Naheed Khan is a single mother who came to Ottawa with her four children more than 15 years ago.
She describes herself as outgoing, but when she started seeing issues in her community and wanted to help make changes, she wasn’t sure if that was possible.
She eventually found the City for All Women Initiative (CAWI) and its Making Voices Count program, powered by United Way East Ontario.
CAWI works alongside women and gender-diverse people, to build skills and knowledge for community members, that ultimately contribute to collective advocacy through civic engagement.
“Even today, there are a lot of needs in our community. We’re facing lots of problems; safety, affordable transit, affordable housing, and food security.”
“Making Voices Count is a collaboration between CAWI and the coalition of community resource centres—a network of 13 organizations,” explains Hana Aman, Operations Director and Co-Executive Director for CAWI. “We partnered to put together a program where members and community organizations could come together to identify priority needs in communities—under-represented communities—and work towards advocating for policy change.”
Giving a platform to those who need one
Making Voices Count empowers people like Naheed, who often feel left out of political decision-making. Hana says the program gives them the space, knowledge, tools, and skills to engage with Ottawa City Hall.
Hana says support from United Way sustains Making Voices Count.
“We see United Way’s partnership as an investment in civic engagement and marginalized communities having a place and a voice in municipal policy. Not only is United Way supporting us with funds, but they’re also very much involved in the program’s growth.”
“Everyone is just so busy trying to survive, in most cases. To have that knowledge, that power, that awareness of, ‘This is actually what our community needs and this is how I can voice it, and this is how I can effect change,’—especially in a collective capacity—is so powerful.”
Sparking real community-wide change, together
Naheed says it’s incredibly important to have this space where residents can feel safe and free to speak their minds on critical issues affecting them and their communities, and where they can propose solutions, together.
Her face lights up when talking about some of the advocacy successes Making Voices Count has seen over the years, including the launch of the City of Ottawa’s EquiPass.
“I’m very proud to take part in Making Voices Count. I feel valued. My voice is being heard, and I know that am making a difference in my community.”
At United Way, we know the toughest social challenges take more than just one person, organization, or sector to address. We recognize that we are stronger when we work together, with diverse voices at the table, to tackle tough problems.
When we work together with a common vision, when we think differently about problems, and when we shift power imbalances, we can change the systems that hold many people back.
Your support for United Way East Ontario brings us one step closer to a future where everyone thrives.
