Trisha Proudfoot gave to the Nature Conservancy of Canada
The NCC is Canada's leading national land conservation organization. A private, non-profit organization, who partners with individuals, corporations, foundations, Indigenous communities and other non-profit organizations and governments at all levels to protect our most important natural treasures — the natural areas that sustain Canada’s plants and wildlife. They secure properties (through donation, purchase, conservation agreement and the relinquishment of other legal interests in land) and manage them for the long term. Since 1962, the NCC and its partners have helped to protect 14 million hectares (35 million acres), coast to coast to coast.
Alexys gave to the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre / Multicultural Women Against Rape
The TRCC / MWAR is very near and dear to my heart. It is a woman and non-binary led grassroots collective that supports all folks who have experienced gender-based violence. They hold space, support, and centre LGBTQ+ and BIPOC survivors. The TRCC / MWAR offers a broad range of services including a 24-hour crisis line, individual counselling, court support and accompaniment, support groups, prison support, advocacy, activism, public education and workshops.
The following is their Trans Inclusion Policy: “TRCC / MWAR operates within an anti-racist, anti-oppression framework and we believe that all people have the right to access service, regardless of their gender identity. The organization strives to remove barriers that keep two-spirit, trans and genderqueer people from actively participating in programs and works to create an inclusive environment. TRCC / MWAR will ensure all two-spirit, trans and genderqueer people’s rights are respected and protected and that they are treated with dignity. This policy is applicable to all staff, volunteers, service users, management and general public.
TRCC/MWAR encourages two-spirit, trans and genderqueer individuals to participate fully and have complete access to its services, employment, governance structures and volunteer opportunities. It will make every effort to see that its structure, policies and systems reflect all aspects of the total community and to promote equal access to all. This policy is intended to act as a positive force for equity and the elimination of transphobic oppression.”
Saweze gave to GRIS-Montréal
First of all, I would like to thank BonLook for this initiative.
GRIS-Montréal is an organization that provides support to LGBTQ+ youths. I chose this organization because I benefited from their work at my own school. Their LGBTQ+ volunteers provide testimonials and answer even the most intimidating questions to the best of their ability, based on their lived experiences. These in-school interventions are a great way to open minds with regards to the community.
Jenessa Allan gave to True North Aid
I believe that all who live on Turtle Island have a right to clean water, safe shelter and accessibility to affordable food. Currently, there are 51 long-term boiling water advisories in 32 Indigenous communities and the price of healthy food is much higher in many Indigenous communities. True North Aid works to empower and support Northern Indigenous families through a multitude of programs.
Their website states: “Our mandate is to provide practical humanitarian assistance through initiatives established on eight foundational stones of support. These include self-determination, reconciliation, water, food, health, housing, hope and education. Our priority is to help ensure the dignity and health of Indigenous people through our actions. Our self-determination activities are designed to help inspire and empower Indigenous youth to pursue their dreams and, in turn, empower their people and community.”
We all should have access to the basic necessities of life as they are directly linked to our physical and mental health.
Thank you to everyone who participated and to our winners for their thoughtful contribution!
