Series 29 - AIDS

Mennonite Central Committee of BC

British Columbia Mennonites became active in their support of refugee relief during the 1930s. In 1940 the Provincial Mennonite Relief Committee, British Columbia (PMRC-BC) was formed. Abram A. Wiens was the director of this work from 1943-1963 having opened a clothing depot in a converted chicken barn on his property in 1944. In 1961 it became known as the Provincial Mennonite Relief and Immigration Committee (PMRIC).
In December, 1963 Mennonite Central Committee Canada was formed by representatives of various Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches. Its affiliate, Mennonite Central Committee British Columbia (MCCBC) was formed on October 24, 1964. MCC remains an active organization concerned with international development and emergency relief services in more than 50 countries world-wide, but also with local services to aboriginal people, abuse response and prevention, employment and community development, HIV/Aids education, peace education, refugee assistance and service worker placement.

Sources: Footprints of Compassion edited by Helen Lescheid et al.