DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society

Let’s say hello to Christie Sparklingeyes, who will be a part of our Women’s Leadership Forum panel! Christie Sparklingeyes is a dynamic Talent Acquisition Manager at Castlemain, leading national recruitment efforts for the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement Claims Helper program. With Cree and European roots, she brings a heart-centered, trauma-informed approach to ensuring Indigenous candidates are seen, heard and supported throughout the hiring process. With over 17 years in the corporate sector, Christie has built a reputation for fostering inclusive workplace cultures, removing barriers and creating spaces where Indigenous professionals can thrive. She is a trusted bridge-builder between Indigenous communities and organizations looking to strengthen their recruitment and retention strategies. Beyond her work at Castlemain, Christie has held key leadership roles, including Chair of Vancity’s Indigenous Employee Resource Group, Board Director of Minerva BC, and a government-appointed Board of Governor for Vancouver Community College. Through these roles, she has championed Indigenous leadership and driven systemic change in corporate and academic spaces. A strong advocate for increasing Indigenous representation, Christie actively collaborates with executives and colleagues to foster cultural awareness and meaningful engagement. She believes that by leveraging technology, strategic outreach and community-driven recruitment, organizations can build workplaces where Indigenous talent feels valued and empowered. Christie is excited to contribute to the Women’s Leadership Forum and engage in conversations about breaking barriers, leveraging technology and advancing Indigenous representation in leadership. Please note the event is now SOLD OUT. To join the waitlist, please email marketing@dcrs.ca! www.dcrs.ca/women #IWF #IWF2025 #internationalwomensday #ForPeopleForCommunities #minervabc Neelam Sahota, FCPA, FCGA, ICD.D Tina Strehlke

We want to extend congratulations to Amos and Edith Kambere on their honorary degrees from Kwantlen Polytechnic University We are reminded of the powerful words Amos shared in his acceptance speech for the Luminary award at Black in BC. “It’s the resilience of my wife and I that brought us to excellence. Although this award says the name ‘Amos Kambere,’ it’s the resilience of the work of the people at Umoja that continue to see immigrants." Congratulations again to Amos and Edith! Read more about Black in BC 2024 here https://lnkd.in/gBVTAtQ4

Today marks #PinkShirtDay, a day dedicated to raising awareness and advocating against bullying. DIVERSEcity staff and some of our youngest community members proudly wore pink to show our support for creating safe spaces where everyone can learn, work and connect without fear. Join the movement and learn more at pinkshirtday.ca! #ForPeopleForCommunities #EndBullying #SafeSpaces #Surrey

Congratulations to Mabel Taunu, the recipient of this year’s Black Brilliance “Luminary” Award! Here's a little more about Mabel: Mabel is a Pre-Employment Case Manager and workshop facilitator for the YWCA Metro Vancouver’s Employment Navigator Program for Single Mothers. She is also an active member of the Junior Black Achievement Awards Society and member of the YWCA’s Racial Equity Committee. Previously, she served as a board member with the National Congress of Black Women Foundation. “I have been working in employment services for over 20 years – meeting with so many different clients and participants including youth, adults, newcomers and now single moms with the YWCA Employment Navigator program. I know that when I meet with clients, they may be at their most vulnerable, feeling lost, feeling despair and sometimes anger. My goal is to always show up with empathy, compassion, understanding and respect — to make sure that they feel heard — that I am holding space for them. Providing resources and information is my job for sure, but uplifting someone, letting someone know that ‘I see you, I hear you’ is just as important,” Learn more about the winners at: https://lnkd.in/gsa45arP #Awards #BlackBrilliance #BlackExcellence #DIVERSEcity #ForPeopleForCommunities #SurreyBC

Ahead of our Women’s Leadership Forum, we are elated to share that Nadine Nakagawa will be part of our panel! Nadine Nakagawa is a community organizer, creative writer, and a second-term City Councillor in New Westminster. As a councillor, she focuses on affordable housing, community inclusion, the climate crisis and public engagement. She also works as an Equity and Inclusion Strategist, co-owns a consulting business called Ablaze Services and is cofounder of The Feminist Campaign School. In her free time, Nadine prances with delight towards wildflowers and can be found hugging trees and embracing whimsy—and her two cow-patterned cats named Bill and Moo. Nadine is a queer Hāfu woman who lives on the territories of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (Halkomelem) speaking peoples. She has a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and is currently undertaking a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology. We cannot wait for the DIVERSEcity x Minerva BC's Women’s Leadership Forum, taking place ahead of International Women’s Day at the Anvil Centre on Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 10 am to 2 pm! Please note the event is now SOLD OUT. Feel free to email marketing@dcrs.ca to inquire about joining the waitlist. www.dcrs.ca/women #IWF #IWF2025 #internationalwomensday #ForPeopleForCommunities #minervabc Neelam Sahota, FCPA, FCGA, ICD.D Tina Strehlke

