In 2023, Facile Perth received $6500 in funding from the Smart and Caring Grant Initiative of the Stratford Community Foundation. The project “Celebrating Stories of Inclusion and Diversity” focused on sharing the stories of people living in Perth County. As part of this grant, Facile organized a workshop titled “Celebrating Stories of Diversity and Inclusion” at the Local Community Food Centre on November 21, 2023. The event aimed to invite community members to think about inclusion and explore innovative community initiatives. The workshop featured a number of impactful stories.
River White, an indigenous youth, shared their personal journey as a changemaker and emphasized the importance of embracing diverse voices and supporting the active participation of people with a disability in community conversations. River’s lived experience, as a young person with autism, really captured what real inclusion and belonging means for young people in our communities. 
Additionally Jericka-Lyn Masters, a young woman with Down Syndrome, performed a self- choreographed dance celebrating authenticity and individual strengths. The artistic talents of River and Jericka-Lyn showcased the value of people with a disability and their contributions to the many facets of our community and especially the arts.
Finally, keynote speaker Paul Born delivered a compelling address on the concept of belonging and the critical role of community development in building stronger, more inclusive communities in collaboration with various sectors and equity groups. His message emphasized how to bring joy into our community work.
The day included storytelling sessions by Paul and roundtable discussions. The interactive format of the workshop allowed participants to leave the day with practical ideas for fostering stronger, more inclusive communities. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
Our collaboration with the Local Community Food Centre has always been positive. “The Local” provided refreshments and shared insights about their organization. The workshop attracted a diverse audience, including community members, service providers, and school board representatives. Special thanks to Facile’s team members Mirjam Schut and Nichole Everitt for their support in organizing the event, and to Joe Lambert and Jean Misener who represented Facile’s Board at this event.
In addition to the event, Facile Perth has also been to update its website and create a more accessible page for sharing stories about community builders we learn. This page on our website will be an incredible place to celebrate and share insights from people in our community going forward.
Thank you to the Stratford Perth Community Foundation for providing us with the opportunity to offer these activities and for your essential work in supporting citizen-led and community-centred initiatives.
If you have a story idea, email Facile Perth and tell us about a champion you know who is making Perth County a more inclusive place for all.
Email: info@facileperth.ca