Today we’re looking back on 2020, a challenging and painful year for many. COVID-19 disproportionately affected the communities that fall outside governmental and humanitarian responses. At SeeChange, we have adapted our work to respond to the crises faced by these communities.
The year began with a TB Empowerment Workshop in Clyde River, Nunavut. Then, COVID-19 hit, and with our partner, Ilisaqsivik, we responded. We co-created a CommunityFirst COVID-19 Roadmap for the Inuit community and helped procure essential supplies.
Inspired by the Clyde River response, we developed a website of CommunityFirst Solutions for building sustainable and resilient crisis response; composed of guides, information and workshops. Throughout the year we partnered with community leaders all across the globe who worked with us to expand the capacities of the Roadmap to address many types of crises and disasters.
It has been uplifting to see how, with the tools they need, vulnerable communities have mobilized their assets to organize, prepare and respond to the COVID-19 crisis in ways that suit their reality and their culture.
In other highlights, we launched a new website and started a podcast. Our Executive Director, Rachel Kiddell-Monroe was named to Future of Good’s 2020 list of 21 New Founders To Watch, and received the Y Foundation of Montreal Women of Distinction award for Social & Environmental Engagement – an incredible achievement that recognizes the impact of SeeChange Initiative.
SeeChange reached major milestones: ones we hope will bring us closer to our vision of co-creating empowered communities. We want to thank you for all the support, exchange, and community care you showed us this year. 2021 will remain a difficult year, but as we emerge from the pandemic, we will continue to support and promote the empowerment of communities to address their health crises in their way.
Check out our year in review, and stay tuned for our next steps!
