Recently, a situation came to the attention of Evangeline MacDonald, Safe Harbour Program community coordinator, where a customer was being racially abusive to a staff person at a local store.
Community members, colleagues and management handled a difficult and challenging discrimination situation with the utmost professionalism. “It is so important to celebrate diversity champions, members of our community who are willing to stand up against racism and discrimination,” explained MacDonald.
Diversity champions are seen every day in Powell River through the smallest acts of kindness and compassion. In the situation that occurred in the local store, customers banded together in support of a person who was taking racial abuse from another customer. “What I was listening to made me sick to my stomach,” said an anonymous bystander. “Everyone should be treated equitably in the community regardless of skin colour, religious background or for any other reason. We are all unique in our own way and I was appalled to see that there are still people in the community who act so blatantly racial.”
The Safe Harbour Program, administered by Powell River Employment Program (PREP) Society, supports a diverse workforce and can offer support, resources and training to any business or organization. “When incidents like this are witnessed it affects everyone, not just the person being discriminated against,” said MacDonald. There are approximately 1,000 Safe Harbour certified locations throughout Canada because managers and owners see the benefits of supporting diversity.
A business can take a lead step by announcing its mandate to ensure diversity and inclusion are part of the company’s culture. It is these small things that become so big and important. One racial act can create an opportunity for learning and growth for customers and staff. Everyone can be involved with stepping forward in support of somebody victimized by racism, and make it clear that Powell River is an inclusive and welcoming town.
Safe Harbour locations show themselves as diversity leaders by supporting the diverse needs of employees and modeling appropriate responses to community discrimination. MacDonald works with businesses and organizations in the Powell River region to offer diversity training through Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Services Agencies (AMSSA) of BC’s Safe Harbour Respect for All program. There are 27 locations around town that have completed the two- to three-hour workshop.
AMSSA is a provincially-funded initiative that provides support to businesses and community organizations to grow respect for all people within a diverse province. Participants in the Safe Harbour Program demonstrate the qualities that make for diversity champions in communities.
For more information about the Safe Harbour Program and to receive a free introductory diversity training readers can contact MacDonald at the PREP Society, 604.485.2004.
