Overview

The Student and Family Advocates (SFA) initiative will offer community-based and culturally-relevant advocacy supports to Black students and families in:

  • the Greater Toronto Area
  • Ottawa
  • Hamilton

Student and family advocates will help Black students and families connect to supports, services and opportunities to help them achieve their educational, career, and life goals.

Student and family advocates will work directly with your family to develop individual strategies for helping you and your child to overcome barriers when navigating school processes and systems. The advocates will provide a range of supports, which may include:

  • supporting you and your child to navigate through elementary, secondary and postsecondary school systems
  • advocating for your family during processes like disciplinary practices and parent-teacher communications
  • helping you and your child access community resources and services
  • building a relationship with your family inside and outside of schools
  • providing leadership, advice and support to schools on anti-Black racism
  • cultivating positive outcomes for Black children, youth and families in schools
  • working with community partners, participants and schools to amplify the voices and experiences of Black students and families to activate changes in education systems

Find a student and family advocates host organization

Student and family advocates work out of community-based organizations that serve Black children, youth and families. Local organizations in Ottawa, Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area help families connect with Advocates. Contact an organization in your community to learn if your child is eligible.

Contact us

You can email your questions about the Student and Family Advocates initiative to youthengagement@ontario.ca.