Building inclusive communities

What can communities do to actively welcome newcomers and help them acclimate to their new home? Social Fabric Institute’s interest in building inclusive communities means the company works with government departments and agencies, non-profits, and other newcomer-facing organizations to increase understanding of cultural change and integration best practices. A particular focus of Social Fabric Institute’s work is inclusion in smaller urban centres and municipalities.

Why strive for inclusivity

Diversity is an asset to communities and individual organizations. The unique perspectives and skill sets newcomers bring to a community are an asset that can benefit the whole, but only if appropriate efforts are made to create inclusive practices and policies to include and embrace newcomers.

Social Fabric Institute Inc. works with communities or organizations that are not currently welcoming to newcomers, or communities or organizations that do not understand newcomer/immigrant experiences or perspectives. The aim of this work is to lessen the social distance between newcomers and more established community members and to foster greater understanding between groups.

What you will experience

How Social Fabric Institute engages with a particular organization or government body depends on the state of inclusivity in the community. Among the tools Social Fabric Institute uses are:

• Community consultations

• Community research 

• Inclusivity training and facilitation

• Newcomer panels