VACA 15-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
"LEGACY FOR OUR CHILDREN" GALA PICTURES
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THE UNITED NATIONS HAS DECLARED
2015-2024 THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT
http://www.un.org/en/events/africandescentdecade/
Learn & Participate
Decade for People of African Descent As proclaimed by the General Assembly, the theme for the International Decade is
Recognition, Justice and Development.”
VACA is working to develop a community space in York Region for the black community as a legacy for generations to come.
Welcome to the Vaughan African Canadian Association
We are a service-oriented non-profit organization in the City of Vaughan since 2003. Our primary focus is youth programs and providing support for youths and families in a variety of sectors.
Prime Minister of Canada, Right Hon. Justin Trudeau
with Shernett Martin, Executive Director, Vaughan African Canadian Association
"I was thrilled when I posed for this picture at the Ontario Library Association almost 10 years ago where I was a speaker and conference presenter and Justin Trudeau was our Keynote Speaker. Years later, he is our Prime Minister. Pretty Awesome."
THE VAUGHAN AFRICAN CANADIAN ASSOCIATION
PARTNERS WITH NCCM (NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CANADIAN MUSLIMS)
TO HOLD THE YRDSB ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANTI-BLACK RACISM AND ISLAMOPHOBIA
Since our inception in 2003, we have fought to bring the issue of anti-black racism, discrimination, intolerance and a lack of diversity and equity in the York Region District School Board.
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The Oro-African Methodist Church is a National treasure in the Township of Oro-Medonte, Ontario, Canada. The church was built in 1847 by freed slaves, some of whom fought int he War of 1812 with the Coloured Corps. This story pays homage to the strength, resilience and pride of the men and women who built the church.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Nelly and Lestey are best friends who witness the restoration of the old church on Champlain Lane. Although not everyone in the community understands the importance of restoring the church, Nelly and her family teach others about the history of the church and bring together their community to honour their ancestral heritage.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Nelly and Lestey are best friends who witness the restoration of the old church on Champlain Lane. Although not everyone in the community understands the importance of restoring the church, Nelly and her family teach others about the history of the church and bring together their community to honour their ancestral heritage.
Oro-African Methodist Church
Restoration Project
Friday August 19, 2016 11:00am
The Oro-African Methodist Church was built by freed slaves who were given land for playing a pivotal role in the Military during the War of 1812. This church still stands, but was in need of renovations to restore it to its natural beauty. VACA partnered with the Township of Oro-Medonte to apply for funding to restore the church. After months of construction and work with historians and relatives of the families who helped build the church, we finally were able to reveal the renovated church. An incredible Grand Re-Opening was planned with special guests, performers, our MC Mike "Pinball" Clemons, and relatives from the original families who built the church.
This project was the most impactful project VACA has ever undertaken and we are deeply proud of this achievement and thankful to the Ontario government and the Ontario Trillium Foundation for funding the restoration of this important Canadian Heritage site.
The Oro-African Methodist Church was built by freed slaves who were given land for playing a pivotal role in the Military during the War of 1812. This church still stands, but was in need of renovations to restore it to its natural beauty. VACA partnered with the Township of Oro-Medonte to apply for funding to restore the church. After months of construction and work with historians and relatives of the families who helped build the church, we finally were able to reveal the renovated church. An incredible Grand Re-Opening was planned with special guests, performers, our MC Mike "Pinball" Clemons, and relatives from the original families who built the church.
This project was the most impactful project VACA has ever undertaken and we are deeply proud of this achievement and thankful to the Ontario government and the Ontario Trillium Foundation for funding the restoration of this important Canadian Heritage site.
Here are some pictures of the church through each phase of construction. a plaque listing all the stakeholders involved in the project, a plaque with the names of the families that built the church in the mid 1800's, and pictures from the Grand re-opening.
VACA - WHAT WE DO
Providing Innovative Programs and
Services for our Community
The Vaughan African Canadian Association is a not for profit organization serving the Vaughan community since its inception in 2003. The organization's mandate is to provide innovative programs and services for the African-Caribbean community in the city of Vaughan. Our main focus is providing programs for families and youth.
The Vaughan African Canadian Association began as a series of meetings with residents from the city of Vaughan from diverse African/Caribbean backgrounds. The residents that attended the meetings all had a lengthy history of volunteering in the community. We all had a common goal of "giving back" to the community and working to provide a better future for the youth. As the influx of diverse populations moved into Vaughan we began to hear more concerns. The meetings became larger in number and families were sharing personal stories about the need to have an organization serving the black community in the city of Vaughan. A Board of directors was established and a constitution, bylaws and framework for the organization was developed by members. The Vaughan African Canadian organization was incorporated in July, 2003. Since then we have built a volunteer organization that continues to provide innovative programs and services to meet the needs of the community.
