Welcome to the Local Immigration Partnership for Chilliwack and the Upper Fraser Valley
On this page, you’ll discover the heart and history behind the Chilliwack Local Immigration Partnership (LIP), a cornerstone of community development and newcomer integration.
Learn about our journey, the principles guiding our mission, and meet the passionate team dedicated to making Chilliwack a place where everyone belongs.
Our History
2013
Chilliwack Community Services began delivering the provincially funded “Welcoming Communities Program” in order to identify and remove barriers to settlement and connection for newcomers.
• 10 community partnerships established
2014
Provincial contract ends and celebrating success begins! Check out this video to see the work that was accomplished.
• First research published in partnership with University of Fraser Valley
2015-PRESENT
Now federally funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Chilliwack Local Immigration Partnership continues to contribute to welcoming and collaborative community.
• Gathering hosted for Syrian refugee sponsors
• Research Publications
• Employment Service Providers Network
• Annual Public Forum
Our Guiding Principals
WE COMMIT TO
Raise awareness of services for newcomers in Chilliwack while building relationships and connections across the community.
WE ENVISION
Our community as a place to belong – for everyone.
LIP recognizes the imperative of fostering meaningful connections between Indigenous community members and Newcomers to unceded, traditional Stó:lō territory. We are committed to working towards the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.
Our Goals
These goals reflect our commitment to developing a community where everyone has the opportunity to feel connected, supported, and part of the vibrant tapestry that is Chilliwack.
Achieve Better Outcomes for Newcomers
Support Economic and Social Growth
Foster Community Engagement
Ensure Accessible Services
Build a Welcoming Community
meet our team
Jeanne Manire
LIP – coordinator
Jeanne was born in Phoenix, Arizona and immigrated to Canada in 1997.
She has worked with non-profit organizations with a focus on developing community, particularly with newcomers, for the past 25 years.
Her work has taken her to Saskatchewan and British Columbia as well as Moscow, Russia.
She has recently settled in Chilliwack with her husband, two dogs and is thankful to have her grown kids close by.
She loves the beauty of Chilliwack and can often be found in a kayak on Cultus Lake.
Bridget Finlay
Indigenous Liason
Bridget Findlay is from Chicago, Illinois. Her parents and grandparents were from Alabama. Her ancestry is European and Creek Native American.
She is a mother of two: Brian, her 30-year-old son and Shelby, her 28-year-old daughter.She also has a 6 ½-year-old granddaughter, Octavia, who is Shelby’s little girl.
Bridget works with Chilliwack Community Services Local Immigration Partnerships (LIP) program as an Indigenous liaison.
As the LIP Indigenous liaison, Bridget works at engaging the Indigenous community and developing relationships between Indigenous peoples, newcomers, and the whole community.
Kim Reddicopp
Special Projects
Kim Reddicopp was born and raised in the Fraser Valley. She has worked for various non-profits for 6 years, and specifically in the settlement sector for 2 years.
Kim works with Chilliwack Community Services Local Immigration Partnerships (LIP) program in the role of Special Projects, dedicating time to organizing events and resources that are helpful to making our communities welcoming to newcomers.
She is dedicated to building community and connecting with nature, spending much of her time outdoors gardening, hiking, or paddleboarding.
