Community Engagement & Social Equity at Pacific Rim College

This page is being brought forward to initiate an ongoing conversation about being an inclusive and engaged member of the communities you serve.

It is curated to provide a spark for you to contemplate new ideas about how you want to show up in the world as an administrator, practitioner and educator.

Many people who want to access institutions or health services do not succeed because of inherent systemic barriers. Increased awareness about these barriers and the witnessing of collective stories can help us be more mindful in our offerings.

Our role is to continue to provide safe, inclusive spaces of learning and discovery of holistic health practices and to reflect on how we can play a part in dismantling systemic discrimination, particularly in relation to the fields of wellness and sustainability. We are and will continue to work with our instructors and staff to ensure our practices reflect our core values of justice, respect, inclusivity, and compassion.

We invite you to participate in a conversation with us about inclusivity at our school, both at the campus and online. We deeply believe in doing the work that creates change that is valuable and impactful.

If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions surrounding Pacific Rim College’s commitment to community engagement and social equity, write us at admin@pacificrimcollege.com.


PRC in the Community

Red Cedar Cafe & PRC

The Pacific Rim College Permaculture class of 2021 collaborated with Red Cedar Cafe to create an inviting and educational community garden located at 1900 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC.

The garden will supply the cafe with fresh herbs, edible flowers, and vegetables for the daily meals they serve to those in need. The inviting garden will also provide an opportunity for volunteers and local residents to learn about growing food and herbal medicines.

The Red Cedar Cafe is a non-profit meal program for people in need, fueled by volunteers and mutual aid. The organization provides food to those that need it most, including low-income people, seniors, and people living with disabilities. The Red Cedar cafe offers meal delivery, a pay-what-you-can cafe model, and a free food table outside of the restaurant.

This project was led by the Pacific Rim College instructors Liza Couse and Kym Chi with help from Jessica Ash and Liz Maze from Red Cedar. The beautiful garden boxes were built by Interactive Construction. The garden was made possible by the generous donations and contributions of community members, local businesses, and the exuberant students that designed and implemented the project.

Some plants in the garden:

  • Native perennials: Oregon grape, bearberry, yarrow, gumweed
  • Edible flowers: borage, calendula, nasturtium
  • Herbs: rosemary, sage, lavender, holy basil, skullcap, California poppy, lemon balm, mint, basil, oregano, dill, cilantro, parsley
  • Vegetables: tomatoes, hot peppers, lettuce, bok choi
  • And more!


From Our Website


Earlier Messages



Relevant Courses at Pacific Rim College & Pacific Rim College Online

Foundations of Social Equity in Holistic Healthcare (PD132)
On Campus

This course explores how a deeper understanding of social equity can inform and be applied in your practice as a holistic healthcare provider. Topics include an exploration of how structures of power and privilege function in our society and within ourselves, and how these can result in intersectional oppressions and experiences that are as unique as each individual.

The course will include frameworks for understanding these complex processes, as well as personal strategies for building awareness, resilience, and strategies for broader social change. Sub-topics will include trauma-informed practice, Indigenous frameworks and history, and inclusivity of gender and sexual diversity. Each are explored in service of building a broader understanding of the ways we can bring a social equity approach into all therapeutic interactions. Foundational approaches are introduced and explored with the aim of providing long-lasting tools for holistic healthcare practitioners to apply both in their practices and in their own lives.
Patient Communication (PD211)
On Campus

This course provides students with basic principles and techniques towards good patient communication and rapport-building. Topics include connecting with patients, identifying differing sources of motivation in the therapeutic context, working with shock, trauma, and difficult circumstances, sensitivity to varying viewpoints and cultural backgrounds, patient/practitioner roles

This course is designed to be relevant to any healing practitioner, regardless of their modality and helps to ensure effective interprofessional communication with other health care providers.
Inclusiveness in a Clinical Setting (PD213)
On Campus

This course covers the social, genetic, and biochemical factors associated with gender transition, with some discussion of more broad LGBT related topics. An emphasis will be placed on best professional practices, and the specific factors contributing to an inclusive and welcoming therapeutic environment.

A biochemical background will cover the hormonal controls of growth and development in utero, hormone actions and interactions in the body, the genetics of gender, and the mechanisms of action for the most common drugs and herbs associated with transgender patients available in both Canada and the US. Socially, the cultural challenges and impacts on patients will be discussed, along with common concerns, which will be connected to best practices in a therapeutic setting. The intersectional and self-reinforcing natures of discrimination will be addressed, especially in relation to other LGBT-focused topics. The course would be structured to be highly participatory, with students given the opportunity to examine specific questions that may arise both privately and as a class.
Indigenous Land Protocol in Medicinal Harvesting
Online with PRCO

Learn the Indigenous Governance Protocols that are necessary for all healers, medical harvesters, plant-workers, and practitioners to transform relationships to Self, Others, Spirit and Land/Waters.

This course intends to foster a greater appreciation for the strength and cultural continuity of Indigenous peoples, as well as a deepened understanding of the roles and responsibilities upheld by non-Indigenous communities on Indigenous Lands. A better understanding of critical self-location is meant to encourage students to consider their place within these relationships to self, to others, to Spirit, and to the Land.

Recommended Reading


The Science of the Sacred
By Nicole Redvers

Now available in PRC’s bookstore and student library!

Twitter: @DrNicoleRedvers
Author Profile

The Business of Botanicals
By Ann Armbrecht

Now available in PRC’s bookstore!

Visit Ann Armbrecht's Website

The Cancer Journals
By Audre Lorde

Now available in PRC’s student library!

Poetry Foundation's Author Bio


I'm Still Here
By Austin Channing Brown

Now available In PRC’s student library!

Visit Austin Channing Brown's Website

Restorative Yoga for Race Based Trauma
By Gail Parker, Ph.D.

Now available In PRC’s student library!

Visit Dr. Parker's Website


We are always looking for the next great read! Please send book recommendations to admin@pacificrimcollege.com.



We will be continually adding to this page with new resources, articles and page topics. Check back often!