AboutFace, Canada’s facial difference charity, launches exciting new Mission and Strategic Plan
Today AboutFace debuted its new three-year Strategic Plan which includes a refreshed mission, vision, and values. The vision focuses on building safe and inclusive spaces through “the elimination of the stigma and discrimination encountered by individuals with a facial difference.” To fulfill its vision, AboutFace will focus on refining their work “[t]o cultivate equity and opportunity for individuals with a facial difference through supportive programming, advocacy, and education.”
This strategic review and planning process was made possible thanks to a $48,700 Resilient Communities Fund grant awarded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation last year. The Resilient Communities Fund program was designed to help the non-profit sector in recovering and rebuilding from the impacts emerging from COVID-19 so that it can effectively meet the needs of communities across Ontario. The grant also allowed AboutFace to make critical changes to their Peer2Peer program which moved online, review health and safety procedures, and purchase PPE.
“The pandemic has had a profound impact on people’s overall mental health and well-being. AboutFace’s new plan provides much-needed supports that can have substantial positive effect on a community that confronts great social challenges.” – MPP Chris Glover
This new strategic direction will allow the long-standing Canadian charity to focus on critical areas of expansion, including reaching more facial difference community members through programs that support psychosocial and mental health; working with employers to include facial difference in diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and procedures; and expanding its advocacy work in the areas of public acceptance and rights.
"The COVID-19 pandemic not only challenged how AboutFace delivers programs and services, but highlighted the need for a refreshed mission, vision, and values,” said Kariym Joachim, Board President and Chairperson. “AboutFace is grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting our strategic planning process and allowing us to build resilience to face future challenges."
The new strategic plan will guide the organization from 2022 through 2024.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
-30-
AboutFace is Canada’s facial difference charity, dedicated to cultivating equity and opportunity for people with facial differences through supportive programming, advocacy, and education.