CultureLinks Co-op
CLC is a worker co-operative established by a group of internationally educated professionals, with the aim of bridging language barriers, fostering cross-cultural connection, and enabling newcomers to achieve their full potential in Canada. Our professional services offering includes translation, interpretation, multi-lingual event management, online and in-person communications solutions, and community-based language assistance services.
CLC is collectively owned and democratically managed by members from a variety of cultures, genders, religions, educational and professional backgrounds. Together, we combine our diverse skills and knowledge to provide high-quality services and innovative solutions to help build a thriving, and resilient society in which individuals and institutions from across cultures are connected, critical information is accessible, and equitable access to resources is ensured.
History
CLC was formed out of the In Our Hands Newcomer Co-op Development program run by the BC Co-operative Association.
Originally, multi-lingual newcomer professionals were contracted individually to provide translation and interpretation services for the In Our Hands program, but the group quickly realized the potential of working together to create a unique intercultural services company that is owned and operated by newcomers.
Work Together, Profit Together, Grow Together!
Vision
A society in which everyone — including immigrants — enjoys socio-economic and cultural inclusion, has equal access to local resources and is afforded fair opportunities.
Mission
Our mission is to foster cross-cultural connection and support newcomers to thrive in Canada through providing quality translation and interpretation services, facilitating community-building events, and designing innovative multi-lingual communication solutions for individuals, corporations, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and communities.
Our Values
As a co-operative, CLC upholds the universal co-operative values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In addition, we hold the following values to be core to our co-operative.
- Cultural Empowerment: We are passionate about fostering connections, bridging cultural divides, and supporting newcomers in reaching their maximum potential.
- Commitment: Any business that has endured for a long time has built its foundation on accountability, professional integrity, and equity. We work hard every day to build respectful relationships, strong bonds and care for our clients, members, and the communities we serve.
- Mutual Benefit: We aim to create mutually beneficial strategies that all partners, members and clients can commit to and working towards together.
- Innovation: We continuously strive to be the best at what we do and provide first-rate services in order to grow, innovate, and satisfy the changing requirements of our clients and members in a competitive market.
Our Principles
We conduct our service business in accordance with the seven universal cooperative principles that are fundamental to cooperatives all over the globe. These guiding principles set us apart from other translation companies by prioritizing the needs of our members, clients, and the communities we serve.
- Voluntary and Open Membership
- Democratic Member Control
- Member Economic Participation
- Autonomy and Independence
- Education, Training, and Information
- Co-operation among Co-operatives
- Concern for Community
Our community members and clients are a crucial part of our service model. At CLC, our members actively participate in enhancing the management of the company in their roles as co-owners of the company, key decision-makers with voting rights, and employees. The one member, one vote guiding concept is also upheld by members by having representation on the board of directors and receiving one vote each. Through our business services, we work together to interact, overcome cultural gaps, make local investments, and above else, foster the long-term growth of our clients and members. All seven of those generally recognized principles were incorporated into our own set of cooperative principles, which serve as the cornerstone of everything we do as below.
- Together we learn, grow, and make greater impact.
- Solidarity among people of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
- Community embeddedness through a community-based service approach.
- Empowerment through removing barriers, bridging culture divides, and helping people connect to resources, information, and opportunities.
- Inclusive design of services that work for people of all cultures, religions, countries of origin, and genders.
- Building up equity and inclusion by cultivating a sense of belonging, power and pride.
Team Members
Razan Allaham
Razan is a talented and passionate artist who was born in Saudi Arabia but is originally from Syria, She holds a degree in English Literature from Damascus University, which has helped her develop a love for reading and writing in both Arabic and English.
Nick Zrazh
He is a talented and energetic person with a diverse background. Originally from Ukraine, Nick moved to Canada in 2022 because of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the war in Ukraine. Nick has a Master's degree in English, Greek, and Literature from Mariupol State University.
Khudadad Bisharat
Born in Afghanistan and raised in a multicultural environment, a Persian speaker from the Hazara community. He holds M.A. in Development studies. Mr. Bisharat has a firm belief that cultural diversity is a source of strength and innovation rather than a barrier.
Max Yenin
Max originally comes from a small village in Ukraine. In 2022, Max and Nick made a brave decision to relocate to Canada. Max's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in English from Mariupol State University. He also studied German there. Max is passionate about IT and computer games, and he runs his own graphic design studio.
Iva Jankovic
Born in Serbia, raised in Vancouver, Iva brings to the team a familiarity with both the newcomer and the Canadian experience, as well as a strong background in co-operative management, business and partnership development, and strategy. She is a co-operative developer at the BC Co-operative Association and manager of the In Our Hands Newcomer Co-op Development program. She speaks Serbian, Spanish, and English.