Community Resources
In the climate we live in both literally and systemically, community is often the upper hand in resistance. While systemic change can be a slow moving iceberg, community support can be almost immediate.
In a world motivated by capitalism and greed, my goal is to support and give back to communities that are oppressed, silenced and overlooked. I fully believe that if we all tried to lend a helping hand where we can, and that if we seek out information about those in our communities, we would all come out stronger.
As someone who works and studies in social justice spaces, I wanted a place to gather tangible supports for my communities in Niagara!
This is an evolving list, so check back often.
Clothing and Household Goods Donations
Community Care Niagara offers services like a food security program, community kitchens, housing and work support. They provide non-perishable foods and clothing to low-income and unhoused communities.
Start Me Up Niagara has a variety of services available to the region, including clothing and household goods. They run a drop in resource center that is open daily, as well as the Niagara Mobile Closet that brings needed items to folks that are unhoused.
Evergreen Thrift Store is a locally owned thrift store in Niagara Falls, and they donate to a local charity each month (they’ve donated to 37 organizations so far)! They have a community pantry in store, and are very vocal about local social issues.
Niagara Reproductive Justice
Niagara Reproductive Justice is a peer led group in Niagara that is focused on increasing visibility and support for sexual health and abortion access in the region.
Especially with the current attack on reproductive rights, the work that NRJ does is necessary.
They monitor anti-choice protesting in the area, warn of anti-choice pregnancy centers, as well as offer support and services when accessing abortion or sexual health supports.
It is an action group apart of OPIRG Brock! They are always in need of donations, both monetary and physical.
Settler Support for Migrant Farmworkers
Seasonal migrant workers are the backbone of the agricultural and vegetable industry in the region, and even in Canada. Workers come to Canada under the SAWP program, and are then subjected to horrendous living conditions, no healthcare and no support.
The Niagara Migrant Workers Interest Group offers more information about workers in the region, the obstacles they face and ways to support them. Check out their website here!
A peer led group of settlers in the Niagara Region has organized ongoing support for migrant farmworkers in the region. This includes educational campaigns about migrant workers and their rights, mutual aid requests and donations. Check out their Instagram here!
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The best thing you can do is make yourself knowledgeable and aware of the issues being faced in your community! From there, you’ll find the areas that need the most support, such as food insecurity efforts.
Further, donating time to support services can sometimes be the most valuable effort to communities in need.
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The best clothing items to donate are in good condition, free of rips and stains. Popular items are men’s pants, undergarments, children’s clothing and bras. With food, canned and dried items are always helpful, but be mindful of the expiration date! If you have the means, many folks would benefit from fresh or organic foods as well. No one deserves ripped clothing or expired food.
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There are so many ways to help aside from making monetary or physical donations!
Share your local campaigns, and repost community requests.
Organize a clothing drive within your friend groups or families, even better to do it during a season turnover!
Volunteer your time in the community at a local organization such as Community Cares.
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Yes! There are a few you can do locally, and some you can do online.
You can pick up a free Naloxone kit from many shoppers drug mart locations, or services like Positive Living Niagara. These kits save so many lives, they are free and easy to use. Red Cross Canada also has a free online course on the opioid crisis, including how to use Naloxone.
If you are a student, many institutions offer various training programs for free through their student wellness centers. Brock offers some of these courses, including ASIST Suicide Prevention, for free.
You can also do educational courses online in a variety of topics! For example, the University of Alberta offers a free course about Indigenous Canada.