Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

Across Boundaries provides equitable and holistic mental health and addiction services for racialized and Black communities across the Greater Toronto Area.

What problem does it aim to solve?

Racism (individual and systemic), and other forms of intersecting oppressions can prevent individuals from getting the mental health support they truly need. Services offered from a Eurocentric perspective and rooted in white supremacist ideologies, even if unconsciously, alienate people, and they do not get the right support at the right time. Across Boundaries works to remove these barriers and provides a welcoming space centring its services in anti-oppressive and anti-Black racism approaches that respond to the lived realities of racialized communities. The organizational culture also plays a big role in ensuring space is created that is life-affirming and life-changing by hiring staff who are all from racialized communities and bringing their own lived experiences to their work with the service users. This creates a level of safety, as service user experiences are validated from the moment they come through the door and they do not need to “explain” the daily microaggressions that impact their life and health, leading up to their connection with us.

Services are free for racialized and black individuals aged 16+ in the GTA. Plus, services are offered in 17+ different languages.

When did you start/join it?

In September, 1995

What made you want to get involved?

The organization’s mission and vision revolve around social justice. And social justice and equity all are values that require actions, which Across Boundaries has and continues to take in many ways. There is a freedom and an expectation to be a voice for the marginalized communities we serve. The ability to do this is not only satisfying for me but also holds me accountable.

What was the situation like when you started?

The situation was and continues to be dire for racialized and Black communities when it comes to mental health, addictions, homelessness, food insecurity etc.  Lack of awareness of the issues and a denial to address them caused a lot of harm to marginalized communities and this harm continues to perpetuate and grow exponentially.

How has it changed since?

The main difference between when I started and now is that there is more of an awareness and some efforts to address these challenges. And while that is very welcome, unfortunately, we continue to offer band-aid solutions that don’t fix the root causes of poverty and unfair health outcomes for the communities we serve.  Until we can do so, the struggle for fair opportunities and better living standards for marginalized communities will remain a reality.

What more needs to be done?

It’s essential to recognize that the challenges faced by racialized, Black and other marginalized communities are deeply rooted in systemic ideologies based on white privilege. Consequently, addressing these challenges demands comprehensive changes in policies and funding allocations. To foster a more inclusive approach we need to look at how we understand different communities, their needs, and their access (or lack of access) to support and apply an anti-oppressive lens to decision-making processes. To achieve this, we need to shift from a Eurocentric model of care to a more holistic one that recognizes and values complementary forms of therapies (i.e., Ayurveda, acupuncture, Yoga etc.).

Furthermore, we must consider channelling resources directly to the communities that need them, allowing them to co-create their pathways to well-being, rather than funding mainstream organizations that do not and sometimes cannot provide the right support.  As such, we need to be diligent to ensure that resources invested, lead to a positive change rather than perpetuating the status quo.

How can our readers help?

Readers can help by raising awareness of these disparities in health outcomes.  There are many ways to do this. Aside from financial support, which is always welcome, individuals can help normalize conversations about mental health and addictions. We constantly strive to remove the stigma associated with mental illness and addictions and this is one very powerful way of doing so. Additionally, we hope that readers can offer their voices and become ambassadors for organizations like ours.

Changing the system requires collaboration and partnership, and we do not presume to do this by ourselves. We need to be allies for and with each other, as only then is true change possible.

Do you have any events coming up?

York United FC Fundraiser for Mental Health and Awareness Day:  Join us on September 8th, 2023 at 7 PM for York United FC vs. Winnipeg’s Valor FC soccer match. Enjoy the game and meet with the team at Across Boundaries for the fundraiser. A portion of the ticket proceeds ($5) when purchased through this link will be donated to Across Boundaries.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

The Sesheme Foundation – an organization designed to build economic and inclusive connections for black women and their families with the goal of securing them on their path to personal and collective well-being.

