By Craig Wellington, Executive Director at Black Opportunity Fund
In Toronto, African asylum seekers were left on the streets as all 3 levels of govt abrogated their responsibilities and they were denied access to the shelter system. Community members, organizations, and allies, sprung into action to provide emergency respite. In response to community advocacy, calling out the glaring disparity between the initial lack of response to these African refugees in contrast to the response to asylum seekers from other regions. federal and municipal govts finally responded with a significant commitment of help. BUT the situation is still critical and YOUR help is needed!
As a member of the @Black Community Housing Advisory Table (BCHAT), Black Opportunity Fund has been working with other community leaders to advocate to government, as well as to provide crucial needs such as shelter, food, clothing, mental health support and culturally responsive wrap-around supports. Advocacy efforts continue, demanding that some of the promised government funds be directed to Black community organizations who are at the lead on the crisis response, extending their already stretched resources, due to chronic underfunding.
BOF is directly providing funding to agencies who are leading intake efforts, including Africa Centre for Refugees and Margaret’s Housing, for purchase of needed items, and hiring of trauma trained workers. Crucially, we are also funding administration and staffing needs of some of these organizations, to support organizational capacity a critical need which is often overlooked. We urge all funders to also provide dedicated funding to bolster capacity of these under-resourced organizations.
DONATIONS - The following donation items are needed:
Food (cooked and non-perishable)
Toiletries
Pillows, Pillowcases, Blankets
Footwear
Feminine hygiene products
Clothing
Undergarments
Drop-off Locations:
Revivaltime Tabernacle Worldwide Ministries, 4340 Dufferin St., North York, ON
Dominion Church International, 2256 Sheppard Ave. W., North York
Volunteers are needed at Revival Time Tabernacle and Dominion Church International, as well as at community organizations in the coalition. Help is needed for accounting, general administration, website, intake and distribution of supplies, food serving, and general labour.
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