Let me begin by introducing myself: my name is Avanthika Anand and I live on the lands of unsurrendered Algonquin Territory that we call Ottawa today. I am a Gen Z-er, woman of colour, sister, daughter, friend — and I am a journalist. 

After a grueling few years as an ‘international’ student from India, I graduated from Carleton University’s school of journalism in the summer of 2021. Shortly thereafter, I came to work at Future of Good as a news and features writer in the fall of this year. 

This is where, dear reader, I discovered something interesting that I want to share with you. 

As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately negatively impacted vulnerable, racialized and marginalized populations in Canada. The issues facing these communities range from housing, unemployment and food insecurity, to access to healthcare and mental health