BC Recreation & Parks Association (BCRPA), in partnership with BCAHL and with support from the Province of British Columbia, is thrilled to announce the official launch of the Pathways to Belonging program.
What is Pathways to Belonging
Pathways to Belonging is a training program designed to build, deepen, and reinforce IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) aligned practices across the recreation, parks, culture, and physical activity sector.
Created for professionals at all stages of their IDEA journey, this program offers meaningful opportunities to reflect, learn, and grow, both individually and collectively.
Inside the Program
The training consists of six online modules, each paired with a live, in-person, or virtual facilitated discussion, led by trained leaders from communities across BC. These sessions create space for participants to expand their learning, explore key topics, and engage in important conversations at the local level.
Our 22 trained leaders in all eight regions across BC are excited to work with you and your teams as part of this training. Their leadership ensures that learning is grounded in community context and shared experience.
What People Are Saying
“Advancing IDEA at this moment is about safeguarding community cohesion, countering exclusionary narratives, and ensuring these spaces continue to serve as accessible, welcoming anchors for everyone, especially those most impacted by uncertainty and division.” – Trish Mandewo, Founder & CEO, Synergy Executive and Boards Consulting Group and Pathways to Belonging Curriculum Developer
“We’ve only done the first two sessions in the program” says Miranda about leading Pathways to Belonging, “But some of the questions that are coming from the participants have already opened my eyes [about] how I can make a difference with my staff through this training and where we can go with it.” – Stacey Miranda, Williams Lake Director of Community Services
Fulfilling Our Commitments
Advancing belonging and IDEA-aligned practices is one of BCRPA’s four key commitments, reflecting a strong and ongoing dedication to strengthening inclusion, diversity, equity, and access across the sector.
We are grateful to those of you who have joined us on this journey, sharing your experiences, insights, and expertise through focus groups and survey responses last year. Your contributions have directly informed the development of the Pathways to Belonging training, ensuring it reflects the real needs, challenges, and opportunities within communities across British Columbia.
Opportunities to Learn More
You’ll have the opportunity to dive deeper into Pathways to Belonging at BCRPA Symposium: Healthier, Together in Vancouver, taking place April 28 to May 1.
Join the Wednesday morning Belonging Dialogue to hear directly from the program’s content developer, Trish Mandewo, as she shares practical tools, key learnings, and real-world applications to support your organization and community.
The preliminary cohort for Pathways to Belonging will start in the spring. Registration for the first cohort will open in the summer, with training beginning in September.
