A New West-based non-profit is among groups from across British Columbia that’s getting money to fight racism.
The Centre of Integration for African Immigrants is receiving a $10,000 grant for work to tackle anti-Black racism. The Youthfully and Anti-Racism Strategy project is the second year of a three-year program to develop a responsive youth anti-racism strategy, taking into account the impact of integration in local multicultural community relations and racism.
Based in New Westminster, the Centre of Integration for African Immigrants formed in 2003 with the goal of supporting visible minorities with ethno-cultural barriers, by assisting them in the settlement, adjustment and integration process.
More than 190 organizations are receiving funds through the B.C. Multiculturalism Grants Program to increase capacity to address racism and discrimination, and to build intercultural trust and understanding.
"Racism is pervasive, and it reaches into every corner of our province. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made the situation worse," Surrey-Green Timbers MLA Rachna Singh, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives, said in a news release. "That's why these grants prioritize projects addressing anti-Indigenous, anti-Asian and anti-Black racism. These grants will not only help organizations across the province to address systemic racism, but also provide learning opportunities to foster better understanding and encourage intercultural conversation in B.C. communities."
According to the province, funding for the B.C. Multiculturalism Grants Program was increased fourfold to more than $1.2 million in 2020-21 in order to support more anti-racism initiatives. Funding is being provided to a range of community-based organizations for projects that build intercultural interaction, trust and understanding, or challenge racism, hate and systemic barriers.
One of the 192 projects receiving grant funding is the Vancouver Foundation, which is receiving a one-time grant of $200,000 to the support IBPOC-led (Indigenous, Black and people of colour) organizations advancing racial justice and equity throughout B.C.
"This funding will help support IBPOC-led non-profits in their efforts to advance racial equity and justice in their communities," said Vancouver-Hastings MLA Niki Sharma, parliamentary secretary for community development and non-profits. "This has been a challenging time, and the non-profit sector has been working tirelessly over the last year to meet the increased demand for programs and services."
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