Centre for Sexuality’s Post

🗓️March 15th 🌟Bridging Possibilities; Professional Networking Brunch Join MentorAbility and Gateway next Friday at the Calgary Central Public Library for a mid-morning of connection, collaboration, and community dedicated to creating meaningful connections between individuals living with disabilities, employers, recruiters, and service providers! 👉Event Highlights ✅Inclusive Networking - Form genuine connections in a welcoming and inclusive environment. ✅Meet Employers and Recruiters - Connect with employers and recruiters who are committed to diversity and inclusion. Discover job opportunities, gain insights into various industries, and explore potential career paths. ✅Community Resources - Explore a diverse range of services and resources tailored to support individuals with disabilities. 👉Who Will Attend ▶️Individuals with disabilities seeking professional opportunities. ▶️Employers and recruiters dedicated to diversity and inclusion. ▶️Service providers offering support and resources. ▶️Advocates and allies passionate about creating an inclusive workforce. 💡To learn more and register to attend, click here: https://ow.ly/s0I050QKyE5

🌍 Building Inclusive Faith Communities: Join Us in This Journey! 🌍 This week, we held a significant meeting on the REDI (Religious Embracing Diversity and Inclusion) initiative, where we explored how to make religious spaces more inclusive, diverse, and empathetic. With a focus on eliminating discrimination and promoting spiritual well-being, we’re on a mission to create safe environments that challenge harmful practices and embrace love and respect within our faith communities. 🕊️ 💡 We’ve been planning for REDI’s official launch, aiming to establish both virtual and physical spaces where meaningful, open conversations can thrive. It was heartening to see so much passion, with volunteers stepping forward to lead with empathy and purpose. However, this mission can only grow through community support, and we invite YOU to be part of this impactful journey: 🔹 Volunteer: Share your skills or passion to lead a new chapter in promoting inclusivity. 🔹 Partner: Collaborate with us to build awareness and resources. 🔹 Spread the Word: Let’s bring more voices into the conversation for real change. We’re creating something impactful together, and your involvement can make a difference! If you're interested in joining, supporting, or learning more, feel free to connect with me or drop a comment below. Let’s shape a world free from religious-based discrimination and violence—where diversity is embraced, and every voice is heard.

Have you read our recent blog post yet? A Bandwango pass is the perfect addition to your DEI initiatives. Learn more about how a pass will compliment your DEI initiative and connect your community!

Independent Living for persons with disabilities means being included in the community and having the choice to decide where they live and how. 🏘️💞 Unfortunately in the majority of cases, key professionals in the community lack knowledge and skills on how to build inclusive communities. This is where the ICALL project comes in.🥰 It aims to equip these stakeholders with the competences they need to create an environment where persons with disabilities can live a full, social life and access all services offered to the public. 🤝 Do you work on this topic? The ICALL Consortium is looking for good practices on community development and inclusive living. Find out how to apply here 🔜 https://rb.gy/me302g More details about the project 👉https://lnkd.in/eVtXDkMq EASPD - European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities Out of the Box International REVES - EUROPEAN NETWORK OF CITIES AND REGIONS FOR THE SOCIAL ECONOMY Fundacja Eudajmonia Tukena

A few months ago, my friend, cousin & partner Mayte McLenon and I stumbled upon a troubling gap while searching for books for our Black children here in Costa Rica 🇨🇷. Despite our efforts, the options were limitted. What started as a conversation filled with worry and disillusionment quickly evolved into a passionate mission for change.🙏🏾 Recognizing that the issue extended beyond just our community, we were compelled to take action to address the lack of diversity and inclusion in children's literature. Thus, the idea for Costa Rica's first diverse library for kids was born. 📚 Today, we're thrilled to announce that our initiative is alive and kicking, aimed at providing a wide range of literature that celebrates multiculturalism, inclusivity, and representation. From books tailored for Afro-community kids to those designed for children with disabilities or neurodiverse backgrounds, our library offers something for every child. 🫶🏾 Our mission is crystal clear: to ensure that every child sees themselves reflected in the stories they read. We firmly believe that by starting with children, we can lay the foundation for a more inclusive and empathetic world. After all, they are not just the future but also the present. Join us in our journey to make a difference, one book at a time. Together, let's rewrite the narrative and create a brighter, more inclusive future for all. 💝 https://lnkd.in/ezFB8Vxu #DiverseLibrary #InclusionMatters #RepresentationMatters #ChildrensLiterature #CostaRica 📚

