News & Updates
A Look at the Impact of Loss of Faith Spaces on the Not for Profit Sector in Toronto
John Lorinc investigates COVID driven loss of faith owned properties and the impact on not for profits in Toronto.
Federal Capital Assistance Call for Proposals to Black Organizations
Proposals accepted until July 27th The Supporting Black Canadian Communities Call for Proposals (CFP) provides capital assistance to Black organizations in Canada to build capacity to better fulfill their missions, and better serve Black communities in Canada.
Not-for-Profit organizations that are Black-led, can apply for up to $100,000 for equipment purchases for work or community spaces, and/or renovations or retrofits of existing workspaces or community spaces to improve their functionality.
Land for Community Benefit Forum
"Land for Community Benefit in a Post Pandemic BC is an opportunity to shift the discourse, the power and ultimately the system towards a fairer, more equitable place. A place that provides space for community—all communities—all peoples". Jacqueline Gijssen, SPRE Project Director
With the Housing Research Collaborative, SPRE is proud to have hosted 70 leaders in this dynamic Forum. Hit "more" to go to the Forum notes and 'big ideas summary'.
"In 2018 HRC + SPRE came together to consider our overlapping interests (housing, space for not-for-profits and social enterprises) and what we might do to move the dialogue forward beyond the current status quo.
With the assistance from a multifaceted advisory committee, and a crystalized understanding of how the Covid19 Pandemic was in fact “daylighting” the real estate market’s systemic failure to support community needs for access to space—we moved to bring our members and issue specialists together in this Forum.
We see opportunity, but also risks to spaces for community—not-for-profits, housing, and the equally impacted small business community (which we are delighted to have present).
Whether you approach from the crisis in tenant and landlord situations, land owning agencies considering debt mitigation via disposal of capital assets, or the private sector looking for new acquisitions— protecting land for community benefit has never been more critical.
But we cannot move an inch forward without acknowledging the additional trauma and harm being inflicted on peoples of colour (in particular Indigenous, Asian and Black peoples) and others suffering as a result of systemic imbalances of power.
We recognize this community, here today, works hard to make the world a better place. But we must do more. By standing up and holding ourselves, our organizations and others accountable. By acknowledging we all (in some way) work in a system based on attainment and control of power. Real estate has been demonstrably biased against peoples of colour, or differences in gender, faith, ability, economic standing, from the first settler period onwards.
Land for Community Benefit in a Post Pandemic BC is an opportunity to shift the discourse, the power and ultimately the system towards a fairer, more equitable place. A place that provides space for community—all communities—all peoples. Let us be bold as we move forward." Jacqueline Gijssen, Project Director SPRE
Webinar June 25 - An Innovative Real Estate Model
Learn more about Community Impact Real Estate and their work to protect the assets of vulnerable communities against gentrification in Vancouver's DTES. Sponsored by the Real Estate Institute of BC.
BC Gaming Grants available to address impact of COVID 19
Vantage Point's Recent Research Infographic
The Size, Scope and Impact of BC's Non-Profit Sector Infographic makes the case for the importance of the sector
Announcing Black Spaces Symposium - Virtual/Vancouver/July 23-25
Afro Van Connect would like to announce our “Black Space Symposium Virtual” taking place this Summer, July 23 - 25th. We truly believe to change the place we need a space, so we are starting a new conversation. The Black Space Symposium is about creating the infrastructure and spaces we need as people of African Descent to continue to grow, support each other and build our community. Below are a series of questions and answers describing why “Black Spaces Matter”.
The Black Space Symposium is about being and belonging. Within British Columbia there are no cultural hubs, community infrastructure, or neighbourhoods that directly serve the specific needs of people of African descent. The intention of the Black Space symposium is to create the awareness of the necessity of black spaces, highlight the various resources within our community, and develop practical solutions to alleviate our inequities. The Black Space Symposium will consist of various panel discussions, art exhibitions and music performances. All centred and designed to showcase the black experience.
Please note that subsided tickets are available to any community member who is interested in attending. Please reach out to afrovanconnect@gmail.com for more information.
New SPRE case studies that inspire us
In the month ahead SPRE presents 4 new case studies that showcase innovative solutions for housing and community space. This week - Broadway Youth Resource Centre and Kwayatsut Housing.