The Equitas Regional Office in British Columbia works closely with community to support the growth and sustainability of Equitas’ programs in Western Canada. Since 2009, we have worked in over 10 communities and with 80 community partners to identify emerging issues impacting young people, to develop innovative tools, educational resources and training to help build leadership skills of diverse children and youth in communities.
Equitas’ team members Angie Mapara Osachoff and Taylor Morton in our BC office
What we do
The Regional Office in BC supports both national and local Speaking Rights and Play it Fair! programs. To learn more about these programs, visit www.speakingrights.ca or our children and youth page.
We focus on an innovative approach to youth participation. For example, we partner with Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Restorative Justice and the Landon Pearson Resource Centre for the Study of Childhood and Children’s Rights to host the BC Shaking the Movers youth consultation.
Locally, we have supported the development of Children’s Charters in three cities across the Lower Mainland. In each city, we work closely with key stakeholders to identify their goals and create a unique process to support them to develop a children’s charter that includes children’s suggestions to their community. See the Tri Cities community Children’s Charter here.
How we work
Through participation in various community networks, we support partners and address needs in real time. For example, we are members of the BC School Centered Mental Health Coalition and Vancouver Organizing Against Racism and Hatred (OARH).
We also support local research and new approaches related to childhood wellbeing and education. Our work supports the following initiatives: