ACCANO Parents’ Caregivers’ and Guardians’ 2020-2022 Program
ACCANO YOF Program
In 2020, the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) approved a two year Family Innovations Test grant through the Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) in the value of $170,000. The funds were purposed to facilitate systems navigation and improve access to community services for Black newcomer parents, caregivers, and guardians (PCG) living in Sault Ste. Marie and area, and ensure social integration is done in an informative, socially and culturally anchored safe space. Through this work, Black parents increased their sense of community and built meaningful relationships among themselves based on shared and lived experiences in a cultural and informative space. The main activities of this program focused on learning through the sharing of lived experiences and personal narratives in a kitchen setting, while preparing cultural meals using local ingredients.