The Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership (CK LIP) brings together community partners to develop and support the implementation of local settlement strategies. Members of the CK LIP form a Partnership Council, which provides a collaborative framework towards the development of coordinated, comprehensive and strategic approaches to immigration and integration that fits the needs of Chatham-Kent's immigrants, employers, and service providers. The Partnership Council also looks at ways that community partners can stay connected on newcomer issues on an ongoing basis during and after the implementation of the strategy.
Vision
Chatham-Kent will become a more welcoming, inclusive and vibrant community where every newcomer and immigrant can participate fully, feel they belong, and that their contribution to community life is recognized
Mission
Over the next two years, Chatham-Kent will take coordinated, equity-focused, and anti-racist community action to improve how newcomers and immigrants access employment/self-employment, immigrant-serving supports, and community spaces.
Background
Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) are funded by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to develop and support the implementation of sustainable plans to improve the integration outcomes of newcomers and immigrants to Canada. LIPs engage with community partners across multiple sectors to coordinate services and address immigrant needs.
The Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership (CK LIP) began in 2010 and is a community-driven collaborative project. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is the grant holder with the federal funder, IRCC.
Since 2010, CK LIP has supported:
- Community-level research and strategic community planning,
- Improving coordination of effective services that facilitate immigrant settlement and integration,
- Systematizing local engagement of service providers and other institutions in newcomers' and immigrants' integration process.
CK LIP is a partnership of more than 40 local and regional agencies that work together to foster a welcoming community, which integrates newcomers and immigrants and celebrates diversity in Chatham-Kent. While CK LIP is not a direct service provider, it is an integral component of Chatham-Kent's ability to successfully welcome and retain immigrant talent.
