Hello Orpah,

Thank you for joining our June, Communities Ending Poverty Peer-led Discussion, where members participated in an informal chat on engaging those with lived and living experiences (LE).  Access recording with password:?^B2x5A8 and slides.

Anur Medic from the City of New Westminster presented the Community Action Network initiative, an approach used to involve those with LE in consultation processes with government, other decision-makers, and more!

Discussion Highlights

• The Community Action Network program provides leadership development for people in poverty through a facilitated and structured training series, providing transferable skills to participants, promoting resiliency, and empowered involvement in anti-poverty advocacy.
• Participants focus specifically on building skills to engage as public spokespeople. Graduates of the program become subject matter experts and are compensated for their work.
• Local government and social service buy-in are vital to the CAN program’s success. The Network collaborates with The City and other organizations to inform and directly consult on policies.
• Anur discussed a case study where the Community Action Network and The City developed a Homelessness Action Strategy (HAS), which included engagement principles and strategies such as a lived experience survey and a digital inclusion partnership. CAN leaders emphasized the importance of plain language communication and involving diverse voices in the process. 
• Building relationships and trust within the group during peer-to-peer training is essential. Participants learn to overcome barriers such as public speaking and feeling comfortable in institutional spaces like City Hall.

Resources

• PROGRAM | Community Action Network | An initiative to increase civic engagement for those most disadvantaged or excluded.
• STRATEGY | Homelessness Action Strategy (HAS) | Five-year vision and plan for addressing homelessness in New Westminster.
• GUIDE | Beyond Inclusion: Equity in Public Engagement | Eight principles to support the meaningful and equitable inclusion of diverse voices in public engagement processes across sectors.
• CASE STUDY | 10 Ways Local Government can Propel Positive Social Change | A road map for civic leaders, staff, community partners and individuals.
• CASE STUDY | Transforming Systems Through Lived Experience | Explore the development and impact of a pilot project that targeted skill building in anti-poverty advocacy, planning and policy development at both provincial and civic levels.

Upcoming Opportunities

• WEBINAR | Engaging Hearts and Minds through Deep Canvassing | June 28 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET | Discover deep canvassing to build a movement for change
• WEBINAR | Businesses Reducing Poverty | July 19 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET | Examine solutions to increase the financial inclusion of the working poor. 
• WEBINAR (privet) | Boosting Financial Literacy: from poverty to possibility | July 27 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET | Discover how two financial empowerment initiatives are helping individuals living in poverty make sizeable gains. 

The peer-led discussion group will pause for the summer, and we will revisit it come fall. Have a great summer and thank you for participating in the call. 

Sincerely,

Maureen Owens (she/her) 

Manager of Communities – Communities Ending Poverty

Vibrant Communities, Tamarack Institute

maureen@tamarackcommunity.ca