New money seeks to improve health, wellbeing of equity-seeking groups in Waterloo region

New regional funding will help 41 community organizations receive "upstream funding to improve community health and wellbeing."

The grant money will be funnelledthroughthe Waterloo region's Upstream and Equity Community Capacity Building Funds.

It's part of a plan to put a greater focus on harm reduction for vulnerable community members or groups.

One of the organizers approved for the grant is Sheena Merling, who wants to create a new community hubfor youth with the newGizaagi-in Healing Space.

Merlingwanted to create the space after connecting with several community members in need.

My goal is to bring a rainbow of warriors, not just Indigenous community members, but allies that I have formed relationships with. Sheena Merling, Gizaagi-in Healing Space

"I talked to some people who didn't want to live and I spent an hour or two with them, with the medicines, hearing their story and showing them that they mattered," she said.

"People are scared to talk to people, but I'm hoping to provide that safe space where others can come and learnbecause these are hard conversations."

She saidshe wants to put together a diverse team to help connect with youth at the hub.

"My goal is to bring a rainbow of warriors, not just Indigenous community members, but allies that I have formed relationships with. Allies that have shown me to forgive, to build those bridges between our hearts. And that's my vision, to show everyone they matter."

Merling said it will be open toall youth looking seeking refuge.

Beyond dollars

Fauzia Baig, the region's director of equity, diversity and inclusion, saidthe support willnot end withfunding.

"Part of the work going forward will be providing follow-up meetings and opportunities for people with funding to continue to consult and learn from one another," she said.

"We'll also look at meaningful ways to share stories of impact through the lense of the community doing this work and learning from what would be helpful from folks that are receiving this funding, in terms of going beyond the dollar."

She said the region wants to focus on building on these collaborations to reach a shared community vision.

The 41 community organizations that received funding through this program include the Coalition of Muslim Women of KW, theHamere-Noah Kidane Mihret Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church in Wilmot and theCentral Ontario Chinese Cultural Centre in Kitchener.