I was reflecting recently on the journey VLIP has taken since 2022, and I felt a deep sense of satisfaction in how far we’ve come. What began as a small seed of a vision has grown into a living ecosystem—one where relationships have been nurtured, trust has been built, and collaboration has become our strongest foundation.
In the early days, VLIP was like a seedling finding its place within a complex service ecosystem. Our work was foundational, focused on building trust with partners and creating a shared understanding of what newcomer inclusion means in Vancouver. We spent time mapping the settlement landscape, identifying gaps, and creating spaces where service providers, community organizations, institutions, and systems leaders could come together to listen and be heard. These early conversations were not always easy, but they were essential—because they laid the groundwork of relationships and trust that would carry us forward.
As VLIP grew, the work began to change shape. We moved from simply convening conversations to being more intentional about impact. Strategic working groups formed, priorities became clearer, and initiatives started to take root. Knowledge-sharing forums, community- and research-informed discussions, and collaborative planning became part of our daily practice. During this phase, VLIP began to evolve from a convener of conversations to a co-creator of solutions—guided not only by data, but by the lived experiences of newcomers and the communities we serve.
Now, as VLIP enters a more mature stage, it feels as though we have moved into a new season of growth. VLIP is no longer just a platform for dialogue; it has become a meaningful space for cross-sector collaboration. Our focus has expanded beyond identifying challenges to sustaining partnerships, embedding equity-informed approaches such as GBA Plus, and supporting innovative models that respond to the changing realities of newcomers.
At the heart of this evolution is VLIP’s Co-Lab learning model, which brings together:newcomers and community leaders
settlement service providers and partners beyond the sector
institutional partners
researchers and policy-makersLooking back, what stands out most is how VLIP has grown from vision into practice. We began with relationships and listening, and through shared learning and collaboration, we have built something enduring.
And as we look ahead, I feel confident that our work will continue to evolve, deepen, and strengthen the collective impact we can achieve—together.

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The Vancouver Local Immigration Partnership (VLIP) is group of like-minded organizations and individuals, from diverse experiences and a variety of sectors, that come together to:

• Collaborate, innovate, and implement strategies aimed at improving access to resources and services.
• Help newcomers to thrive in Vancouver.

Territorial Land Acknowledgement with Gratitude:

In the spirit of Truth & Reconciliation, the Vancouver Local Immigration Partnership recognizes that our collective work is carried out on the traditional, ancestral, unceded and occupied territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
 

Vancouver Local Immigration Partnership values and respects the history and legacy of Coast Salish peoples’ knowledge through ongoing contributions towards building our futures together.