DEI Resources & Community Partners

To be an equitable and inclusive organization through the use of an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, intersectional approach that is trauma-informed, heading-centred, sage, responsive and affirming, our agency is working hard to prepare and compile a list of resources for our staff and the public.

As the child welfare sector, we know there is an over representation of Black and Indigenous children in care and a disparity in service. It is our commitment that service delivery ensures that children, youth and families with diverse identities are aware of, and have access to, diverse community services and resources that will support their intersecting needs and identities. Below is a list of some of our available resources, as well as organizations to know and support in the community.

Do you have questions about our approach? Do you want to become a partner or share resources with us?

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Resources

Our Approach towards Equitable Outcomes

Additional events and resources

Black History Month

Each year, we are recognizing the importance of Black History Month.

The child welfare and children’s mental health sectors have prioritized the need to develop equity-based approaches to services by building a foundation which is anti-racist, trauma informed and healing centered. This framework for services can only be achieved through changes in our agency culture, practice, systems, structures and by building alliances with the community.

We know that the child welfare sector has an overrepresentation of Black children and families receiving service. Eliminating disproportionality and disparity in outcomes for Black children and youth is our goal. We have made notable progress in working to better serve Black families through the work of the One Vision One Voice committee and through the tireless work and commitment of our Afri-CAN Carib Connexions staff group, however we are aware that we have a long way to go. In children and youth mental health we have heard the voices of Black and Indigenous youth in the report released last week and we must bring their recommendations to action.

We hope you will join in the celebration of Black history every day.

Black History Month events 2025

Fri., January 31

12 – 1 pm: Alinka Angelova- The Lost Heroes of Oro – BHM Virtual Lecture Series (Free)

Wed., January 29, February 5, February 12, February 19, & February 26

1 – 3 pm: Mosaic Connects Join Making Change at Innisfil ideaLAB and Library Lakeshore Branch for a welcoming drop-in program designed to bring Black seniors together through creative craft activities and meaningful social connections (Free)

Thurs., January 30 – Sat., February 8

7 pm or 8 pm: Perfect On Paper presented by TIFT. Written by Marcia Johnson, Directed by Vanessa Sears at UPlift Black Centre, Barrie, ON (Tickets $39 +HST; Full-time students or artists (ID required upon entry) – $19.50 +HST)

Sat., February 1

10:30 am to 5 pm: Black History Month reception, Art Exhibition & Ujamaa Marketplace (Reception program begins at 11:30 a.m.) Newmarket Old Town Hall (460 Botsford Street) (Free)

Mon., February 3

6 – 7 pm: Sheffield Park Black History & Cultural Museum Presentation with Carolynn Wilson Collingwood Public Library

Wed., February 5

5:30 – 8 pm Celebrate Black History – Together We Rise Durham: Resistance, Resilience, Possibility – Region of Durham (In Whitby, register by Jan 31)

Thurs., February 6

12 – 1 pm: Laura LaChapelle- Through My Eyes – Change & Challenge Being Biracial in Simcoe County – BHM Virtual Lecture Series (Free)

Fri., February 7

6:30 – 9 pm: Canvas for Change: Making Change and MacLaren Art Centre Art Exhibition Opening Event (Free) Exhibit runs January 20 – February 23, 2025

Sat., February 8

10 – 10:45 am Black History Month Celebration with Local Author Tricia Khan Barrie Public Library Painswick Branch (Free)

Thurs., February 13

7 – 9 pm (55+ event) Tea & History Speaker Series – Black History Month Celebration Whitby Central Library (By Donation)

Sat., February 15

7:30 pm Black History Month – A Tribute to Maria Makeba in Barrie at 5 Points Theatre in ($40 TicketPro)

Thurs., February 20

12 – 1 pm: Peter Meyler- Richard Pierpoint: Freedom Fighter – BHM Virtual Lecture Series (Free)

Thurs., February 20

7 – 9 pm: Sound Canvas at MacLaren Art Centre with UPlift Black (Free, drop in)

Sat., February 22

12 – 4 pm: Making our Mark: Artworks from Forest Hill Public School at MacLaren Art Centre (Free, drop in)

Sat., February 22

1 – 2 pm: Join Ms. Love on the Move! Get ready to move and groove at this very special workshop for kids to celebrate Black History Month! Ages 5-8. Innisfil ideaLAB and Library Lakeshore Branch (Ms. Love is Trician-Renée Edwards, advocate, educator, and founder of The Love and Light Collective ). ($2 per person Registration Required )

Sat., February 22

6 – 10:30 pm: 2^nd Annual Black History Month Gala by PARSC ($105) in Barrie

Wed., February 26

12 – 1 pm: A Canadian Black History Story (That You Probably Never Heard About!) at MacLaren Art Centre (Free, registration recommended; in person)

Thurs., February 27,

6pm – 7 pm Black History Month Book Club, Innisfil ideaLAB and Library Lakeshore Branch

Join guest facilitator and local Black author, Roxann Wittingham, as we discuss The Skin We’re In by author Desmond Cole at this special Black History Month Book Club. Registration required (Free)

Fri., February 28

7 pm: Black in Canada and Ty the Poetess – Arts Orillia & Orillia and Area Black Community Association Orillia Opera House (20 Mississaga St W, Orillia, ON L3V 3A6)

( $35 or $8 for students)

Sat., March 1

Radiant Roots Cultural Expo, Making Change at Innisfil ideaLAB and Library Innisfil Beach Road (Free)

March 20

6:30 – 7:30 pm: Black History Month Open Book Club and Author Talk New Tecumseth Public Library – Beeton Branch (Free with registration; in person)

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Becoming an Active Ally: Practical Steps to Support Marginalized Communities
Join Parents Against Racism Simcoe County (PARSC) for this meaningful learning opportunity. Explore what it means to be an active ally and the impact allies have on creating inclusive environments. Participants will discover actionable ways to support and uplift others in this free workshop. Registration is required. There are still spaces available.

Lakeshore Branch: Thursday, January 23, 6-7pm.

Mosaic Connects

Join Making Change for a welcoming drop-in program designed to bring Black seniors together through creative craft activities and meaningful social connections.
Lakeshore Branch: Wednesdays, January 29, February 5, February 12, February 19, February 26, 1-3pm.

Children’s Programs with Ms. Love

Read, sing, play and celebrate at these energetic programs for children. Families of all ages will love these fun-filled sessions with Ms. Love.

Learn, sing, and play together at a special drop-in Family Storytime from 11:30-12:30pm

Lakeshore Branch: Saturday, February 22, 11:30-12:30

Join Ms. Love on the Move! Get ready to move and groove at this very special workshop for kids to celebrate Black History Month!

Lakeshore Branch: Saturday February 22, 1-2pm, Ages 5-8, $2 per person, Registration Required

Ms. Love is Trician-Renée Edwards, advocate, educator, and founder of The Love and Light Collective.

Black History Month Book Club

Join guest facilitator and local Black author, Roxann Wittingham, as we discuss The Skin We’re In by author Desmond Cole at this special Black History Month Book Club. Registration required.
Lakeshore Branch: Thursday, February 27, 6pm-7pm

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Other events

Making changes: Visit Making Changes’ website for more events

BHM Tribute to Maria Makeba

Parents against racism events 2025

Ontario Association of Social Workers – Black History Month events 2025

Other resources