We know what we need.
How do we know?
Because we asked you, the community we serve, what you need.
And we’re gonna keep on asking. (In fact, here’s our latest community needs assessment, we’d love your input if you have a minute!!)
We understand it’s not enough for us to just decide “we can clearly see this is a need, so we’re going to do something about it”. At UPlift Black, we strive to base all our decisions, our program development and delivery, on actual data and evidence.
Some of it we find through research.
But like this article highlights, there simply isn’t enough research out there on the experience and needs of BIPOC 2SLGBTQIA+ folx, which is why we’ve been busy gathering that data ourselves, in a variety of ways.
In just the last 12 months, UPlift Black has conducted:
Simcoe County Community Survey - responses collected online
Blockobana Community Survey - responses collected out at the Blockobana Pride Event
Community Strategy Meeting - Hosted at UPlift Black Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion
Back 2 Our Roots Summit, Simcoe Edition - Hosted at UPlift Black Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion, with the support of Enchante Network
Newcomers Focus Group - Hosted at UPlift Black Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion
Artist’s Collective Interview Series - recorded at the UPlift Black Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion
UPlifters traveled across the country to attend and participate in 4 National conferences, as well as participate in research conducted by our partner organizations, like the Speak OUT project with Égale and the Back to our Roots project by the Enchante Network, who just recently published their findings in this report.
Knowledge and resource sharing, strengthening the capacity 2SLGBTQIA+ networks and community engagement are key elements of the work we do at UPlift Black.
Why?
Because we are a not for profit community organization and every bit counts.
Every bit of effort. Every last cent.
Funding doesn’t come easy and we need to be sure the work we’re doing, the ways in which we’re designing and delivering programs and services, are consistently done in ways that meet the real and timely needs of the people we serve.
We’re working on formalizing our various community engagements into reports we will publish here for you to access.
In the meantime, we thought we’d share some of our key takeaways.
Overall, data collected reveals a vibrant community, one looking to connect, to grow, and to support each other. A community who desires access to safe, inclusive & culturally relevant services and programs designed to address specialized intersectional needs of BIPOC 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families across youth, professional, recreational, health and cultural domains.
Key Results
Of the respondents to our surveys…
37% seek mentorship
38% would engage with networking events, opportunities
41% desire an increase in youth programming
27% require mental health services
40% lack inclusive services where they live
23% need more specialized services for special needs youth
29% experience challenges accessing adequate services
25% need job & volunteer opportunities
Barriers to accessing services
Our data reveals that barriers to accessing services affecting respondents are related to cost, cultural competence, racism, lack of specialized services, transportation and difficulty navigating bureaucracy.
Significant interest in
Responses collected indicate significant interest from our community on youth programs, mentorship opportunities, job/volunteer opportunities, networking events, and skills workshops.
Mental health supports that are culturally competent, tailored for youth, and affordable/accessible.
Diverse needs
There are needs related to financial literacy, recreational activities, health/wellness, and professional development, all through intersectional lenses.
Volunteering and community participation are seen as valuable by respondents. They want opportunities to volunteer with us as well as access services. This is in keeping with the findings that a key area of interest for our community is to build community.
Racism and discrimination are cited by multiple respondents as barriers to access when seeking services and resources. We can connect this to the lack of availability of professionals and services specialized for needs of Black individuals and families, as well as specialized services for needs of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and families.
At UPlift Black we specialize in focusing on the intersectional and wholistic needs individuals and community through our anti-oppression framework, our understanding of the multiplicities of privilege and oppression and the lived experience of our leaders and facilitators.
We help organizations and service providers increase their capacity to serve communities with intersectional needs through training and education as well as coaching and consulting.
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