More Funding to Support Healthy, Inclusive Communities
Twenty-seven community organizations are driving important sociocultural change and are empowering underrepresented people to enhance a sense of belonging for everyone in Island communities.
The PEI Association for Community Living, along with 26 other community organizations received a total of $657,453 through the Gender, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (GEDI) and Community Enhancement Program to support healthier, more inclusive, diverse communities across PEI.
“This funding is a significant milestone for our organization and the individuals we serve,” said Julie Smith, Executive Director of the PEI Association for Community Living. “We are grateful for the opportunity to address the gaps in support and promote inclusivity and empowerment for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Through this project, we will be able to provide appropriate, targeted support, education and resources on gender diversity and sexuality that consider the unique needs and challenges of this underserved community. It is our goal, like many community leaders, to help build a strong community foundation of knowledge, empathy and support where everyone can be themselves.”
Other GEDI recipients include:
- Actions Femmes IPE (AFIPE)
- BIPOC USHR
- Brazilians in PEI
- Canadian National Institute for the Blind
- Chinese Culture Federation
- Community Sector Network of PEI
- Filipino Community of PEI
- Fusion Charlottetown Inc.
- Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce
- Kerala Association of PEI
- Music PEI
- Muslim Society of PEI
- PEERS Alliance
- PEI Business Women’s Association
- PEI Cultural Human Resources Sector Council (CreativePEI)
- PEI Titans Foundation Inc.
- PEI Transgender Network
- Rural Municipality of Miltonvale Park
- Rural Municipality of Mount Stewart
- Sierra Club Canada Foundation (Wild Child PEI)
- Sport PEI
- The Canadian Vietnamese Association
- UPEI Experiential Education Department
- UPEI Mawi’omi Centre
- West Prince Ventures Ltd.
- Women’s Network PEI
“The growth of our province has given us a chance to learn more from people of different identities, lived experiences, cultures, and backgrounds,” said Minister of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population Jenn Redmond. “For us to continue on our path to building a healthy and inclusive PEI, we need to provide funding to community leaders who can advocate for meaningful and lasting change. I’m proud to support these important grassroot projects that will reach every part of our province.”
To support the GEDI program’s goal of healthy and inclusive communities, the Interministerial Women’s Secretariat provided $157,453 to fund gender-based violence prevention initiatives stemming from the bilateral agreement between the Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island to support the National Action Plan to End Gender Based Violence.
“We are pleased to support these initiatives, which focus on removing barriers, embracing diversity and shaping a more connected community. Thank you to the 27 organizations for empowering marginalized voices, particularly women, and enhancing our collective journey toward a more vibrant and inclusive province.”
– Education and Early Years Minister and Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Natalie Jameson