Umbrella Multicultural Health Cooperative

04/27/2026

Last week, during National Volunteer Week, the Umbrella Babies group came together to celebrate Lau Valadez, Umbrella Co-op's long-term volunteer, for her meaningful contributions. Laura’s warmth, consistency, and genuine care have helped create a welcoming space where families feel supported and connected. Her presence has become an integral part of the group, and we are grateful for the time and heart she continues to give to our community.

Laura supports mothers in their first language, contributing to a culturally safe and inclusive space where families feel understood, respected, and supported.

04/15/2026

We’re proud to see Dr. Mei-ling Wiedmeyer, Clinical Lead at Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op, featured on the Primary Focus with Dr. Tara Kiran podcast.

In this episode, Dr. Mei-ling shares insights into Umbrella’s community-driven model of care that began with a mobile clinic for migrant farmworkers and has grown into a comprehensive community governed Community Health Centre grounded in equity and cultural safety.

A key focus of the conversation is Umbrella's Cross-Cultural Health Broker model, an approach that goes beyond interpretation to bridge language, culture, and system navigation, ensuring care is not only accessible, but truly understood and effective for the communities we serve.

At Umbrella, we continue to learn, adapt, and contribute to shaping a primary care system that is accountable to the communities it serves.

Listen to the full episode here:
https://lnkd.in/g7F9baGv

03/29/2026

This Saturday, our Cross-Cultural Health Brokers came together to contribute their frontline expertise to a consultation on dental care for families and children.

At Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op, this work is grounded in years of supporting communities facing language, cultural, and systemic barriers to care. Today, those insights are being brought forward to help shape more accessible and culturally responsive approaches.

The discussion is being facilitated by Gayle Farrell and Kate Spezowka from Siena Consulting. Brittney Udall from BC Children's Hospital participating as the Access and Navigation Lead for the Provincial Dental Project.

02/04/2026

02/04/2026

We were pleased to welcome BC Minister of Health Josie Osborne, BC Minister of Labour Jennifer Whiteside, and Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Care Access Stephanie Higginson, MLA for Ladysmith-Oceanside to Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op.

During the visit, our team shared how Umbrella Co-op delivers community-governed, culturally responsive primary care for people who face language, cultural, and systemic barriers to accessing health services. Through team-based care, cross-cultural health brokering, and strong community partnerships, we work every day to improve access, continuity, and trust in the health system.

As a community-governed, community health centre, Umbrella Co-op is accountable to the communities we serve and remains committed to strengthening primary care by responding to evolving community needs and advancing accessible, culturally responsive care in practice.

We deeply appreciate the time and engagement with our team and value ongoing collaboration to ensure people in British Columbia can access safe, timely, and culturally appropriate care.

02/02/2026

This evening, we came together for opening greetings ahead of the Western Canada Cultural Brokers Gathering, which officially begins tomorrow. Cultural brokers and community practitioners from across sectors, including settlement, healthcare, legal, and social services, have gathered from three Western Canadian provinces on the unceded territory of the Musqueam people at UBC. Participants were welcomed by the leadership of the three partner organizations in the National Cultural Brokers Project: Zarghoona A. Wakil, Executive Director of Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op; Dr. Sara Torres from Laurentian University; and Traicy Robertson, Specialist, Partnerships and Innovation, Manitoba Possible. This gathering reflects a shared commitment to equity, reconciliation, inclusive learning, and bridging systems. We look forward to the connection and collective work ahead.

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from all of us at Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op! Wishing you joy, health, and connection this season.

11/05/2025

We are proud to share that Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op’s Executive Director, Zarghoona Wakil, was warmly welcomed by Hon. Minister Jennifer Whiteside at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.

Minister Whiteside recognized Umbrella Co-op’s leadership and impact in advancing equitable, culturally safe, and community-driven health care for cultural communities and farm workers in B.C.

We are grateful for this acknowledgment and for the opportunity to see Umbella's vision and commitment celebrated at the provincial level.

On this day, our Executive Director joined the British Columbia Association for Community Health Centres (BCACHC) at the BC Legislature’s Lobby Day to advocate for the vital role of 38 Community Health Centres providing accessible and equitable care across the province.

10/25/2025

Thank you, Minister Jennifer Whiteside, for joining us and for your kind words about Umbrella’s work!

We deeply appreciate your recognition and support as we continue advancing equitable, culturally safe health care for all.

10/25/2025

We are deeply grateful for the incredible turnout at Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op’s 15th Anniversary Celebration!

It was an honour to celebrate this milestone alongside community members, partner organizations, First Nations leaders, elected officials, including Hon. Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Labour, and Hon. Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the BC Legislative Assembly, as well as Umbrella’s founders, board members, and staff.

Together, we reflected on Umbrella’s journey from 2010 to today- beginning as a small cooperative to a vibrant community health centre providing primary care, mental health services, health promotion, and support for the social determinants of health while expanding our impact both locally and nationally through initiatives like the National Cultural Brokers Project, supporting and advocating for cultural brokers across Canada.

We were humbled to receive letters of appreciation from the BC Legislative Assembly, community partners, and the people we serve, reaffirming our shared commitment to advancing equitable, culturally safe care.

Here’s to the next chapter of collaboration, compassion, and community health!



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09/23/2025

Our recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) was a wonderful gathering of members, staff, and board, coming together to reflect on a year of growth, impact, and shared purpose.

Highlights from the AGM:

- Reviewed our annual report and financial statements

- Welcomed three new board members

- Shared our vision for the year ahead

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to support our mission of providing culturally safe, community-driven health care. Together, we’re building a healthier and more equitable future.