No one should feel like they are the only one.
Our Vision
A world where children and youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities live authentic lives.
Our Mission
To foster Awareness, Respect and Capacity through SOGI-inclusive K-12 education.
Our Values
Accessible: We are approachable and responsive, making ourselves and our resources available with as few barriers as possible. We are open to dialogue and seek to understand multiple perspectives.
Adaptable: We respond thoughtfully to changing circumstances or needs and remain curious and creative in finding solutions to support educators. We approach change with a positive mindset and openness to new ideas.
Collaboration: We believe bringing diverse perspectives together expands capacity and fosters a sense of community, and ultimately leads to better outcomes. Simply put, it’s more equitable when we work together.
Empathy: We value empathy in all our interactions; listening with compassion and open minds to be inclusive of all perspectives in seeking authenticity, respect and well-being for all.
Integrity: We are guided by acting honestly, transparently and professionally to be trustworthy and accountable to our stakeholders, our partners, and to each other. Credibility and reputation are earned; acting with integrity achieves this.
Why We Do This Work
Canada is a leader in reducing 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination.
Seventy-three countries still consider same-sex relationships illegal. In seven of these countries, same-sex acts are punishable by death. In almost all countries, transphobic laws limit the freedom to act in ways that do not conform to the roles and expectations that are culturally determined by a person's sex at birth.
The health, freedom and safety of students are at risk.
About 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are five times more likely to consider suicide, and seven times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers.
The rate of discrimination experienced among students who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ is three times higher than heterosexual youth.
64% percent of recent BEd grads say they were not prepared for SOGI-inclusive education.
Homophobia and transphobia affect all students whether they identify as 2SLGBTQ+ or not.
Change is needed now as much as ever.
For students, the newly emerging anti-2SLGBTQ+ sentiment that they see in social media and North American politics only emphasizes some of their struggles to come to terms with their own sexual orientation and gender identity.
Our Focus:
Schools
School might be the only place a student feels safe to be their authentic self. For youth who don’t experience a sense of belonging at home, a teacher could be the one supportive adult that helps them feel valued. When a student feels connected to their school, they have a higher chance of graduating, are less likely to experience substance abuse and experience better mental health into young adulthood. ARC Foundation is committed to a long-lasting and far-reaching approach to changing the experience of youth one school at a time.
Our Approach:
Systemic Collaboration
There is so much great work already being done. However, many experts are working in isolation and institutional silos, grossly limiting the potential impact we could have on students’ lives. At ARC Foundation, we create and co-fund breakthrough collaboration models for bringing everyone together for accelerated and sustainable change.
WHY COLLABORATION?
To create a common language for unprecedented conversations
To combine expertise for greater impact and innovation
To give leaders a collective voice and larger audience
To create a movement for change in which newcomers feel welcome
Because we are stronger together