RACE EQUITY GRANT FUND RECIPIENTS
Because the opportunity gap is wider for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) in Connecticut, SVP’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee established a four-part initiative with an explicit focus on systems change to eliminate racial inequities. Our Race Equity Fund supports BIPOC-led grassroots organizations with unrestricted grants. Our first cohort of eight nonprofits received grants of $25,000 each. See how they're changing local systems to advance equity.
Connecticut Students for a Dream focuses on empowering students and educators to destigmatize immigration status and break down barriers that exist for undocumented students in the education system.
NAACP envisions a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race. NAACP Connecticut is led by community members of color and provides a platform to uplift the needs and voices of those striving for racial equity, including the most vulnerable. Through the launch of One Million Jobs Campaign in New Haven, NAACP-CT is using their grant from the Race Equity Fund to increse employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated people.
To enhance all aspects of quality of life of people with sickle cell disease, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America of Southern Connecticut (SCDAA-SCT) offers community outreach, direct school system support, and help to families navigating the complex health system. With funding from the Race Equity Fund, the SCDAA-SCT launched a study into the disease's impact in CT.
PT Partners builds community and self-advocacy among 880 families living with low income in three Bridgeport public housing complexes. A distributed authority model provides many leadership opportunities and improves access to information for residents. By recognizing and using their collective power and influence, the residents are changing conditions and policies that marginalize them.
CHEER Institute partners with organizations that serve people of color to provide health education, health advocacy and training. The organization is using its Race Equity Grant to train policymakers in New Haven and Bridgeport in racial justice with a focus on education, health, and housing policies that adversely impact communities of color.
To enhance literacy and revitalize literary arts in the Greater New Haven area's cultural landscape, Elm City LIT produces a yearly book festival and bi-weekly podcast highlighting books, literature, and local, regional and global literary artists of the African Diaspora. ECL offers enhanced cultural experiences for all ages through the power of spoken word, storytelling, and reading of literary works.
With funding from the SVP Race Equity Fund, the East End NRZ Pop-Up Market and Cafe will expand upon its mission to promote healthy lifestyles in the East End neighborhood of Bridgeport where residents live with financial insecurity and limited access to fresh produce. In addition to making fresh produce and healthy food available, NRZ hosts job training and healthy living programs, and provides a gathering place to build neighborhood cohesion.
Mount Aery Baptist Church ministries are grounded in the principals of social justice, equity, and fairness. They hold firm to the belief that unaddressed historical trauma leads to poor health outcomes, inequities, and barriers to care for people of color. Mount Aerie Baptist Church addresses critical issues that suppress marginalized nonwhite people thorugh collaborations to get legislation passed.
About SVP-CT's Race Equity Fund
Funding will assist the above organizations in further developing and strengthening their capacity to address systemic inequities and to amplify their impact upon our communities.
The Race Equity Fund, conceived in 2020 by SVP-CT, is one element of a four-part Race Equity Initiative implemented following the national movement to end racism and Covid-19 healthcare crisis. The Initiative’s other elements include a pilot program to support nonprofit leaders of color, SVP-CT Partner education regarding systemic inequities and racism in Connecticut, and advocacy on state-wide issues in racial equity.