A bold vision for health and inclusion: Black CAP expands services to Toronto’s African, Caribbean, and Black communities

BY RUSHANE FERRON

The Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP) is set to enhance its support for: Toronto’s African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities with a comprehensive expansion of services. As Canada’s largest Black-specific AIDS service organization, Black CAP provides critical support in areas beyond AIDS prevention, including newcomer settlement, employment, mental health counselling, peer support, and case management. Most of Black CAP’s clients and staff identify as LGBTQ2S+ and/or immigrants, ensuring that services are delivered by those from the same communities and intersections as those they serve.

The need for these expanded services is underscored by the severe health disparities within Toronto’s ACB communities, driven by systemic anti-Black racism and adverse social determinants such as: poverty, precarious housing, and lack of meaningful employment. These disparities lead to worse health outcomes and higher healthcare costs. Black CAP’s expansion aims to improve the health, wellness, and sense of belonging for ACB community members while enhancing their resilience and advocacy for inclusive services.

Tina Garnett, Interim Executive Director at the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP) explained that the vision is to empower ACB communities to take the lead in shaping their future. By supporting and partnering with these communities, we aim to foster proactive approaches and self-reliance, contributing to a healthier and more prosperous Toronto.

Tina further noted that central to Black CAP’s expansion is the roll-out of peer-driven programs, leveraging the trust peers hold within the community to increase engagement and retention. This peer engagement is seen as crucial for channeling accurate prevention and health information.

This marks a significant milestone in this expansion is the recent Memorandum of Understanding with the Northwest Toronto Ontario Health Team and Black Creek Community Centre. This partnership will see Black CAP providing services at the newly opened Hub Space in the Jane and Finch area, enhancing on-site referrals to complementary services and reinvigorating Black CAP’s presence in the area.

To ensure representation and inclusivity, Black CAP has recruited staff from diverse backgrounds within the African Diaspora, including the: Caribbean, Africa, and Black Canadians. This diverse team reflects the rich cultural mix of Toronto’s ACB communities and supports Black CAP’s commitment to unlearning the impacts of anti-Black racism and xenophobia.

“Further, Black CAP is establishing Community Advisory Committees (CACs) to ensure community involvement and leadership across Toronto’s ACB communities. These committees will encourage ownership of the organization’s goals and work, with a youth-specific programming and outreach advisory committee guiding services targeted at ACB youth,” said Orville Burke, Director of Health Promotion at Black CAP.

In its collaborative spirit, Black CAP will initiate quarterly meetings with local service organizations to enhance and complement its efforts, reduce duplication, and strengthen local support systems. This will also encourage the participation of community members in service provision within their communities – since they have already established trust and solidified relationships, they can effectively leverage these to produce better program and health outcomes.

Black CAP has highlighted the importance to collaborate with and receive feedback from local service and community-based organizations to enhance and complement the work the team do while reducing duplication and strengthening local support systems.

Despite potential funding limitations, Black CAP’s vibrant management team and strategic input from staff are poised to creatively and agilely pursue their mandate. “The work we do in Toronto’s Black communities cannot be done alone. We are actively seeking collaborations and partnerships to ensure ACB community members have access to culturally relevant programs and services,” Interim Executive Director, Tina Garnett emphasized.

“As always, our focus is on the overall health and wellbeing of our client base and community members – in all its facets – and by pursuing this expansion we will see improvements in the indicators measuring these variables,” said Garnett.

By expanding its services, Black CAP aims for a marked improvement in the health and well-being of Toronto’s ACB communities, contributing to a healthier, more inclusive city.