K-W Solidarity March for Black Lives Matter raises $17K for local Black, Indigenous programs

Organizers with the The K-W Solidarity March for Black Lives Matter say a fundraiser set up to cover the costs of the march has raised$17,000 in donations. Most of that moneywill be used to pay for programs to support Black and Indigenous kids and teens in the region, organizers said in a release.

The African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) Network of Waterloo Regionsaid in a release that$15,000 will be donated to theCountry Hills Recreation Association (CHRA).

"This organization offers affordable programs to support Black and Indigenous children and youth in their neighbourhood and surrounding areas," the network said in a release.

In a release, the network said money will go toward three main areas:

• Camps and outdoor activities.
• Mentorship opportunities.
• Education.

CHRA will allocate the money to help cover the costs for transportation and equipment for camps and other outdoor activities.

The donation will also help fund mentorship opportunities with Black and Indigenous Elders, as well as fund education support programs to help families strengthen their learning environments at home and provide children and youth with back to school supplies.

The remaining $2,000 will be donated to the Pins and Needles Fabric Company, an Indigenous-led arts not-for-profit that provides art opportunities to Black and Indigenous youth in the region.

"Black and Indigenous solidarity is essential for the work ahead of us," the ACB Network said in the release.