Why We March announces new funding

The Why We March (WWM) group in London, Ont. is using money from an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant to “fill a gap in the community.”

“We’re trying to be an inclusive space for 2SLGBTQIA+ people,” said Abbey Buist, program director at WWM. “London currently doesn’t have a community center for that community, so we’re trying to create that space.”

The organization — which has been around for just under a decade — announced Saturday that it received an $11,100 grant from the OTF resilience fund.

“It’s about trying to help our organization recover from the pandemic and become more resilient,” said Dustin Boam, executive director of WWM. “The money allows us to take that virtual step.”

The money was used to purchase webcams and video conferencing equipment, which will allow their community hub to offer virtual programming and their council to meet online until they have a physical meeting space.

“We did a program called Community Conversations where we basically had a topic in the community through a survey and they came in once a month and we talked about issues or things we can do as a hub to help them .” Buist said.

They previously met in person before the pandemic at Innovation Works, but costs rose and the group decided to go virtual.

“We just want to reconnect and socialize,” Boam said. “That’s really missing post-pandemic and in all communities, not just the LGBTQ2S+ community.”

Ultimately, the plan is to create the PRISM Community Center within the next five years, although funding for their non-profit organizations has been difficult to come by.

They describe the PRISM Community Hub as a place that will offer programs, services and workshops designed to break isolation and overcome barriers.

“We applied for community funding through the city, but honestly, we didn’t get approval to open,” Boam said. “There is an uphill battle, but it is a good fight to fight. I think it’s a good cause and will really help the community in the long run.”