Equity and Social Action Fund
HSA's Equity and Social Action Fund was established in the spirit of solidarity to support grassroots organizations not affiliated with HSA who are focused on human rights, climate action, social and economic justice, workers’ rights, and universal health care. The fund continues to be an important part of our collective commitment to supporting labour and social justice movements both locally and internationally.
The Committee on Equity and Social Action receives funding requests and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on how the fund should be allocated.
HSA was proud to fund the following organizations in 2024 through our Equity and Social Action Fund:
Afiya care collective is a collective organized and lead by 3 black women with healthcare backgrounds looking to utilize their knowledge and passions to develop a healthcare center that addresses the unique and diverse healthcare needs of the Black, African, and Caribbean (BAC) communities in Surrey BC.
Our mission is to explore and tackle the multifaceted barriers and issues that Black African and Caribbean (BAC) individuals face within BC's Healthcare system. We are committed and hope to achieve this by conducting community-based participatory action research that focuses on the various health disparities and inequities. With particular interest in issues of systemic racism, medical racism, lack of quality care, and disproportionate negative health outcomes.
https://www.afiyacarecollective.ca/
BC Society of Transition Houses is member based, provincial umbrella organization that, through leadership support and collaboration, enhance the continuum of services and strategies to respond to, prevent, and end violence against women, children and youth.
The BC Poverty Reduction Coalition seeks to improve the health and well-being of all British Columbians. They are comprised of over 80 organizations and community mobilizations that come together to advocate for public policy, solutions to end poverty, homelessness and inequity in BC.
Camp Jubilee is a camp for children from 8-18 years of age who are from low income families. The camp helps in the holistic development of children and teenagers, providing education, recreation, personal growth, and leadership opportunities.
The Centre for Family Equity is a membership-based organization of low-income parents and caregivers, the majority of whom are lone mothers, located in over 41 locations across the province. We carry out community-engaged research and legal action and propose evidence-based public policy solutions to address family poverty in BC.
Founded in 1985 by a group of activists who wanted to go beyond simply sending financial aid to Latin American countries, we believe that partnerships between like-minded organizations in Canada and Latin America can be vehicles for learning, social change, and community empowerment. CoDev mobilizes Canadians to work with the people of Latin America for a fairer world. CoDev does this by fostering partnerships between trade unions and civil society groups in Canada and their counterparts in Latin America. These partnerships educate Canadians about Latin America and allow them to directly support the region. Such connections build solidarity and mutual understanding and ultimately improve prospects for a more just world.
The Downtown Eastside SRO Collaborative Society (SRO‑C) is a non-profit organization working to improve habitability, affordability, safety, health and housing security for tenants living in privately owned Single Room Occupancy hotels (SROs) who are at risk of eviction and homelessness. The SRO-C was established to organize SRO tenants in Vancouver Downtown Eastside, Chinatown and Granville South. We exist to amplify SRO tenants’ voices and support their community organizing through tenant-based initiatives. Our long-term goal is to support tenants to eventually holistically manage, collectively own and redevelop their homes in ways that work for the SRO tenant community.
The Elizabeth Bagshaw Clinic provides reproductive health care and abortions in a safe, confidential, and respectful atmosphere to women, trans and non-binary people. The clinic is based in Vancouver but does not limit access based on home address. The Elizabeth Bagshaw clinic provides culturally safe and trauma informed care, which includes access to translation services.
First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society works in partnership with a non-partisan, cross-sectoral network of over 100 provincial and regional organizations, individuals and local communities who share the belief that children and youth should have “first call” on our province’s resources. We mobilize affiliate organizations and communities around raising public awareness and policy change campaigns, special projects and emerging child, youth, and family issues.
The Greater Van GoGos is a network of 18 groups of the Stephen Lewis Foundation's “Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.” The groups started forming in Greater Vancouver in 2006 when the SLF issued a call to Canadian grandmothers to stand with their African counterparts who are raising a generation of children and youth orphaned by HIV and AIDS. Through our fundraising, they raise awareness about the grandmothers' challenges and successes in coping not only with AIDS in their families and communities, but also now with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jr. Black Achievement Awards (JrBAA) Society was restored in April 2022 to offer educational programs, recognition, awards, and provide financial assistance for post-secondary education to successful applicants of the Black Community in BC. The JrBAA Society empower Black Youth and their families through training, recognition, and access to education. We are working towards a community that celebrates the successes, culture, and heritage of the Black Community in BC.
