The Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation was recently awarded $43,456 from the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund to develop an Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan for both the Chatham-Kent Hospice and the Foundation.

“The funding has allowed us to hire a consultant to help us develop a long-term education plan to ensure the continued refinement of our EDI lens as it relates to all activities of both the Hospice and the Foundation. This will include updating policies, providing training for our staff and volunteers and, most importantly, ensure we are in a better position to provide the best possible care for individuals and families from equity-deserving groups” said Marian Redford, Foundation Board Vice-Chair and project co-lead.

The project launched in early August and must be completed by June 2024.

The Community Services Recovery Fund is a one-time $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support community service organizations, including charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies, as they adapt and modernize their organizations. The Community Services Recovery Fund is being delivered through three National Funders – Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada.

“I am continually impressed by the passion, dedication, and creativity of community service organizations, like Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation. And I am equally proud the Government of Canada has supported their important work through the Community Services Recovery Fund. By investing in these organizations, and projects like this one, we can help to create a more just and equitable society, where everyone has opportunities to succeed. I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this investment in Chatham-Kent over the years to come.” – Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development