NACY News
A Common Voice: NACY Update
The National Alliance for Children and Youth (NACY) is a network of diverse organizations within the children and youth sector. Made up of 11 organizations (and growing), NACY facilitates opportunities for wide sectoral exchanges regarding issues facing children and youth in Canada. While NACY has been around for some time, the COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the overwhelming need for the sector to come together to work with government partners to ensure a robust sector that works together to enhance the well-being of children and youth in Canada. Through the past year, NACY has seen a rebirth, bringing together organizations across Canada to participate in engaging dialogue around sector priorities and discussions around how we can best support children and youth in a post-pandemic world.
Experts agree that the COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on young Canadians and these impacts are likely to continue for years to come as ‘generation pandemic’ comes of age. In addition, the youth sector learned a valuable lesson in 2020, when the awarding of a Federal contract to WE Charity made clear the critical importance of ensuring that government partners are well aware of the breadth of organizations in the youth sector who do important and high-quality work, as well as their ability to be meaningful partners in program delivery.
With the likelihood of an upcoming election, NACY has been meeting with organizations to develop a strong government relations strategy. This strategy has been designed to reflect sector priorities and looks to develop "big picture" recommendations. We know that the child and youth sector will play a critical role in COVID-19 recovery. In order to ensure the young people and the organizations doing the work are supported, it is crucial, that government, and funding partners understand this too.
We look forward to sharing more with you as we further develop these recommendations. If you would like to learn more or are interested in getting involved, contact Laura at info@nacy.ca.
In Case You Missed It
Photo Credit: The ONN
Ontario Nonprofit Network COVID-19: State of the sector one year later Report is Out!
"In May 2021, ONN conducted a sector-wide survey with l’Assemblée de la Francophonie de l’Ontario (l’AFO) to gather critical data needed to help the sector build back from COVID-19. Nearly 3,000 nonprofits all around the province responded to our survey.
The data reveals much about nonprofits’ commitment to continue serving communities, the fragmented and inadequate government measures to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, and the work ahead as Ontario transitions into a recovery." - The ONN
MPs vote unanimously to designate Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day across Canada on Wednesday
"Recognizing Emancipation Day at the federal level is a step forward in acknowledging the multi-generational harms caused by slavery and recognizing the heritage of people of African descent in Canada and the many contributions they have made and continue to make," said Emelyana Titarenko, the spokesperson for Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth Bardish Chagger.
The motion was introduced by the Liberal MP for Richmond Hill, Majid Jowhari. It also called on the federal government to recognize "the heritage of Canada's people of African descent and the contributions they have made and continue to make to Canada." - CBC News
CCGSD asked respondents about policy areas they felt were important but not listed. From there they identified policy areas that respondents felt were most important to 2SLBGTQIA+ communities and 2SLBGTQIA+ youth in particular.
Policy 1: Health Care
Policy 2: Justice and Legal Reform
Policy 3: Housing Insecurity, Poverty, Lack of Access to Affordable Housing
Policy 4: Education (Affirming Curricula and Comprehensive Sexual Education)
Member Driven
The National Alliance for Children and Youth is a member driven organization. With 100% of our operating cost coming from membership fees, we rely on support from our membership to allow us to strengthen the children and youth sector by addressing shared priorities that lead to positive impacts for children and youth.
As a member driven organization we work to create spaces for organizations to convene to discuss issues, learn from one another and build government relations strategies that reflect the urgent priorities identified by the sector.
Our Commitment
- To create inclusive spaces to discuss the state of the sector and the role NACY can play in supporting organizations on the national stage.
- To work together to move forward change in the sector.
- To recognize the history of colonization and the intergenerational impact it has on Indigenous peoples and grounding our practices in truth leading to reconciliation.
- To acknowledge the existence of systemic racism and oppression and to create space to build up our racialized colleagues, organizations, friends and communities.
- To continue learning, growth and accountability, in all areas of our work.
Share your Events
Do you have an upcoming training, workshop or event that you would like shared?
We would love to help! We are here to support you by sharing your events online and in future publications.
Contact Member Services to find out how!
Becoming a Member
We need YOU! We rely on membership to support our organization. Please consider becoming a member TODAY!
We continue to grow to be able to offer our members more!
For more information on Membership contact info@nacy.ca
Good News Stories
You are working hard everyday to support children and youth in the community and we want to share your successes with you!
Each month we are looking to highlight a member organization by sharing a Good News story.
If you have a story just waiting to be heard, let us know!
