Equity Grant funds Latin American Seniors’ Celebration, 2024 applications open now

Seniors Celebration hosted by Casa Cultural Ecuatoriana (CCE)

Toronto – February 14, 2024 – UFCW Canada is proud to announce that the 2024 Equity Grant program is now open to receive new applications until September 30, 2024. Learn how to apply here.

Congratulations to Martha Cecilia Checa and Casa Cultural Ecuatoriana (CCE), one of three recipients of the 2023 Equity grant program. CCE exists to serve the needs of Latin American youth, women, seniors, migrants, and newcomers living in the Greater Toronto Area. As an incorporated community not-for-profit, the organization has over a decade-long history in creating opportunities for community members to know their rights, advance their skills and showcase their talents in Canada. As a volunteer-run organization, donations and partnerships are critical in ensuring the success of events and initiatives. Outreach to Latin American seniors is a core part of CCE’s mission, as senior clients will often experience multiple vulnerabilities in society including language barriers, isolation, and loneliness.

Martha Cecilia Checa is the CCE’s founding President and one of three 2023 UFCW Canada Equity Grant recipients. With over 15 years of experience working with seniors at a community centre and in the Women’s Program at the Hispanic Development Council, Martha and her board of directors carry out annual programming which responds to the needs of the clients they serve.

Earlier this year, the financial support received through the Equity Grant Program enabled the CCE to host a historic evening in celebration of Latin American seniors who form a regular part of centre programming. Over one hundred guests were treated to a night of food, entertainment, and camaraderie.

“This dinner is an important achievement for CCE. Through it, we recognize the knowledge, wisdom, and valuable work that CCE senior clientele bring to the Latin community and in enriching the diverse cultural diaspora of immigrants who call the Greater Toronto Area home,” says Martha.

The centre’s core programming also supports entrepreneurial women and youth and creates opportunities to engage over 200 regular clients in municipal civic engagement and strengthen awareness about existing Latin-focused social service organizations in the area. In fact, the CCE often serves as a referral service to connect clients to services they need in culturally appropriate ways.

Get involved with Casa Cultural Ecuatoriana and follow their work by visiting their Facebook page.

2024 Equity Grant Applications open now!

The Equity Grant Program aims to support newcomer programs, human rights initiatives, and community action projects.

Applications take minutes to complete and are accepted under the Newcomer/Immigration stream, Human Rights stream, or Community Action/Social Justice stream. 

Eligibility– Open to UFCW members and community justice activists outside of UFCW who are currently engaged in or looking to engage in a social justice initiative.

Grant Amount- A total of three $1000.00 grants are currently open for application until September 30, 2024. Apply here.

By assisting UFCW members and community members, engaged community activists and students in addressing societal barriers to inclusion, the grant is a tangible initiative that mobilizes solidarity through community action and a solidarity approach.  In doing so, the UFCW Canada Equity Grant program upholds our union values which include recognizing the social justice work being undertaken by our membership and communities across Canada.   

Learn more about the 2024 Equity Grant Application process.