Everyone needs to feel like they belong in our downtown neighbourhood – residents, non profits, businesses and unhoused community members – and this project will work towards that. It envisions a downtown New Westminster where everyone feels they belong – where connections are strong and support is available.
About the Will You Be My Neighbour Project:
In early 2024, New Westminster was selected to participate in Tamarack’s Circle of Actions Project (CoA), supporting the foundation for a national Belonging Strategy. Starting in March, representatives from 13 project teams across Canada met monthly to hear global speakers, share best practices, and envision belonging in their communities. By September, teams were developing strategies and testing activities based on their learnings. While the CoA project has concluded, the work of fostering belonging in the community is just beginning.
In New Westminster, our team included representatives from Fraser Health, the NW Homelessness Coalition Society, the Downtown BIA, City Social Planners, the Lower Mainland Purpose Society, and Community Action Network (CAN) New West leaders. The Downtown Residents Association, though not part of the CoA project, also supported the work. United by concern for the Downtown neighbourhood—the issues on the street, divisiveness, and lack of community engagement—we aimed to create a space where everyone belonged: residents, nonprofits, businesses, and unhoused community members. Our goal was to shift the narrative from a deficit-based view to one of possibility and connection.
Big aspirations, indeed! To start, we focused on small, tangible ways to bring people together. Enter the Will You Be My Neighbour (WYBMN) project. The goals were to spark conversations about belonging, identify diverse community connectors who could act as bridge builders in the community, and build community – one story, one moment, one neighbour at a time. We started by engaging the community in fun activities, raising awareness around belonging through a Belonging Inform, Engage and Advocate issue.
We’ve also launched the Downtown New Westminster Community Asset Map.
this summer we will be hosting the New West Community Belonging Challenge. Stay tuned for more information.
What’s on the Horizon?
Possible expansion of WYBMN into the Uptown neighbourhood: We are currently awaiting the outcome of a grant application. If successful, we will be recruiting Community Connectors and working in partnership with the New West Neighbourhood House to expand WYBMN into Uptown.
Join the Movement to Build a Belonging Strategy!
Join the Tamarack Institute in advocating for a plan that puts community belonging at the heart of conversations about the economy and quality of life. By signing the pledge, you support a more inclusive, connected Canada where everyone belongs. Individuals and organizations are welcome to sign, and no further action is required beyond your endorsement.
At the April 10, 2025, New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society Board meeting, the Board unanimously supported becoming a signatory!
At the May 09, 2025, WINS Local Immigration Partnership Council Meeting, their Belonging Working Group requested that the Council support the call. It was unanimously approved!
Did you know “Community Belonging and Connecting” is one of the City’s strategic priorities for 2023-2026?
One of the objectives is that “People feel belonging through a shared sense of connection and identification with others. They feel accepted, included, and supported, and feel a sense of responsibility and commitment to the well-being of the community as a whole.” You can learn more about this priority here.
“Belonging isn’t just a feeling – it’s an important determinant of health. When communities are connected; they thrive, creating spaces where everyone can flourish.”
Natalie Johnston, Community Health Specialist, Fraser Health
Did you know that the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society’s Vision is “a connected and compassionate community where everyone belongs”?
“We are two generations away from knowing how to be a good neighbour”.
Barry Braun, Happy Communities Project, Nova Scotia
The WYBMN project is being undertaken as a communication, engagement and involvement strategy connected to the CNW Homelessness Action Strategy, and supports the CNW Community Belonging and Connecting priority.