The post Charitable Choices: Aseefa Sarang of Across Boundaries appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

The Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton is a registered charity that promotes value differences and how they are essential to the social, cultural, and economic growth of the Halton Region. Its mandate is to provide cultural education that develops an understanding and knowledge of other cultures, history, art, literature and music of Black and Caribbean cultures. It makes people aware of discrimination and the impact of racism on the community and promotes mutual respect, acceptance, and harmony among community members. CCAH strives to increase communication by breaking down barriers and building bridges of understanding between ethnocultural groups, institutions, and the community. There’s an emphasis placed on providing resources for public education programs and activities.

Most importantly, all CCAH programs, practices and policies are grounded in its 4 pillars: Education, Culture, Community, and Harmony.

What problem does it aim to solve?

CCAH contributes towards an integrated and socially cohesive society by building bridges, fostering inclusiveness, and providing a sense of belonging and connection to the community. We strive to increase awareness and understanding by taking action regarding racism and the Black community. We provide opportunities for community members and students to dialogue about issues of race and the means to address them. With this, CCAH increases a sense of citizenship, pride, respect and cross-cultural understanding.

When did you start/join it?

I became President in January 2019 but the organization was established in 1977.

What made you want to get involved?

My parents were life-long community builders. My Mother was the long-serving President of CCAH for over 30 years. The CCAH Board of Directors nominated me as President when she passed away in October 2018.

What was the situation like when you started?

When I started, CCAH was a small volunteer-based organization with no staff. It had started to make inroads with both publicly funded school Boards. During the last 4 years, the CCAH school programming has increased dramatically. It now has three full-time staff, and over 30 staff involved in running specific projects.

How has it changed since?

Black history is now embedded in the curriculum of both publicly funded school Boards. With our programming, students celebrate the history, legacy, and contributions of Black Canadians; develop knowledge and understanding of slavery in Halton Region and Canada; honour those who suffered and died; celebrate the courage to fight for justice and equality. Finding Freedom on the Sixteen is a one-hour documentary film project funded by Kia Communities in Motion that brings to life the remarkable history of people of African descent who settled around the Oakville harbour formed by the mouth of Sixteen Mile Creek. The film features interviews by descendants of the first Black families of Oakville dating back to the mid-1800s. It is to be provided to schools in the Halton area free of charge for educational purposes.

This is a partnership between the CCAH and Anthony Sherwood Films Inc. Racialized students will have a greater understanding of their historical origins. Non-racialized students will also have a greater appreciation for the historical significance of Black people in the Halton Region. These activities will generate knowledge, enthusiasm, civic memory and pride in students and community members resulting from their experiences with the documentary. This will bring about opportunities to learn, dialogue and take action on issues that impact the Black community today and its legacy.

What more needs to be done?

Awareness that Black history is Canadian history needs to grow. Funding from programs such as Kia Communities in Motion is beneficial to help raise awareness and build on our education.

How can our readers help?

By making requests of School Boards to bring Black history into the curriculum and provide opportunities for students to learn about this important part of Canadian history.

Do you have any events coming up?

We support one of our school Boards by tutoring 120 students each week from grades 1 to 12. Now in its 17th year, we are hosting our annual Youth Summer Leadership Program in July. August 1st and Civic holiday weekend, CCAH will celebrate Emancipation Day in Oakville and Milton. On August 27th, CCAH will celebrate Veronica Tyrrell Day in Oakville at Veronica Tyrrell Park. We are offering our 8-week Summer Day Camp to provide opportunities to marginalized and racialized families who may not otherwise afford to send their kids to camp. Our camp programming focuses on empowering Black and other racialized students to develop a positive cultural identity, a strong sense of self, and community belonging. Campers engage in culturally appropriate activities that reduce the disproportional impact of anti-Black racism. We also have a free community garden.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

Oakville Community Foundation

The post Charitable Choices: Andrew Tyrrell of the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton appeared first on Toronto Guardian.