Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee is a team of knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers who provide advice, support, and strategic direction to the Positive Spaces Initiative.
We seek representation on the Committee from all seven OCASI regions, including from OCASI member agencies, LGBTQIA+ serving agencies, ethno-specific agencies, Francophone-serving agencies, youth-serving agencies, and LGBTQIA+ newcomers themselves. Advisory Committee members are actively involved in:
- Identifying welcoming, positive spaces for LGBTQ+ newcomers in Ontario.
- Providing strategic directions for enhancement and delivery of training.
- Serving as contact persons in their local regions, and providing support in the development of regional networks.
- Contributing to the assessment and evaluation of the Positive Spaces Initiative on an ongoing basis.
Learn more about our Advisory Committee
Champions
The Positive Spaces Regional Champions are a diverse team of carefully selected, well-qualified, enthusiastic, and dedicated volunteers from all seven regions across Ontario.
The Champions contribute their time, energy, and local expertise and connections to reach out, build networks, and coordinate events in support of LGBTQ+ newcomers and service providers in their home regions. The Champions are responsible for:
- Performing outreach and referrals within their region. This includes promoting the OCASI Positive Spaces Initiative and its tools, resources, and training opportunities to local and regional immigrant- and refugee-serving agencies.
- Maintaining lists of community resources for LGBTQ+ newcomers and service providers within the region.
- Coordinating regional events to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ newcomers, and to bring people together for greater resource-sharing and collaboration.
- Establishing informal networks within the specific regions. This may include coordinating online and offline meetings, mobilizing LGBTQ+ and newcomer communities at the local level, encouraging volunteerism, and stimulating community interest and engagement.
Each year, the Positive Spaces Initiative (PSI) identifies regional Champions who start conversations in their communities through outreach, referrals, building networks, and events.
Staff
The mission of OCASI and our staff is to achieve equality, access and full participation for immigrants and refugees in every aspect of Canadian life.