We acknowledge the Mississaugas of the New Credit on whose traditional lands we work, teach and play. We also pay respect to our Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Metis neighbours as we strive to improve our relationships with them.
Good day to all of our Friends of Shelldale Family Gateway! It is my greatest hope that you and those you care for are safe and well during these tumultuous times.
We are witnessing an extraordinary time in our history. While dealing with the impact of COVID – 19, we are seeing peaceful protests rise across not just our country, but across the world. And they all have one thing in common: access to justice FOR ALL. Let me repeat that JUSTICE FOR ALL, NO MATTER WHAT. I was extremely heartened to see a wonderful Black Lives Matter march that took place in Guelph, supportive of our black, indigenous and communities of colour, asking that everyone be treated equally. Personally, this has been a determining factor in my life for as long as I have been conscious of the privilege I enjoy as a white woman. From working with survivors of domestic violence, victims of crime and tragedy and now working with an awesome community that is unique in Guelph in its diversity and needs, I believe in fairness, justice and equality. I believe there is much work to be done, and we at Shelldale Family Gateway are always doing our utmost to support our diverse families as we can with our amazing programs for families, children and youth.
Our staff are trained in Anti-Racist/Anti-Oppression (ARAO) work, and constantly update their learning. This includes myself and our Board of Directors. There currently exists a great deal of injustice in the wider community, and Shelldale Family Gateway seeks to make our organization one in which there is not just a reprieve from injustice, but we have programs with goals that seek to end it.
Shelldale Family Gateway programs are aimed specifically at our marginalized community. Whether it be because of immigration status, being black, a person of colour or indigenous, lacking in financial resources, Shelldale Family Gateway aims high, and we aim to provide the best possible ARAO programming for our ENTIRE community. Racism, ableism, ageism…all of these are antithetical to our Goal: Our respectful and multicultural approach strives to meet the needs of our diverse community, offering programs and supports for individuals and families in over 30 languages.
We know we can improve our work, and we are absolutely up to the challenge of doing it. I am very open to hearing ideas about how we can accomplish this. I can be reached at dboal@shelldale.ca .
I ask that you consider the ways in which you can help our community become safer for all, and guarantee equality not only in justice, but all matters. Think of what we can accomplish by working together!
Stay safe and well –
Diana Boal, Executive Director