🌟 Celebrating Direct Support Professionals 🌟 I recently attended the Little City Foundation Annual Gala, where an important group of individuals were recognized - Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Today, I want to shine a spotlight on the incredible work of DSPs. As the backbone of our community support systems, DSPs play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and special needs. Here are just a few reasons why DSPs are invaluable: 1️⃣ Compassionate Care: DSPs provide compassionate and personalized care, ensuring that individuals receive the support they need to thrive. 2️⃣ Skill Development: They help individuals develop essential life skills, promoting independence and empowerment. 3️⃣ Advocacy: DSPs are advocates, ensuring that individuals' voices are heard and their rights are protected. 4️⃣ Inclusion: They foster a sense of belonging and promote inclusion within communities. 5️⃣ Dedication: DSPs show unwavering dedication and commitment to their work, making a positive impact every day. Let's recognize and appreciate the dedication and impact of Direct Support Professionals. Thank you for all that you do! 🙌 #DSPAppreciation #SupportingCommunities #InclusionMatters

We’re back with the 6 Principles for Inclusive Community Engagement! Step 3 is about emphasizing lived experience. Lived experience refers to the firsthand knowledge gained through personal circumstances and identity. As we can never fully see the world through someone else’s lens, we prioritize including those with lived experience to shape the process of engagement. This commitment to 'nothing about us, without us' ensures that the voices of those most impacted are central to decision-making.

Hispanic Heritage Month or His-Pandering Month? 🤔 It’s Day 4 of Hispanic Heritage Month and time to get real. How can we go beyond the surface-level acknowledgment of Hispanic Heritage Month and truly *celebrate* Hispanic culture, history, and contributions? 🌎 Far too often, organizations fall into the trap of token gestures—dropping a few flags, scheduling one event, or sending an email, and calling it a day. But what does true *engagement* with the Hispanic community look like? ✅ It’s about intentional, year-round support for Hispanic-led causes. ✅ It’s about recognizing and amplifying Hispanic voices in your workplace and community. ✅ It’s about educating yourself and your teams on the richness of Hispanic history, *not* just this month—but every day. At **The BE Consultancy**, we’re here to help your organization move beyond performative practices and create authentic, sustainable connections to the communities you say you support. 🙌🏽 🔍 Let’s explore what it *really* means to honor Hispanic Heritage—because trust us, it’s far more impactful than a month of surface-level efforts. Join us in bridging the gap between intent and action! 🌿 #hispanicheritagemonth #latinxheritagemonth #latineheritagemonth #latinoheritagemonth #beyondthetoken #dei #dbie #WorkplaceWellness #communityengagement #communitybuilding #TheBEConsultancy #authenticinclusion #diversityinaction

Thoughts from my culture building and racial equity consulting firm this September. What is your organization doing this Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate, grow, learn, honor, and support? And, are you truly accomplishing your goals? Follow The Be Consultancy here and on Instagram at @the.be.consultancy for more thoughts on how to ground your organization in true DBIE (diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equity), workplace wellness, and healing across difference!

🌈 Join confidential focus group sessions facilitated in partnership with a leading Canadian educational institution! We're seeking feedback from folks who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, Black, Disabled, Indigenous, Persons of Colour, Women — or the many intersections there of — to better understand: 🗣️ How participants engage with inclusive marketing,  📢 What participants perceive the organization’s role and responsibility to be related to inclusive marketing and communications,  🌍 What authentic representation means to participants,  🔍How participants perceive the organization and comparable organizations, 🤝And opportunities for the organization to catalyze allyship, advocacy, and activism through marketing and communications. – Details: ⏰ Deadline: Jul 31, 11:59pm PST. 📅 Sessions: Sep 9-19 via Zoom ✅ Requirements: Identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, Black, Disabled, Indigenous, Person of Colour, a Woman, or any intersection there of; reside in Canada; aware of the university landscape in British Columbia; not affiliated with any educational institutions in British Columbia. 💵 Compensation: $100 for participation Email melissa@andhumanity.co for more information.