Our Strategic Vision is built around the need for effective service delivery through providing awareness, opportunities, leadership development, economic opportunities, organizational development and capacity building .
VACA is currently looking for a new location that will provide adequate office space to ensure the growth of our organization and support our ability to provide our programs and services to the community.
Education and Youth Empowerment:
We have programs in place to support learning and education of all children and youth by providing cultural awareness programs, after-school programs, tutorial programs, media literacy, parenting workshops, early childhood literacy, after-care programs and recreational activities for children and youth.
Economic Empowerment:
We provide programs that invest in the financial literacy and employability of youth and adults through innovative programs, networking and partnerships, job training, shared resources, and business education.
Health and Quality of Life:
We promote community wellness through a focus on awareness and prevention, including fitness, healthy eating and a Provincial Awareness Campaign on diseases that primarily affect and are on a steady incline in the African/Canadian community (diabetes, high blood pressure, colon/breast cancer, sickle cell disease, thallasemia)
Youth Civic Engagement and Leadership Empowerment:
We encourage young people to take an active role to improve their quality of life through participation in leadership development, politics, active volunteerism, community service projects and partnerships with community agencies, stakeholders and service providers.
Strong and Healthy Families:
We provide inter-generational, innovative, healthy living and wellness programs to meet the demands and needs of the black community in order to support families. We will provide opportunities for men, women and seniors to attend social and recreational programs to meet other families throughout Vaughan.
Social Justice and Human Rights Focus:
We promote the awareness of social justice and anti-oppressive issues by encouraging the notion of "giving back, and passing it forward" and using our time, energy and abilities to assist members of our community who need encouragement, assistance and support. We are creating a movement embedded in building character.
The Vaughan African Canadian Association began as a series of meetings with residents from the city of Vaughan from diverse African/Caribbean backgrounds. The residents that attended the meetings all had a lengthy history of volunteering in the community. We all had a common goal of "giving back" to the community and working to provide a better future for the youth. As the influx of diverse populations moved into Vaughan we began to hear more concerns. The meetings became larger in number and families were sharing personal stories about the need to have an organization serving the black community in the city of Vaughan. A Board of directors was established and a constitution, bylaws and framework for the organization was developed by members. The Vaughan African Canadian organization was incorporated in July, 2003. Since then we have built a volunteer organization that continues to provide innovative programs and services to meet the needs of the community.
Our Strategic Vision is built around the need for effective service delivery through providing awareness, opportunities, leadership development, economic opportunities, organizational development and capacity building .
VACA is currently looking for a new location that will provide adequate office space to ensure the growth of our organization and support our ability to provide our programs and services to the community.
Education and Youth Empowerment:
We have programs in place to support learning and education of all children and youth by providing cultural awareness programs, after-school programs, tutorial programs, media literacy, parenting workshops, early childhood literacy, after-care programs and recreational activities for children and youth.
Economic Empowerment:
We provide programs that invest in the financial literacy and employability of youth and adults through innovative programs, networking and partnerships, job training, shared resources, and business education.
Health and Quality of Life:
We promote community wellness through a focus on awareness and prevention, including fitness, healthy eating and a Provincial Awareness Campaign on diseases that primarily affect and are on a steady incline in the African/Canadian community (diabetes, high blood pressure, colon/breast cancer, sickle cell disease, thallasemia)
Youth Civic Engagement and Leadership Empowerment:
We encourage young people to take an active role to improve their quality of life through participation in leadership development, politics, active volunteerism, community service projects and partnerships with community agencies, stakeholders and service providers.
Strong and Healthy Families:
We provide inter-generational, innovative, healthy living and wellness programs to meet the demands and needs of the black community in order to support families. We will provide opportunities for men, women and seniors to attend social and recreational programs to meet other families throughout Vaughan.
Social Justice and Human Rights Focus:
We promote the awareness of social justice and anti-oppressive issues by encouraging the notion of "giving back, and passing it forward" and using our time, energy and abilities to assist members of our community who need encouragement, assistance and support. We are creating a movement embedded in building character.
VACA gratefully acknowledges support from Mayor Bevilacqua and Vaughan Council through the Mayor's Gala fundraiser.
VACA gratefully acknowledges support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation
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To contact us please call (647) 890-INFO
or email vaca@rogers.com |
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