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Community Agencies
COLLABORATING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
Collaboration with other community agencies is vital to SPCO. Our community collaborators include Oxford Community Foundation, United Way Oxford, and the Social Planning Network of Ontario.
Here are three reasons why these collaborative efforts are so essential:
Holistic Approach
- Social issues are multifaceted and interconnected. By collaborating with various agencies, we’re able to address different aspects of a problem. For example, homelessness involves housing, mental health, employment, and substance abuse. Collaboration allows us to work together to provide workable solutions.
Resource Sharing
- Agencies have unique resources, expertise, and networks. By pooling resources, we can maximize their impact. For instance, a housing agency might collaborate with a food bank to address both housing and food insecurity at the same time.
Collective Advocacy
- Together, we advocate for policy changes or, where appropriate, shared funding. A united approach is more powerful when it comes to complex social justice and policy reforms.
If you represent a community agency in Oxford County or are conducting research or advocacy efforts that could benefit Oxford County, please reach out. Let’s explore how we can work together to improve the well-being of our community.
Youth
YOUTH VOICES SHAPE OUR FUTURE
Youth voices and action are critical to community building in Oxford County. We engage in numerous initiatives in support of youth wellbeing, including our flagship initiative called Communities Building Youth Futures.
Communities Building Youth Futures (CBYF) is a youth-led initiative focused on improving high school graduation rates and youth outcomes in Oxford County. Projects include:
- Youth social spaces
- Youth engagement grants
- Youth education and employment fund
- Community mental health training
As the leader of this collaborative project, Social Planning Council Oxford houses the staff and provides guidance, resources, and access to community networks.
To date, Communities Building Youth Futures has achieved several key milestones:
- Supervised training and supported youth staff.
- Established Youth Innovators, a group of 20-30 local youth from diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives from all across Oxford County. These youth leaders select priority areas and guide the creation and implementation of CBYF efforts.
- Gathered a network of Community Allies, representatives from 14 local youth-serving organizations from multiple sectors. These skilled allies support the implementation of Youth Innovators-identified priority areas and provide guidance around legislative and liability considerations.
- Established a Youth Education and Employment Fund and Youth Engagement Grants.
We are proud to contribute our expertise and allyship to this collaborative initiative. For more information, visit oxfordyouth.ca.
Corporate Partners
ACHIEVE YOUR CSR AND STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY GOALS
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and philanthropic goals are essential components to creating a healthy community. As a forward-thinking business, you have the power to make a significant impact beyond your bottom line. By partnering with us, you can contribute to community wellbeing while reaping benefits for your brand and the health of your business.
Social Impact: We are committed to creating positive change in our community in areas such as affordable housing, transportation, poverty and marginalization. By joining forces with us, your business becomes an active participant in this important work.
Brand Profile: Partnering with us provides a unique opportunity to enhance your brand’s reputation. By supporting our work, you demonstrate your commitment to social responsibility, which resonates with socially conscious consumers. Your brand will be associated with positive impact, trust, and community engagement.
Employee Morale: Engaged employees are the heart of any successful organization. When your team sees your commitment to community wellbeing, they will feel proud to be part of your company. Our joint efforts will create meaningful experiences for your employees, fostering a sense of purpose and teamwork.
Contact us today to explore how we can create positive change hand in hand. Together, we can make a lasting impact on Oxford County.
Social Justice Trailblazers
APPLY FOR OUR ANNUAL SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD
Each year, the Social Planning Council Oxford honours a local social justice trailblazer with the Social Justice Award. This award recognizes those who devote their time and energy to the pursuit of social justice in Oxford County. The award celebrates those who work for social change and provide services to marginalized members of our society.
Award Criteria:
- There is a clear impact on the community that can be attributed to the work of the individual or group.
- The work of this individual or group is either ongoing or was conducted for a considerable period of time.
- Must show a commitment to social justice in times of crises.
- Trailblazer in matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the context of organizational change, community engagement, and/or social transformation.
- Works, volunteers, and/or lives in Oxford County.
Those With Lived Experience
YOUR STORY MATTERS
People with lived experience play a crucial role in shaping effective social planning. Their firsthand knowledge provides valuable insights that we cannot fully understood from data or research alone.
When you share your views and suggestions based on your lived experience, we gain valuable insight into:
- the challenges you face;
- the impact of policies;
- and the gaps in existing services.
Here are some examples of how lived experience can inform policy:
- If you have transitioned from homelessness to secure, affordable housing, your experience can reveal profound insights into the impact of stable housing and the supports that help community members achieve it.
- Perhaps you are a newcomer to the community (or country) facing financial strain. Your experiences can help us advocate for policies that support vulnerable populations.
Please reach out to share your story. You can help us create a stronger community.
Social Planning Council Oxford
447 Hunter Street
Woodstock, ON Canada
N4S 4G7
phone: (226) 228-0539
email: info@spcoxford.ca
About Us
The goal of the Social Planning Council Oxford is to bring people together to actively participate in social development to improve the quality of life of Oxford County residents.