GTAA pledges $150,000 to Black and Indigenous-led community organizations

At Toronto Pearson, we want to have a positive impact on our surrounding communities. We contribute to organizations and projects in local neighbourhoods that create stronger, healthier and happier communities.

In support of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy and further building on our commitment to the BlackNorth Initiative signed in July 2020, we are taking another measurable step toward fulfilling our promise to help build better futures for those impacted by systemic racism. 

Today, the GTAA is announcing it has committed $150,000 to six Black and Indigenous-led organizations located in communities around Toronto Pearson:

• The Black Youth School Success Initiative is a prevention and intervention school support program that supports Black children and youth from grade 6 through high school.
• Eshkiniigjik Naandwechigegamig, Aabiish Gaa Binjibaaying (ENAGB) provides mental, emotional, physical and spiritual programming and services to Indigenous youth ages 12-29 years.
• Help a Girl Out works to ensure all women have access to sanitary products regardless of circumstance and initiates year-round anti-stigma campaigns and educational workshops to end menstrual shame among women and girls in Canada.
• Helping Hands Platform is a grassroots organization led by Black youth that matches Black, newcomer and low socioeconomic status youth with volunteer, educational, entrepreneurial and employment opportunities.
• Trust 15 Youth Community Support Organization provides youth in the Rexdale/North Etobicoke area with programs that promote and facilitate positive behaviour, creative expression, and cooperative working skills.
• Weston Frontlines Centre is a dynamic youth charity in York-South Weston that provides culturally relevant and inclusive programming –from homework/tutoring programs and camps to pop-up events and employment programs—to children and youth ages 6-29.

The previous funding provided to these groups benefitted 1,629 Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour community members. The organizations were also able to increase their fundraising capacities, which resulted in more than $2 million being raised separately.