We are thrilled to be a partner in the incredible EVolveSkills national project with Achēv and look forward to providing pathways for individuals to be a part of Canada’s #greeneconomy!

Tax season is almost here! Have questions about filing your T2 corporation tax return as a #smallbusinessowner? This workshop, led by Canada Revenue Agency - Agence du revenu du Canada professionals, will guide you through: 📝 Understanding and claiming business tax deductions 📝 Avoiding frequent tax filing mistakes 📝 Leveraging CRA tools and resources to simplify the process 📝 Adopting effective bookkeeping practices to stay organized Join us on Thursday, March 13, 2025, 1:30–3:30 pm at Surrey Central Library, Room 418. To register, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gZgRwekk #SurreyBC #ForPeopleForCommunities #tax #taxes #taxes2025 #information #taxinfo #workshop

Our Women’s Leadership Forum is just a few weeks away on Thursday, March 6. Karen Dosanjh is one of our inspirational panelists. She is a trailblazer in the Marketing, Public Relations and Communications industry in Canada. Throughout her remarkable 30-year career, Karen has overcome both gender and cultural barriers to reach new heights in the business & technology sector. In 2023, Karen was named a BC Business “Women of the Year” in the “Entrepreneurial Leader” category and is the first woman of Punjabi heritage to be featured on the cover of the magazine. In 2024, Karen was named a finalist for the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in the Business & Professions Category. In May 2020, she wrote Untold Stories: The South Asian Pioneer Experience in BC, which shines the light on the experience of the first wave of Sikh settlers from India to Canada in the early 1900s. In 2022, Karen partnered with SikhLens to produce a film, Hidden Histories: The Sikh Migration Path to Canada. How are you marking International Women’s Day? We invite you to learn more about our panelists at DIVERSEcity x Minerva BC's 2025 Women’s Leadership Forum. Learn more and secure your spot today! www.dcrs.ca/women   #IWF #IWF2025 #internationalwomensday #ForPeopleForCommunities #minervabc Neelam Sahota, FCPA, FCGA, ICD.D Tina Strehlke

Are you a youth between the ages of 15–30? Kickstart your career with this free, six-week program that starts tomorrow Monday, February 24, 2025! Develop your job skills and confidence by joining our Future Leaders Youth Employment Program! This FREE six-week program will help you: 💼 Explore different career options 💼 Improve your job search skills, including resumé writing and interview preparation 💼 Learn about workplace readiness, financial literacy, wellness and mindfulness 💼 Access one-on-one coaching and mentoring, including with industry professionals 💼 Connect to further training and short-term certifications 💼 Get job placement support after the program 💼 Plus, earn a living allowance and completion bonuses! From 9 am – 3 pm (two days in person and two days online weekly), advance your skills that will help your future career! Find out more at www.dcrs.ca/youthjobs or contact youthjobs@dcrs.ca #ForPeopleForCommunities #youth #employment

Need help filing your income #taxes? DIVERSEcity is hosting FREE income tax clinics between February 24 and April 16, 2025, to help you prepare and file your tax return. Connect with a DIVERSEcity volunteer, trained by the Canada Revenue Agency - Agence du revenu du Canada. Sessions take place at DIVERSEcity Surrey Community Campus and various Surrey Libraries locations. Who’s eligible? Residents of Canada for tax purposes (living in Surrey, Langley, Delta and White Rock) with a modest family income of $35,000 for one person, to $52,500 for more than five people. + Investment income less than $1,000. No business or rental income, self-employment income, capital gains or losses, bankruptcy or deceased person filings. For more information on dates and locations, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gb6J9hR #SurreyBC #ForPeopleForCommunities #taxes #taxes2025 #taxclinic #free #tax