated by Thariki Karanja, Beyond Refuge Coordinator at Kinbrace and Erin Goheen Glanville, lecturer for UBC’s Centre for Migration Studies, drew over 250 participants across five sessions, each centered on one of Kinbrace’s five core values: Welcome, Trust, Mutual Transformation, Celebration, and Prayer. From March to December, the sessions featured a blend of storytelling, panel discussions with lived experience experts, small-group dialogue, and shared meals.
Participants expressed an overwhelming appreciation for the workshops’ thoughtful structure, deep conversations, and the opportunity to connect across diverse backgrounds.
“Attending these events was so uplifting and encouraging, and I felt I grew as a person because of them. […] these gatherings combined many elements such as a warm welcome, delicious food, discussion, thought provoking panelists and about refugee experiences in Canada. It was an expansive experience to be involved.”
— Becoming Neighbours Participant, provided by Becoming Neighbours Project Report
While the workshops have concluded for now, the project team has identified opportunities to expand the initiative through in-person and online formats, discussion dinners, and digital resources to support ongoing engagement in fostering communities of belonging.
Becoming Neighbours received funding support from Vancity, Vancouver Foundation, the UBC Centre for Migration Studies, and the Community-University Engagement Support (CUES) Fund.
See below for project details and a project report provided by Kinbrace Refugee Housing & Support.
Project Details
Project Title: Becoming Neighbours
Project co-leads:
- Loren Balisky, Acting Executive Director, Kinbrace Community Society
- Erin Goheen Glanville, Lecturer, Centre for Migration Studies, Faculty of Arts, UBC Vancouver
Project duration: March – December 2023
Learn more:
This project was supported by the Community-University Engagement Support (CUES) Fund.