Community Action Training

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Congratulations to our fabulous Community Action Training (CAT) Graduates of Winter 2021!
 
 
We explored a number of topics during our 8 weeks together via Zoom. Different from previous sessions, we were fully online and it was co-facilitated by Table staff - two Program Coordinators and a Community Navigator.
 
The discussions were rich and we all learned a lot from each other and the guest speakers who joined us throughout the course. By the end of the course, we found that three words best described what our intentions were and how we wish to move forward towards a better community: "Equity, Belonging & Solidarity."
 
Some comments from evaluations:
"I plan to engage in my community by being more intentional in connecting with neighbors and listening to their concerns/issues"
"I now have a group which I can share my voice/opinion"
"I really like the 3-facilitator format and Emmet, Aisha and Youssef were great facilitators. I really admire all 3 of you for having clear and deeply-reflected positions on many social justice issues. Very inspirational."
 
 

 

*Updated on December 10, 2020

We are excited to announce that we are  accepting registrations for our Winter 2021 Community Action Training (CAT) – our first virtual edition!

Are you interested in exploring social justice issues through open dialogue and discussion?

Have you wondered about ways to advocate for social change in your community, but not sure where to start?

The Community Action Training (CAT) is an 8-week session where we learn together about strategies and opportunities to advocate for social change in our community. We will meet on Mondays and Thursdays, from February 1 – March 25, 2021.

Throughout the session, we will explore the following topics:

  • Strategies for effective communication
  • Social issues and ways to overcome them
  • Systems of oppression
  • Community organizing and action
  • Self-care / Community care

All are welcome to participate, though priority is given to low-income community members and those with limited experience in community organizing and advocacy. Participants are encouraged to commit to the full 8-weeks. Technical support will be available for those who are currently unable to access videoconferencing tools, as most of the course will take place virtually through Zoom videoconferencing.

 

For more information or to register, please contact Youssef at youssef@thetablecfc.org or 613-434-2554 x 3.

 

 

 

A story about Community Action Training

Brandy was unsure about taking the Community Advocacy Program in January 2012. She did not attend the first class and nearly talked herself out of going the next week.

For the first few weeks she mostly observed the group and then slowly she began to contribute and share her thoughts and opinions. In March she attended the AGM where a debate arose about changing the organization’s name from The Perth and District Food Bank to The Table Community Food Centre. There were many “high powered” community members in attendance and there was some hesitancy to make the change.

Brandy stood up in front of the full room and shared how it felt to her, as a food bank user, to have to face the stigma of using the food bank. She said she would like the name to change to reflect all that was happening here at the center and to alleviate the shame of using the food bank services. The motion passed and we have since changed our name.

Brandy went on to complete the CAT and to become a peer advocate. She has been involved in various social justice activities at the centre and has arranged several clothing swaps, worked on a free haircutting initiative and is working on an up-coming budgeting workshop.

Brandy ultimately left the Community Advocacy Office and returned to college where she obtained her Social Service Worker diploma from Algonquin College in Perth.