shared struggle and solidarity stream impact report 2022
opportunities to strengthen community connections.
Youth leaders used their funding to foster solidarity between BIPOC youth in their communities. Through workshops, sharing circles, and arts-based learning sessions, grantees provided youth with opportunities to learn about harm reduction and community care, to share their stories and lived experiences with each other, and facilitated cultural exchange between them. As a result, grantees reported that their projects were successful in supporting BIPOC youth participants with relationship building, solidarity building, and increased youth engagement. When navigating challenges due to limited capacity, mental health, and scheduling conflicts, grantees used flexibility to effectively overcome difficulties. They rescheduled activities, adjusted program plans, and held some sessions virtually, rather than in person.
executive summary con’t
Both youth leaders and youth participants gained valuable knowledge and skills related to mental health, leadership, community organizing and relationship building. Overall, the Shared Struggle and Solidarity Stream 2022 supported youth leaders in fostering solidarity between BIPOC youth through relationship building, through increased connections to their own cultures, and through enhanced cross-cultural understanding. Through this solidarity-building, grantees were also able to build a sense of community and increase overall community well-being.
Quantitative Results of Shared Struggle and Solidarity Stream 2022 Evaluation Reports
Regional representation of groups
83% of funded groups were in Eastern Canada Six Groups received funding
% Stream Funding Amount by Budget Item Category*
Food
Project Activities
Project Supplies
Salaries
Honoraria (Youth)
Travel
Honoraria (All Others)
23% of funding was used to provide Food to participants during programming
Just over 1/5 of all funding was used for Project Activities
14% of funding went towards providing Youth, Elders, and Community Members with Honoraria
*Percentages based on the 5 groups that completed their final reports. 1 group did not complete this section.
Top 5 Activity Session Themes*
% of Grantee Groups % of All Sessions
4/5 groups ran activities related specifically to Solidarity and Advocacy
33% of sessions used Arts-Based Learning to share knowledge
*Percentages based on the 5 groups that completed their final reports. 1 group did not complete this section.
ADVICE from a grantee
The CREation Community Grant program has had a ripple effect on our community. It has brought indigenous and black youth closer, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. It highlights the joy and pride that our community feels in seeing our youth thrive and succeed through cultural sharing activities. Based on the participant hope and vision for the future of the Youth Multicultural Education Program, we share our dream of expanding the program, reaching more youth, and making an even greater impact on our community
-Belma Selic from Kitchener,
Ontario
The piece of advice we would give is that it is okay to pivot! If your initial idea doesn't work for the people you are serving don't be afraid to hear those concerns and make changes. The community you serve are the most important voice in a project!
- Advice from Shared Struggle and Solidarity 2022 Grantee
Stay flexible and adaptive to any changes that may occur. Do as much planning and brainstorming ahead of time as you can. Don't be afraid to ask for help and lean into the skills of your community. The most important piece of advice we would want to share is that community is what sustains us, and it is what connects us. By coming together to share, learn, laugh and heal, we are carrying forward just the way our ancestors survived and fought so hard for. Participate in your community, build community, and promote community.
- Advice from Shared Struggle and Solidarity 2022 Grantee