Editorial Fellowship: Community Transitions and Resilience

Food prices are still sky-high. How are communities and community services coping?

Food affordability has been a crisis on a steep incline since the start of the pandemic. Now, it’s getting even worse with inflation. While food banks, community kitchens, and other similar services have been in emergency mode, trying to survive, they’re pushing for deeper policy change that will get to the root of these issues.

Communities of colour contribute massively to the co-operative movement. Why aren’t they recognized for it?

While co-ops led by people of colour have been on the rise in the U.S., the same cannot be said for Canada, where co-ops remain mostly white, according to the experiences of people of colour. But, inclusion in the co-operative sector is vital as marginalized groups work to build economic self-sufficiency in a post-pandemic world.

“We don’t clock out”: Frontline workers serving queer and trans youth provide crisis support off the side of their desks — and it’s causing burnout

While dealing with a lack of funding for emergency support, those within 2SLGBTQ+ organizations step up to help their community. This effective form of mutual aid and crisis support have long existed but support needs to exist across the sector. Community-serving organizations need to learn how to incorporate mutual aid into their services and bake it into their structure.

The Indigenous tourism industry’s growth was cut in half during the pandemic. Here’s what that means for communities’ economic and cultural resilience.

Indigenous tourism organizations are preserving and sharing hundreds of unique Indigenous cultures that have been historically silenced — and are a source of economic resilience, too.

Unconditionally safe: how the drug using community helps each other when healthcare services fail

From 2016 to 2021, Canada saw around 26,690 apparent opioid toxicity deaths. Without recognizing the power of peer support and non-judgement, many social service and community intervention organizations may be relying on outdated and colonial methods of doing their life-saving work.

This Indigenous founder moved back home to Northern Ontario to help solve food insecurity — here’s how he’s doing it.

With historically unprecedented inflation rates in Canada, northern communities are facing some of the most drastic increases in food prices. Initiatives seeking to boost food security in these regions need to make meaningful connections with local communities — to go beyond quick fixes and establish sustainable, long term solutions.

Emotional emancipation: This organization is strengthening Black communities by healing from the trauma of racism

COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on Black Canadians exposed longstanding economic and social inequities, and caused significant stress and trauma for the population. The CHN provides a way for these communities to heal collectively.

Rooted in local knowledge: How BC’s community forests are advancing climate resilience

As push for localization remains a big conversation in the social impact sector, Canada’s community forests serve as an example of harnessing local knowledge — and how that knowledge can strengthen and protect local communities.

“Never an individual movement”: Three prominent activists on the state of human rights in Canada

Interconnected efforts and coalitions when fighting for human rights is more important than ever as many crises layer on top of each other, maintaining inequalities and impacting historically marginalized groups.

Community iftars during Ramadan help these teams connect and get their message across

Ramadan is a very meaningful time for many Muslims, when charity and community are top-of-mind. Hosting a community iftar is a chance for social purpose organizations to connect with Muslim community members they may not otherwise have connections with.

“Good political theatre” yields concrete steps at Ottawa gathering of co-operatives and mutuals

Federal grant applications often lack specific direction for co-operatives. Advocacy organizations frequently have to ask the government whether co-ops are even eligible. What’s the best way for co-ops to contact the government if they have questions?

Kids need mental health supports more than ever and social purpose organizations are struggling to pick up the slack

According to a 2023 report from the Canadian Mental Health Association, three out of four Canadian children with a mental health issue struggle to access the care they need. The pandemic has only made things worse, increasing service demand for mental health organizations like Kids Help Phone.

Private businesses can be converted into co-ops ⁠— with enough support

Ninety-eight per cent of Canadian businesses have fewer than 100 employees, making them ideal candidates for co-operative models. But entrepreneurs who’ve made the leap to collective ownership say more support and education is needed.

Business students don’t often learn about co-operative models — why not?

Co-op workers say a lack of awareness is holding the co-operative business model back, but including this alternative in university and college curriculum could bring more young innovators into the fold.

Tampons and pads are becoming more expensive. Mutual aid is here to help.

Much has been made of mutual aid networks combating food insecurity during the pandemic. But these networks are also combatting period poverty as the cost of tampons and pads rises.

Deep canvassing: How an innovative American door-knocking method is invigorating Canadian environmental campaigns

Contemporary climate research shows the best way to convince skeptics is to patiently engage with their existing beliefs. Deep canvassing is a political mobilization strategy social purpose organizations like Neighbours United use to do just that: their campaign in a rural B.C. smelting town influenced 40 per cent of residents surveyed and helped pass clean energy legislation.

UPDATED: Artscape crowdfunds for operational funding as receivership deadline shifts to October

After failing to receive offers for its $22.5 development, Toronto Artscape is insolvent and in receivership. Hundreds in the arts community could lose access to premium spaces and sustainable industry support.

Artscape tenants receive letter with first details of potential future for developments

Since receiving a 30-day extension on its receivership until October, Artscape has been quiet about the future. Rintoul’s letter suggests mortgage owners will experience minimal changes, but residential and commercial leases may change hands.

UPDATED: Artscape-owned properties to be part of receivership; managed properties to stay

Almost 400 tenants have been waiting for updates since the receivership was announced in September. This is the first time tentative plans for various properties have been shared in detail.

Artscape CEO says Launchpad failure caused receivership: Globe and Mail

Ever since Artscape announced its receivership in September, Toronto’s arts sector has wondered what caused the well-regarded institution’s failure.

Arts Network Ottawa, Ottawa Arts Council to merge and expand services

Arts Network Ottawa and Ottawa Arts Council are well-regarded cultural funders in the capital. Their merger to expand service offerings comes amid a post-COVID squeeze in the arts sector and heightened anxieties for the survival of small nonprofits.

London farm experiments with more sustainable ‘model of thirds’

Local food producers like small-scale nonprofit farms can give back to their communities by selling more affordable produce with a lower carbon footprint than grocery store items that must be shipped. But creating a sustainable revenue stream for these organizations can be a challenge.

Stories to expect in 2024 that could change how grassroots organizations operate

As charities face declining volunteer numbers and inflation puts a dent in Canadians' donations, grassroots organizations need to look at the impacts of this in 2024 and find new income streams to help overcome it.