After distributing $50,000 to students last year, the Student Association of George Brown College’s (SAGBC) Community Care Centre (CCC) has opened applications to a second fund. Applications for the Equity and Care Relief Fund, which aims to support traditionally underrepresented communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, are open for George Brown students until February 12.
“I am a firm believer that the pandemic will not make us resilient,” said Charlene Holmes, an equity support staff at the CCC. “I don’t believe that statement because it just displaces the harm, and puts the wholeness of harm on the individual without looking at the structural implications and the lack of governmental and structural support.”
Michelle Pettis, the SAGBC’s equity and advocacy manager, says that the fund was implemented to minimize structural barriers by supporting students from equity groups.
The SAGBC funds the Dialog.
With work and academic stress ranked among the three greatest hardships, according to applicants for last year’s fund, Pettis says that the care fund is an extension of the CCC’s commitment to helping students in marginalized communities access care.
“When the government support excludes international students or has further age restrictions that exclude those over 30 years old, it really affects a large number of college students,” said Pettis.
Pettis hopes that the Equity and Care Fund will challenge the way people perceive the process of applying for funds or bursaries. In an attempt to ensure the application process is confidential and stress-free, applicants are not asked about their finances and personal experiences.
“Some funding models looking to give, actually take away a person’s identity, dignity or sense of worth,” said Pettis. “Neither paystubs, nor essayed disclosures of abuse, oppression, or trauma are required to justify your needs for the Equity and Care Relief Fund.”
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Although the fund is administered in small sums ranging from $100 to $750, Pettis says it may lead to other support and initiatives among the CCC to the student community. However, Pettis also states that the process will take time.
“We also care about the power and possibilities of sustained support,” said Pettis. “Could this return for the spring term? Possibly. Could the Equity and Care Relief Fund serve equity students across other crises post-pandemic? The need is there, which means thinking about it is there.”
Although plenty of students applied to the previous fund, the work is not over yet. The CCC says it is continuing to research other methods to help students navigate disparities while forming a more equitable society. They say the fund is only the first step to make a difference, and there are more steps to come.
“Learning from home works for some, and for others, it’s a very vulnerable ask,” said Pettis. “We know job loss is gendered. We know health care and COVID-19 responses are linked to anti-Black racism. All these impacts are something staff are attuned to and continue to advocate and care across the interconnected issues.”
