This year The Trustee Hub; in collaboration with the City of Toronto, has embarked on a mission to support community development and resilience through the distribution of the Community Healing and Unity grant. The Community Healing and Unity (CHU) Grants, amounting to $90,000, are designed for grassroots groups to spearhead initiatives aligning with the National Day Against Gun Violence, proclaimed to be recognized annually on the first Friday of June. This day serves to honor gun violence victims, raise awareness about the issue, and encourage collective problem-solving. The supported groups include KINxFOLK, which hosts a Healers’ Market and Youth Symposium offering yoga, journaling workshops, and community meals in Zone 1. Think 2wice in Zone 2 will screen a docuseries highlighting the stories of incarcerated individuals affected by gun violence. Okwera Academy in Zone 3 is focusing on career advancement for Black communities to combat gun violence. Mothers of Peace Regent Park in Zone 4 will support mothers impacted by violence with a documentary viewing and panel discussion. In Zone 5, Scarborough Healing Community and Homefront Community Services will conduct healing circles, youth mentorship, and art therapy sessions to address trauma and violence.
Community Healing and Unity Grants 2024
Written by
March 25, 2024
Purpose:
In June 2023, the federal government proclaimed that the first Friday of June (June 7, 2024) will now be recognized as the National Day against Gun Violence. The goal of the national day is to raise awareness and encourage national discussion about the causes and effects of gun violence. In alignment with this proclamation, the City is launching the Community Healing and Unity Grants. This one-time, city-wide funding opportunity will support initiatives and activities that promote peace and the reduction of gun violence in the City of Toronto. Through community-led commemorative activities and events, these grants will honour the collective memory of those lost to gun violence, showing solidarity with affected families, lost ones and communities.
This funding opportunity aims to provide a space for collective healing, remembrance, peace, unity and the acknowledgement of the impact of gun violence across the City of Toronto. Funding will support communities in building their own capacity to share their stories about the impact of gun violence and community resilience.
The Community Healing and Unity Grants will provide eligible applicants with the opportunity to apply for up to $15, 000. 00 in funding. Applicants must demonstrate that their project(s), promote healing, peace and build awareness around the impacts of Gun Violence, and honour the collective memory of those lost to gun violence through collaborative activities. Projects should focus on healing, peace and unity and should remain broad to support the community’s collective healing. Applicants must be a not-for-profit group in order to be eligible to receive this grant and are encouraged to work in partnership with residents, grassroots groups and other community stakeholders.
Eligibility:
The activity or initiative must meet all of the following:
Involve grassroots group/organization located in Toronto.
Group consists of 3 or more members,
Must have experience in running community-led events.
Must be willing to work with The Neighbourhood Group as their trustee.
Priority will be given to groups that are inclusive of all neighbourhoods in the zone, cross-community collaborative and demonstrates outreach that reflect all neighbourhoods.
Note: Your group may be contacted during the first two weeks of April for clarifications on your projects. Group leads should regularly check their emails.
Week of April 29th, 2024:
Funding announcement and release of funds.
May 18th – 22nd, 2024:
Orientation and Training with Trustee (The Neighbourhood Group)
June 7th, 2024 – June 14th, 2024:
Majority of project activities take place.
June 15th, 2024 – June 30th, 2024:
Other project activities completed.
July 30th, 2024:
Final Report Due
How to Apply:
Applicants are welcomed to visit the following link to fill out their online application form:
