The Thompson Okanagan Respect Network鈥檚 anti-racism initiative to make Okanagan communities safer and more inclusive has received funding support.

The network has received $35,000 in funding through the B.C. Organizing Against Racism and Hate (OARH) program to continue developing anti-racism programming throughout the Okanagan.

The Thompson Okanagan Respect Network is a partnership between organizations located in Penticton, 91大黄鸭, Vernon, Salmon Arm and Kamloops.

鈥淚n building a strong community foundation, the Thompson Okanagan Respect Network has taken the first important step to addressing racism,鈥� said Ravi Kahlon, parliamentary secretary for sport and multiculturalism.

鈥淚 applaud these organizations for joining together and encouraging people and communities to learn about, understand and combat racism.鈥�

The Thompson Okanagan Respect Network鈥檚 vision is emboldened in educational programs, workshops and events focused on promoting the value of diversity and multiculturalism.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an honour to work together and bring inspirational speakers, workshops and events to the residents of our region,鈥� said Annette Sharkey, executive director of the Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan.

鈥淎 good example of our work was the 鈥楻espect Lives Here鈥� play delivered to middle school students in each community in the network. This couldn鈥檛 have been done without community collaboration.鈥�

The Thompson Okanagan Respect Network organizations include: South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services, KCR Community Resources, Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan, and the Shuswap Settlement Services Society.

A total of $224,000 in funding is being distributed to 32 community organizations through the OARH program in 2018.

OARH funds connect community anti-racism networks at the local level, which encourages opportunities for collaborative, community-based programs throughout the province.

Funded organizations create community engagement activities for outreach, educational opportunities and workshops to challenge racism and barriers to full inclusion.

British Columbia鈥檚 Multiculturalism Act was created in 1993 to recognize the diversity of British Columbians, encourage respect for the province鈥檚 multicultural heritage, promote racial harmony and foster a society without barriers to inclusion.