The Region of Waterloo is investing nearly $1.5 million into 14 community organizations to address systemic barriers facing racialized and other marginalized youth and adults. Recipients gathered today to share the impacts of their work.
“Upstream funding plays a crucial role in enabling Rohingya Centre of Canada in its mission to build and maintain social connections, ensure access to services, as well as leadership and capacity building opportunities for Rohingya diaspora and other minorities in the region,” said Co-Founder Jaivet Ealom.
The funding supports and prioritizes work led by and serving First Nations, Inuit and Métis, African Caribbean and Black-identifying, racialized, and other communities facing discrimination and systemic barriers.
One of the recipients, Adventure4Change, supports youth and adults to achieve their full potential.
“We enable underserved and marginalized populations, most of whom are of refugee or newcomer backgrounds to realize their intrinsic worth despite the challenges they have faced and their new realities,” says executive director Oluseun Olayinka in a press release. “They are then positioned to identify their significance and contribute to the community.”
This group is among 41 recipients of a $4 million investment this year to improve community safety and wellbeing. The funding comes from the Region’s Upstream Fund and Community Capacity Building Fund.
“This equity work is crucial to improving the lives of so many individuals in our community, and in turn improving the wellbeing of our community as a whole,” says Regional Chair Karen Redman.
In the meantime, applications for the 2023 Upstream Fund remain open. Members of the community are invited to attend a Community Collaborative Event to learn more.
After applications close, the committee, which is comprised of community members, will allocate funding based on priorities identified by community. This funding model removes barriers for those who have historically, and continue to be, excluded from funding opportunities.
Investing in community-led change was a key call to action from community as part of the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan process.
The recipients are:
Adventure4Change
- $311,000 Upstream Fund
Providing transformative opportunities for marginalized and racialized youth and families through relevant and intentional programming and mentorship to increase social inclusion with the help of newly hired staff. Increasing organization capacity to support increased demand and establish sustainability.
African Canadian Association of Waterloo Region (ACAWRA)
- $120,000 Upstream Fund
- $30,000 Community Capacity Fund
To support the sustainable development of the African-Canadian Association of Waterloo Region and Wellington County by obtaining a physical space for facilitating the integration and coordination of empowerment and well-being projects for those of African descent.
African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region
- $150,000 Community Capacity Fund
Programming the Saving Our Futures workshop series to bring Black African children and their parents together with a focus on child development and parenting skills. Administering their food program to deliver food to isolated community members to promote food security and reduce social isolation.?
Canadian Rohingya Development Initiative (Rohingya Centre of Canada)
- $125,000 Community Capacity Fund
Expanding organizational capacity through hiring staff and skills training to increase services for the Rohingya community in Waterloo Region.??
Coalition of Muslim Women of KW
- $50,000 Upstream Fund
- $30,000 Community Capacity Fund
Continue building on work to empower women and girls to be leaders and change makers. Funding will be used to train new Tea and Tales hosts, hold regular Brave Circles to promote diversity and inclusion, and provide training and education to the public.
First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Advocacy and Advisory Circle
- $157,000 Upstream
Support the continuation of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Advocacy and Advisory Circle with staffing, space needs and administrative support.
Grassroots Growth Alliance
- $75,000 Upstream Fund
- $30,000 Community Capacity Fund
Increasing capacity and supporting the sustainable growth of grassroots organizations, including hiring a dedicated Grant Writer/Capacity Builder. Will support three organizations working with racialized communities to improve the mental wellbeing of children and youth in particular.
Laurier Wellness in Film Forum (LWIFF)
- $4,000 Community Capacity Fund
A free?film?series?in?Uptown Waterloo?that will host monthly events in?the first half of 2023, and create opportunities to have meaningful discussions about the social determinants of health and health equity.?
Muslim Social Services Waterloo Region
- $80,000 Upstream Fund
- $30,000 Community Capacity Fund
Continuing to provide resources and training to address racism, Islamophobia and social inclusion. Programming to support children, youth and families as well as the development of a leadership program to empower women. Increasing organizational capacity and development.
Run for Office Waterloo Region
- $24,100 Upstream Fund
Building financial capacity and decolonizing organizational practices to better meet the needs of the community. Continuation of community-based solutions like the community emergency fund, forced evictions and prevention community support teams.
Sexual Health Options, Resources and Education Centre (SHORE)
- $37,500 Upstream Fund
Increasing cultural responsiveness and reducing systemic barriers for newcomer and racialized groups in relation to pregnancy care, sexual health and reproductive rights.
Social Development Centre Waterloo Region
- $63,900 Upstream Fund
Building financial capacity and decolonizing organizational practices to better meet the needs of the community. Continuation of community-based solutions like the community emergency fund, forced evictions and prevention community support teams.
Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region (SCAWR)
- $130,000 Upstream Fund
- $30,000 Community Capacity Fund
Increasing organizational capacity by hiring a full time Executive Director to oversee programs, build partnerships, and seek sustainable funding. Continue community support and advocacy by delivering supports to the Somali community in their first language.
SPECTRUM Waterloo Region's Rainbow Community Space
- $19,000 Upstream Fund
- $285 Community Capacity Fund
Increasing inclusion and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities by creating weekly and monthly peer support groups for youth and young adults and continuing the Rainbow Diversity Training program.
