Description:
This 28-month project will strengthen the capacity of Capital Rainbow Refuge (CRR) to advance LGBTQ2 equality. This will be achieved by growing its organizational and managerial capacity to become a stronger legal entity with a democratic governance. CRR will develop a communication system to reach group leaders, newcomers, members/volunteers, and donors through strategic and financial planning, which includes diversifying funding sources, such as joint fundraising, fundraising models for their small groups, and direct mail to ensure long term sustainability. In addition to the creation of an outreach plan, it will solidify relationships with allies, widen their membership base, and help other agencies deliver better services. An environmental scan will allow CRR to better manage the volunteer base, helping in recruiting participants and refugees with lived intersectional experiences, which will in turn improve the trauma-informed workshops on pre and post arrival planning, with materials to circulate in both official languages.
They will develop materials in a Toolkit for overseas applications and inland hearing preparations that will raise the legal bar, sharing expertise in the legal realm and with coalition partners, resulting in fewer negative decisions, costly and stressful appeals and/or avoidable deportations. They will also develop technical systems with the goal of creating a virtual office to improve capacity, including software and licenses.
The supplemental funds will cover costs of the organization training its staff and volunteers on mental health and anti-racism/anti-oppression to better support clients.
In Phase II of the project, the organization will 1) design Qmunity Matching system, 2) build upon its strategic and financial planning, 3) conduct an environmental scan to better integrate and manage its volunteer base, and 4) improve trauma-informed workshops for CRR staff by developing materials to circulate in both official languages.
At the end of the project, the organization will have increased knowledge and capacity to advance equality with respect to sexual orientation, gender identity, expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) individuals; and established and strengthened partnerships and collaborations to support the LGBTQ2 movement.
Program Purpose:
The purpose of ESSOGIE program is to advance social, political and economic equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
Advancement towards a greater understanding of the intersection of sex and gender with other identity factors that include race, national and ethnic origin, Indigenous origin or identity, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic condition, place of residence and disability are encouraged under the Program.