Interconnectedness Initiative
The Interconnectedness Initiative brings together 12 mental health and settlement services agencies across Greater Victoria and Metro Vancouver to support surivivors of torture and their families.
As a coalition of agencies and individuals responding to the needs of survivors, VCST’s Interconnectedness Initiative works to increase public awareness of survivors in our communities. Our participatory action research (PAR) informs sector-wide strategies for systemic change, while our collaborative professional events share knowledge and foster trust within our community of member organizations.
Working in community
The agencies we’re proud to work alongside include:
- The Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture (VAST)
- Vancouver Island Counseling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees (VICCIR)
- DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society (DCRS)
- Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC)
- Inter-Cultural Association (ICA)
- Rainbow Refugee
- Anglican Diocese of Islands and Inlets – Refugee Program
- Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre (VIRCS)
- Victoria Sexual Assault Centre
- Men’s Therapy Centre
- Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society (CVIMS)
- Cowichan Intercultural Society (CIS)
RECAP: Making Healthcare More Accessible for Immigrants & Refugees
Building Connections between Settlement Workers & Healthcare Providers in Victoria, BC With Haley Smith (ICA) and Sein Youn (DVUPCC) Summary Report The Victoria Coalition for Survivors of Torture (VCST) hosted…
Background Paper: Drug Trafficking, Substance Use, Immigrants and Refugees
Despite decades of global drug control efforts, primarily led by the US throughout the 20th century and more specifically in the 1970s (also known as the “War on Drugs”), illicit…
A conversation with Dr. Nancy Clark & Alejandro Argüelles Bullón, February 27th
Integrated Mental Health Care for Refugees: What works, for whom and why.
Seminar: Making Healthcare More Accessible for Immigrants & Refugees
Thursday November 20, 2025, 10am to 12pm Where: Online, Zoom Who: Workers in settlement, counselling, mental health, healthcare, and any other sector that works with immigrants and refugees RSVP: info [at]…
Why is VCST no longer using the term “stakeholder”?
If you have been keeping up with VCST’s communications via our website and our social media, you may have noticed a slight change in how we talk about the work…
VCST receives grant from the Victoria Foundation
It is thanks to the Victoria Foundation that we can launch Phase IV of our initiative.
Funded by the Victoria Foundation
