Vernon Belongs to All of Us

The Community Action Coalition (CAC) is the heart of this project. It is a group of 20 community members — from Indigenous, IBPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, newcomer, and youth communities — who will meet regularly to lead anti-racism action in the Greater Vernon Area. CAC members will: Represent the voices of marginalized communities in local decision-making Help design and lead community activities, events, and awareness efforts Co-create a Community Action Plan that identifies local needs and solutions Coordinate with local organizations to improve services for marginalized people Guide the project's direction and priorities throughout the year Members are not just participants — they are leaders. The CAC is where real decisions get made.

This project is run by Vernon Immigrant Services, a local community organization — not the government. The project is funded by the federal Government through the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (MARP), but Vernon Immigrant Services is responsible for all activities, decisions, and day-to-day management. Community members — not government officials — lead this work through the Community Action Coalition.

The funded project runs from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 — one full year. One of our key goals is to build something that lasts. We will develop a sustainability plan for the CAC so it can continue operating independently after the funding ends. This means building strong partnerships, developing local leadership, and identifying future funding sources. The goal is for the CAC to become a permanent, self-sustaining community body in Vernon — not a one-year project that disappears.

There are existing organizations in Vernon doing important equity and inclusion work, and we deeply respect and value that work. What is new about this project is the creation of a community-led coalition specifically designed to coordinate and amplify those efforts — bringing diverse voices together under one structure to develop a shared Community Action Plan. This project is designed to complement existing work, not duplicate or compete with it. We will actively build partnerships with organizations already doing this work.

The project was developed by Vernon Immigrant Services based on identified community needs and the requirements of the MARP funding program. A key part of the project is that the Community Action Coalition will have significant input into how the year unfolds — including the design of the Community Action Plan, the priorities for events and workshops, and how resources are allocated. We recognize that community-led means ongoing involvement, not just consultation at the beginning. The CAC's voice will shape this project from the inside.