The Living Wage for Families program encourages employers to pay a living wage as well as advocates for government policies that would help families make ends meet. A living wage is the gateway between surviving and thriving. It is a modest budget that allows workers to overcome severe financial stress, move beyond working poverty to participate in the social, civic, and cultural aspects of life. To achieve this vision, their mission is to create the conditions for workers to earn a Living Wage.
Mom2Mom Child Poverty Initiative improves the lives of children in poverty by supporting moms. They do this by providing moms facing the dual challenges of poverty and solo parenting with access to additional resources that make a big impact on family life. From groceries and basic household items to extra-curricular activities for children and help during unforeseen emergencies, and they provide moms access to a supportive community all year long.
Nesting Doula Collective provides care and support to Black, Indigenous and communities of colour at all stages of their reproductive journey from conception to postpartum. Our approach upholds the principles of informed consent, culturally appropriate care, and community connection. We are a growing collective of Black, Indigenous, and people of colour who are trained in providing professional, empowering, and anti-oppressive Doula support to our diverse clients and families.
The Penticton and Area Access Society uses action, awareness, advocacy, and equitable practice to help people navigate social systems. Our vision is that all people in our communities have equal and just access to all available support services.
Radius is a community dedicated to (re)building a regenerative economy where all can flourish. RADIUS believes this transformed economy will be built by community-led solutions and the redistribution of leadership, centring those who are historically and persistently marginalized.
Richmond Women’s Resource Centre (RWRC) is a non-profit organization that has been operating in Richmond since 1976. RWRC’s goal is to provide community-based resource options to help women build connections and thrive in our community.
Ricochet Media is a national, non-profit media outlet with a mandate to serve the public interest. They focus on in-depth, context-rich investigations and feature reports, with a special focus on Indigenous rights, corporate accountability, and climate justice.
Senior Services Society of BC provides local and provincial programs to support vulnerable adults 60+ in BC with individual supports and housing navigation services to enhance their lives.
Sher Vancouver was founded in 2008 to provide arts and cultural, and social service programs and services to queer South Asians and their friends, families, and allies in Metro Vancouver.
Story Money Impact pairs the power of documentary storytelling with a targeted audience and post-screening discussion with panelists and moderators. We actively engage courageous filmmakers to refine and amplify their messages for systemic change through impact strategy, education, and partnerships with constituents.
Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS) was established in 1989 and is one of the largest anti-poverty organizations on Vancouver Island. At TAPS, we believe that the causes of poverty are in the social, economic and political institutions of our society – not the failings of the individual. Through legal advocacy and public education, we have a positive impact on people’s lives in ways that honour and promote human rights, justice, and a healthy, sustainable community.
TAPS Specializes in providing rights-based information and legal advocacy services in the areas of income assistance, provincial disability benefits and residential tenancy as well as free year round income tax filing services.
The Union Cooperative Initiative (UCI) is a non-profit solidarity cooperative building an economy that works for all. The UCI supports the creation, incubation, and operation of unionized cooperatives that provide family sustaining and flexible jobs that are good for people and the planet. The UCI coordinates a worker organizer training program in partnership with the BC Federation of Labour and affiliated labour unions in addition to union cooperative development services through the support of the BC Cooperative Association and Vancity Savings Credit Union.
Wagon Wheel Housing Society is a grassroots organization on Salt Spring Island committed to ending poverty, hunger, homelessness and isolation. They started a laundromat in town when there was a gap for 6 years without one in the community. The laundromat is a community-run social enterprise and has become a community hub, uplifting space, and community resource.
https://dosomegood.ca/organization/wagon-wheel-housing-society-3173966
The west Kootenay Women’s Association are a feminist organization that has been celebrating, supporting, and empowering women since 1973 and now proudly serve the gender diverse community as well. We provide a safe space, support, free resources, referrals and engagement opportunities for all women and gender diverse individuals.
Founded in 1897, YWCA Metro Vancouver boldly envisions a just and equitable world for women, families, and allies. We advance gender equity alongside women, families, Two-Spirit and gender diverse people through advocacy and integrated services that help support personal, collective, and economic wellbeing. In recent years, we have focused on building safe, affordable housing across the region, and have become trusted advocates in the areas of child care, access to justice and women’s economic security and independence. We currently offer 77 programs in 132 locations in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.