Come out to celebrate the neighbourhood! There will be free food, fun and games for all ages, live music, permaculture gardening workshops, build a cob chair, a road hockey tournament, and so much more. This is a family friendly alcohol-free event, so come out and meet your neighbours.

Last year, Social Planning Cowichan surveyed the Beverly Alexander neighbourhood about things that they would like to see happen in thier community. The most common answer was that people wanted to get to know thier neighbours. Because of the feedback, this event was built. Many have helped to plan this event to create a fun way for everyone to get to know each other.

Partners at Social Planning Cowichan, Warmland, Collective Space, Canadian Mental Health Association Cowichan Valley, the Cowichan Intercultural Society and Cowichan Housing Association have been colloborating with many others to organize this celebration of the neighbourhood. Along with many of the fun activities mentioned above, there will be a gardening workshop and a chance to make your mark on your community by creating a handprint mural.

Main Stage Schdeule from 4pm to 8pm!
– 4 :00: Opening Circle and Drumming by Robert George
– 4:30: Terry Wicks live looping instrumentals
– 5:00: MIKA drum and live electronic song creation with special guests
– 5:30: Storytelling and song by Cocokami Wing, local storyteller extraordinaire!
– 6:00: the Stay at Home Dads
– 6:30: Chemainus Community Band!
– 7:00: MATTERIC: Matthew Kinunen
– 7:30: the Stay at Home Dads
– 8:00: Closing circle and sound

Workshops and offerings starting at 4pm onwards:

– Clay chair and rocket stove building workshop with Pat Amos at Warmland Gardens
– Food Forest workshop at Warmland Gardens
– Social Permaculture Workshop on community connection!
– BikeWorks funky bicycle display and offering!
– Wind Chime and Tubular Bell making experience workshop
– Multiple art workshops, mural creations, for all ages!
– High-paced Floor Hockey Tournament!
– Free food by Warmland chefs and local farmers!
– Much more! Come and find out!

More activities and details will be added, so check back for more updates!

The location is from 2557 Beverly St, Duncan (School Board office on York). Parking is available at Quamichan Campus and Alexander Elementary School.

From: 11:00am-12:00pm.

*Do to high demand we are adding another workshop from 12:00pm-1:00pm!*

The We Speak Translate project is a first of its kind collaboration between Google Translate and the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) utilizing the Google Translate app for refugee resettlement and newcomer inclusion in communities.

Upon completion of the 40-minute training, participants receive a We Speak Translate decal, a visible symbol of inclusion and commitment to promoting diversity and communication across language barriers. Familiarity with the Google Translate app establishes a common platform for communication while newcomers develop their English language skills.

Google is humbled and excited to be supporting this project with the goal of helping new Canadians make the often challenging transition to life in Canada through language and engagement – Roque Silva, Interaction Designer, Google Translate

Training Goals & Benefits:

1. Encourage welcoming communities that value diversity, inclusion and integration.
2. Become familiar with the Google Translate app (free, downloadable app for smartphones and tablets).
3. Establish a common platform for communication with newcomers while English language skills develop.

Workshop Format:

1. Introduction and overview of project/objective
2. Google Translate training presentation
3. Explore the capacity of the Google Translate app
4. Learn how to effectively use the Google Translate app
5. Interact with the app
6. Distribution of We Speak Translate decals

We Speak Translate Training Facilitator:

Kate Longpre is the Community Integration Coordinator at ICA. Kate works strategically across sectors to ensure that resettled refugees entering the Greater Victoria area are successfully integrated into welcoming communities. Kate approached Google Translate in September 2016 with the idea for the We Speak Translate project. In April 2017 the project launched in Victoria, BC, the first location worldwide to initiate the project.

Project website: http://www.icavictoria.org/community/we-speak-translate/

Project Instagram: wespeaktranslateica

Project Media:

http://www.vicnews.com/news/local-cultural-association-breaking-down-language-barriers-for-newcomers/

http://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1096563

http://www.cheknews.ca/theres-an-app-for-that-google-translate-launches-pilot-project-in-victoria-299374/

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/google-translate-enlisted-to-help-victoria-businesses-serve-immigrants-1.13963730

http://citiesofmigration.ca/good_idea/we-speak-translate/

http://citiesofmigration.ca/webinar/wespeaktranslate/

 

FAQs

What should I bring into the event?

Please bring your smartphone or tablet.

How can I contact the training facilitator with any questions?

Please feel free to contact Kate Longpre, ICA Community Integration Coordinator, klongpre@icavictoria.org or 250-388-4728 ext. 167.

Click here to read our 2016-2017 Annual Report.  This document outlines all of our programs, initiatives and accomplishments in the past fiscal year.  Click here to access previous year’s annual reports as well as this year’s for future reference. As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions or to learn more about our […]