Creating Healthier Communities By Supporting Black-Focused Charities
For Black History Month, Shaw Business had the opportunity to support Black people and their communities through a $20,000 donation contest. Learn about the five winning charities and how they are using the donation to create healthier and inclusive communities in Canada. These charities were nominated through a social contest by our online community who recognize the important work these charities do.
Excel Family and Youth Society
Excel Family and Youth Society (EFYS) is a Black-led charity with branches in Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg. Its mission is to empower, educate and integrate self-identifying Black Canadians through seminars, coaching, mentorship and integrations. It currently has over 350 active members and 75 volunteers assisting 15,000 Black community members. To learn more about their programs, make or donation or get involved, visit their website.
Winning this contest is remarkably pleasing and useful to EFYS. The donation will mainly be used for programming for youth effectiveness, one of EFYS’ focus areas. An example is Emerging Youth Leaders Program. This program has been offered in Calgary and many youth have benefited from it, including some from other cities who joined virtually.
Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation
Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation is a Black-led registered charity that provides tailored programs and support services for individuals, youth and families from ethnic minority groups and vulnerable communities in Saskatoon. Their programs and services help to support the community through leadership and diversity training, family support, parenting education, mental health resources, youth mentorship and newcomer adaptation. To learn more about their programs, training and events, click here.Winning this contest testifies to community appreciation of the important work and programs offered by our organization. As a Black-led registered charity, Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation Inc is committed to supporting Black communities and collaborating with allied partners toward improving social and economic outcomes for Black Canadians. The prize amount of $4,000.00 received from Shaw Business will be utilized towards our organization’s BIPOC Youth Mental Health Support program.
Black Women In Motion
Black Women in Motion is a Toronto-based, survivor-led, grassroots organization that empowers and supports the advancement of Black women, girls, nonbinary and gender-non-conforming survivors of gender-based violence. This charity works within an anti-racist, intersectional feminist, trauma-informed and survivor-centered framework to create culturally-relevant resources, healing spaces, educational and economic opportunities for survivors. Learn how you can donate, access their programs or attend their events by visiting their website.
The contest funding will be used to provide start-up funding for Black survivors launching their businesses. It is my duty as a Black woman to ensure the well-being, prosperity and advancement of Black survivors. We have endured the unfathomable - and we are still here. We are poignant, prolific, and radiant. We draw our strength from our blackness, ancestry and lived experiences to fight systemic oppression and injustice, while educating others, so that they can do the same.
African Communities of Manitoba Inc.
The African Communities of Manitoba Incorporated (ACOMI) is designed to build unity and prosperity within the local community. For over 20 years, this charity has provided equal opportunities to people of African heritage and Manitobans through employment, settlement and social programs that support personal, family and community growth. To learn how you can get involved, visit their Facebook page.We, at the African Communities of Manitoba Inc. (ACOMI) are very excited to be a winner of Shaw Business Social Media Contest - which is focused on supporting Black people and their communities. It is instructive and noteworthy that ACOMI as one of the leading, black-led equity seeking and community-based organization in the province of Manitoba will receive this support from Shaw Business. This support will enable ACOMI to continue to deliver impactful programming to newcomers, low-income families, seniors, and young persons. It will also help kickstart our return to in-person community engagement activities after the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.
CEE Centre For Young Black Professionals
The CEE Centre For Young Black Professionals is a Toronto-based charity that is dedicated to addressing the economic and social barriers that affect Black youth ages 14 and over who are not in employment, education, or training. With a mission to create a society and economy in which Black youth can achieve financial prosperity and a high quality life, they contribute to the development of youth, their families and employees through career training in five labour markets: tech, trades, film, social services and hospitality. Visit their website to apply for their programs, donate or become a volunteer.The donation from Shaw Business' social media contest will be allocated towards CEE’s hardship fund, which supports the basic and practical needs of our members and alumni, who encounter difficulties as they try to gain employment and access training. Practical assistance of CEE's hardship fund can be utilized to offer food boxes, baby supplies, additional mental health supports, transportation costs, and emergency rental aid, as people continue to navigate these times of difficulty.