Leading up to this year’s ParticipACTION Community Challenge presented by Novo Nordisk, ParticipACTION provided grants to several sport and physical activity organizations across the country to help break down barriers and increase physical activity and sport participation for equity-denied groups. One of the grant recipients was Chroma: Pride, Inclusion, Equality Inc., a non-profit community organization that collaborates with, provides support to, and advocates for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the Menaheqesk/Saint John region of New Brunswick, which is where Saputo, one of the supporters of the 2024 Community Challenge, operates.
“Unfortunately, some members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community deal with isolation and feeling unwelcome, unheard, misunderstood and sometimes unsafe in predominantly cisgender and heterosexual spaces”, Chroma’s operations manager, Tanya James, told ParticipACTION. “At Chroma, we strive to create safe spaces, foster social connections and build communities for 2SLGBTQIA+ people to feel comfortable being their full, authentic selves without fear of being judged.”
Chroma also provides 2SLGBTQIA+ education to all, promotes positive initiatives for the community and does research to highlight gaps in services and policies in order to encourage positive change.
“One of Chroma’s main values is inclusion, so we always ensure that our programs are free of charge and available to people of all genders and ages, from children to older adults”, said Tanya. “Since many 2SLGBTQIA+ people face increased economic challenges and barriers, offering free programming is especially important.”
This year the Community Challenge grant helped support Chroma’s Outdoor Adventures program – a series of active and social outdoor meetups for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, their loved ones and allies.
“When Chroma first started to offer programming to the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community, it was through arts-based meetups called ‘Creative Nights’”, said Tanya. “Although these events were popular and well attended, we thought it would be beneficial to also provide programming for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members who are more interested in physical activity and sport than arts or who enjoy both. There is so much diversity within our community, and I wanted to offer something for everyone. So, we established our Outdoor Adventures program.
While the activities we organize through this program are quite different from the ones we offered through Creative Nights, the main goals are still the same: bring 2SLGBTQIA+ people and allies together in safe and inclusive spaces and create social connections”.
Specifically, the Community Challenge grant helped fund a nature identification walk on a local trail system in June and two guided kayak excursions on the beautiful Wolastoq/Saint John River in July.
Led by a local naturalist and outdoor enthusiast, Kirsten Johnsen, the nature identification walk took place along the Sussex Nature Walkway, where participants connected with fellow 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies and enjoyed a walk, all while learning about the fascinating flora and fauna along the trail. The walk ended with a patio social hosted at Knocks Café in Sussex that was open to all 2SLGBTQIA+ people and allies.
Both kayak tours will be led by a local queer-owned business called KV Adventures Inc. and end with bonfires and scrumptious s’mores. The first excursion will be a sunset paddle starting at Meenan’s Cove Beach in Quispamsis, New Brunswick, and the second one will be an afternoon kayak beginning at Darlings Island Covered Bridge in Nauwigewauk, New Brunswick.
“I find that 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in rural settings are smaller and more spread out, so it’s really nice to have a way for us to meet each other,” said one program participant. “Chroma provides spaces where people can make friends in the community who would otherwise be harder to find in rural settings. I think it’s great that there’s no financial barrier to Chroma’s events, as finances are often an obstacle to people getting more physically and socially active.”
“Partnering with ParticipACTION for the Community Challenge and supporting local initiatives like Chroma help foster a more connected community. We can make a positive impact in Saint John and beyond by removing obstacles and providing inclusive opportunities for everyone to engage in safe and welcoming environments. I’m proud to work for a company like Saputo that collaborates with diverse partners to contribute to creating healthier communities across Canada.”— Dave Hebert, Regional Manager, Warehouse, Saputo
“We want to extend a huge thank-you to ParticipACTION for funding our Outdoor Adventures program during the Community Challenge and focusing on groups that have traditionally been excluded from organized sport”, said Tanya. “In the future, we’ll continue to offer monthly hikes to give 2SLGBTQIA+ folks opportunities to connect with each other, with nature and with the great outdoors.”
