Black in BC Community Support Fund for COVID-19

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As we live through this quickly evolving time of transition, there are folks who are experiencing unexpected financial harm that can not wait for governmental systems of aid. Black folks over represent these communities.


This Black community support initiative is a fundraiser for a low-barrier, emergency, micro-grant program for Black people in British Columbia, Canada, who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


The funds raised through this GoFundMe page will be distributed in one-time allotments of $150, to Black folks on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no expectation that the funds will be repaid, or that recipients will report back on how the money was spent. Our expectation is that the funds raised here will be used by recipients for their most urgent needs. We believe that if we work together, we can help ensure that Black people in BC survive this time of crisis.


If you can support the fund, PLEASE DO. Anything helps.


WHO IS THIS FOR?


- People identifying as Black; a descendent of the African/Caribbean Black diaspora; Black-mixed; Afro-LatinX; or Black Indigenous person WHO ARE ALSO, 

- People residing in the Metro-Vancouver BC area, or British Columbia, Canada more broadly.

-Anticipating that there will be a lot of demand, priority will go towards the most vulnerable folks in our Black community. According to our collective values as team members, in no particular order, they are:

- Self-identified senior citizens and youths
- Disabled community members
- LGBTQ2SIA+
- Caregivers & guardians of children under 18
- Vulnerable, self-identified women
- International students
- Refugees

The application for support can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JYDQWVW

Any material offers for the community may be emailed to [email redacted]


THE LAND


We acknowledge that we do this work as uninvited settlers and as stolen people on the stolen lands of the unceded, ancestral lands of the səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w (Squamish), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Stz'uminus, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

This Black community support initiative is organised by Giovanni Hosang, Arieyeh Timayo, Kendra Coupland, Jahmira Lovemore-White, !Kona Katranya, Kevonnie Whyte, Terri Rutty, Ayan Ismail, Nafoni Modi,  Emmanuela Droko, Natasha Mhuriro, in partnership with Black Lives Matter Vancouver. Our goal is to raise funds to support the Black community living on the land now known as British Columbia.