Wherever you come from, whatever your background, you害羞草研究所檙e welcome here.

That害羞草研究所檚 the story told in laughs and smiles as grandparents carried grandkids on their shoulders and family and new friends shared their cultures, stories, dances and food. Nearly 150 people gathered at the Coldstream Community Hall Thursday night, Oct. 26, to celebrate families of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program, and the community is stronger for it.

害羞草研究所淭onight is a celebration of diversity and the richness that immigrants bring to our community. It is also a celebration of the courage it takes to embark on a journey to a new place,害羞草研究所� said Leigha Horsfield, executive director of Community Futures North Okanagan, after a welcome from Pauline Archachan and Amber Cardenas of the Okanagan Indian Band. 害羞草研究所淲e value acceptance and unity and believe that our differences make us stronger. By embracing people from all parts of the world, our community benefits.害羞草研究所�

The RNIP program helps rural communities attract skilled immigrants by matching jobseekers with employers and creating a path to permanent residency. Since 2020, 642 vacant jobs have been filled in the North Okanagan and Shuswap by RNIP newcomers. Along with primary candidates害羞草研究所� family members, 1,279 newcomers now call the North Okanagan and Shuswap home.

Standing in front of the microphone with tears welling in her eyes, Krista Frasz has seen first-hand the impact the program has had on local businesses and the families welcomed through the program.

The director of HR at Predator Ridge, Frasz has hired 11 skilled workers from across the globe through the program. She害羞草研究所檚 helped newcomers search for apartments and shared in the excitement as family members reunite in their new home.

害羞草研究所淔or me, what the RNIP means is the individuals attached to it, the connections we害羞草研究所檝e made and the chance to be a part of this journey,害羞草研究所� said Frasz. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 incredibly grateful. It害羞草研究所檚 been a wonderful experience. Our lives will forever be different because of it.害羞草研究所�

From the beginning, the RNIP program sought to welcome newcomers to rural communities and encourage retention. In a survey conducted this summer, Horsfield says, nearly 90 per cent of candidates have stayed in the region after receiving permanent residency.

Harwinder Sandhu, Vernon-Monashee MLA, shared her own experience of moving to small-town B.C. in the middle of winter 25 years ago, and the powerful impact of immigration on the community.

害羞草研究所淚mmigrants are part of the solution,害羞草研究所� says Sandhu. 害羞草研究所淏e proud of who you are. You help make Canada害羞草研究所檚 fabric beautiful.害羞草研究所�

For Mandeep Kaur, there害羞草研究所檚 no place she害羞草研究所檇 rather call home. A worker at Namaste Indian Restaurant in Vernon, Kaur recently received permanent residency. Her daughters Parneet and Tavleen say they害羞草研究所檙e making friends and enjoying school in Canada.

害羞草研究所淭he people have been very helpful. We love this new way to live,害羞草研究所� says Kaur. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e very happy here.害羞草研究所�

The RNIP is made possible through funding from the Government and Canada and the Province of British Columbia.