February marks Black History Month, a time to reflect, honour and celebrate the achievements, contributions and leadership of Black communities and individuals. This year at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST), we’re embracing the theme of Roots of Resilience. This theme acknowledges the deep-rooted history, perseverance, and connections that we see every day strengthen Black children, youth, caregivers and families.

Nurturing the Roots: Keeping Families Together
At the heart of our work is the goal of family preservation. Over 90% of our efforts with families takes place within their homes, reflecting our commitment to keeping children and youth with their caregivers or with kin – members of their extended family or community – whenever possible.

For Black children and youth, these connections are critical to fostering a positive sense of self and cultural pride. By working collaboratively with families, kin and community members, we aim to create environments that support the nurturing of Black identities. This involves listening to children, youth and caregivers, honouring their experiences, and ensuring culturally responsive practices are at the core of our Service.

Extending our Branches: Partnerships for Support
We are dedicated to ensuring Black families have access to supportive networks that empower them to thrive. Through strategic partnerships, we aim to address the unique needs of Black families by leveraging culturally relevant resources and programs. These partnerships equip families with the tools and support they need within and from their own communities.

These collaborations aim to create pathways for Black families to access services that respect their lived experiences and empower them to build sustainable foundations of support.

Celebrating Every Branch: Supporting Intersecting Identities
We recognize the rich diversity of identities, cultures, histories and experiences within the Black community, acknowledging that it is not monolithic. We aim to provide services that honour the unique cultural expressions, practices, religions, languages, and traditions of each family.

We also know that within the Black community are individuals whose identities intersect with other lived experiences, including 2SLGBTQ+ identities, those with disabilities, complex needs, and more. Our Service approach works to understand and support these unique experiences to ensure equitable outcomes for the children, youth and families we serve.

Deep Roots, Year-Round Commitment
Black History Month serves as a vital platform to celebrate, excellence, resilience and foster meaningful conversations about the experiences of Black families and communities. It’s also a reminder that these conversations must extend beyond February.

At CAST, we remain committed to continuing building community partnerships, educating our staff, examining system challenges, and driving change to support Black children, youth and caregivers across the Greater Toronto Area. Together, we can honour the past, support the present and build a future rooted in equitable opportunities for all families.