Part of $3.2 million Ontarion Government fund “to fight racism and hate”

By Lincoln DePradine

Durham Community Action Group (DCAG), whose mission includes promoting “the positive growth and development of the Black community in Durham and across Ontario’’, is among several groups that are sharing in $3.2 million, which Ontario is investing in what the Conservative government describes as “initiatives that build the province’s capacity to fight racism and hate’’.

The money will be disbursed over three years to 58 organizations under the “Ontario Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate (ARAH) Grant’’ program to “increase public education, understanding and awareness of the impacts of racism and hate’’.

DCAG, a community-based, not-for-profit organization whose objectives include providing “opportunities for dialogue through educational workshops, public forums and community development initiatives’’, is receiving $40,000 for a project titled, “In Their Own Voices: Disrupting Anti-Black Racism and Hate’’.

“The program started in September and we will be working with the young people,’’ Trinidad-born Gloria Small, a DCAG co-founder, told The Caribbean Camera. “They would tell us, in their own voices, about their experiences and what they have to say about racism and hate.’’

DCAG’s “Disrupting Anti-Black Racism and Hate’’ project will include a series of youth workshops and seminars, with the organization submitting a final report to the government on the program at the end of April 2024.

DCAG, which says it’s “committed to bringing about meaningful change’’, was established in 2008 with a set of goals including acting as an “advocate for Black children, youth and families to reduce disparities and ensure better outcomes in key sectors such as education, child welfare, youth justice, mental health and law enforcement’’.

As well, according to DCAG, it also wants “to build a more inclusive society in Durham Region, and the Province of Ontario, for all communities to thrive and succeed’’.

LJI