The Path of Resilience
Prioritizing The Mental And Physical Health Of Women, Children & Families In Need.
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Starting Sept 2024
Free Training for Parents & Children with Autism
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Starting Sept 2024
Free Training for Parents & Children with Autism
REGISTER NOW
The Wait is Finally Over!
Women have been walking for centuries. From the nomadic walks out of Africa to the escape through the Underground Railroad and the marches of the Civil Rights, Me Too and Black Lives Matters movements; women have walked to better society, their families and communities. It’s about time that women walk for themselves and their health. The Empress Walk represents the journeys of women seeking support, better health and better lives for themselves, their children and their families.
About Us
The Empress Walk Explained
The Empress Walk initiative is a ground-breaking, community-based project that prioritizes the mental and physical health of marginalized women, families and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in toronto. Made possible by the ontario trillium foundation and the youth opportunities fund, our grassroots organization, working in partnership with stolen from africa, is able to provide access to a network of support, workshops, training and services to ACB (African, Caribbean, Black) women, families and children with autism who are in need of specialized resources within their local communities.
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In order to participate in The Empress Walk Initiative, potential candidates must complete the online application and will be evaluated according to the following criteria.
Eligibility
  • Black-identified individuals who legally reside in ​the Metropolitan Toronto Area.
  • Be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or a ​person granted refugee status in Canada.
  • Be a Black single parent of a Black child or ​children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
  • Have a Black child or children with a suspected ​or an official diagnosis of ASD.
  • Experience difficulties in accessing health & ​special education services.
  • Willing to dedicate approximately 10 hours per ​week for a 12-month period to training, ​workshops, and activities.
Services
We offer a safe community space to facilitate our specialized workshops, resources and support groups for racialized parents, children and youth with Autism. We provide professional, culturally-sensitive training in the areas of Autism awareness & neurodiversity, DIR Floortime, self-regulation, system navigation, mental health, physical health, self-advocacy, parenting and peer mentorship. Our program includes both online and in-person classes. We empower parents to play an active role in their childs development alongside having the tools they need to help their child at home.
Knowledge Building Workshops
INSPIRING PEER MENTORSHIP
Culturally Responsive Support
Why We Need More Culturally Responsive Support For Racialized Parents & Children With Autism
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29.3 Black
Children

per 1,000 children were diagnosed with Autism according to a March 2023 Report by The Center for Disease Control & Prevention.

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30% of
Parents

with children under 18 still living at home report feeling depressed according to a CAMH survey.

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53% of
Black People

participating in a recent survey experienced significant racism when interacting with healthcare professionals.

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73.6%
Caregivers

reported waiting lists as the largest barrier to accessing Ontario Autism Program (OAP) services according to Ontario's 2018 Provincially Speaking Survey.

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Events
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Our Partners
The Empress Walk Initiative is funded by the Youth Opportunities Fund which is distributed by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. We are working in collaboration with our organizational mentor, Stolen From Africa, to develop and implement this project.
FAQ

The first cohort starts September 2024.  The second and final cohorts start March 2025 and March 2026 consecutively. Only eligible participants will be approved to take part in the program.

Participants must identify as ACB (African, Caribbean or Black), are single parents, reside in Toronto, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and are parents of ACB children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The program is for ACB single parents and children and youth with ASD who are experiencing difficulties in accessing culturally-sensitive Autism support as well as unbiased healthcare and education services that cater to their unique needs.

Yes. However, families are assessed based on their individual needs, profile and circumstances. Exceptions may apply. The Empress Walk Executive Team and its funding partners make the final decisions on who will participate in the program.

The Empress Walk Initiative is a free program funded by the Youth Opportunities Fund and The Ontario Trillium Foundation. Participants will not be paid nor will pay any fees to take part in the program.

In-person activities will primarily take place at The Creative Child located at 1061 Eglinton Avenue West in Toronto. Participants will be notified in advance regarding any change of venue or additional venues.

The Empress Walk Initiative is a hybrid program. It consists of webinars, self-paced online training, excursions and in-person group workshops.

BIPOC is a  term using person-first language which stands for Black, Indigenous, People of Color .

Healthy women make healthy communities.
We are looking for racialized women, children, youth and families in the Greater Toronto Area to join our organization and participate in our project. If you believe in our mission and would like to take part in our initiative, please contact us by email or on our social media.
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SOCIAL

LOCATED AT: The Creative Child, 1061 Eglinton Avenue, West Toronto, Ontario, M6C 2C9

E-MAIL: theempresswalk@gmail.com

    The Empress Walk Initiative Eligibility Questionnaire & Project Application

    Thank you for taking the time to complete the Eligibility Questionnaire & Project Application. Completion will take approximately 3-5 minutes. The selection process for The Empress Walk Initiative is based on specific criteria. We will select a limited number of qualifying participants for the project. The Empress Walk will retain all application results for future use and research purposes. All information is kept confidential in accordance with our policies.

    1. Contact Information





    2. Household Income

    3. Education

    4. Cultural Background

    Parents Cultural Background

    Child Cultural Background


    Do you identify as an African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) individual?

    YesNo

    Does your child identify as an African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) individual?

    YesNo

    Do you live in Metropolitan Toronto?

    YesNo

    5. Immigration Status

    Parents Immigration Status

    Child Immigration Status

    6. Autism Information

    Are you a parent of a child with an official diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

    YesNo

    Does your child have siblings?

    YesNo

    7. Language Information

    Do you speak more than one language?

    YesNo

    EnglishFrenchSpanishPortugueseArabicSwahiliYorubaSomaliOther

    8. Autism-related Services

    Are you receiving any Autism-related services for your child?

    YesNo

    Autism AssessmentsFamily ServicesSpeech & Language TherapyOccupational Therapy (OT)Assistive EquipmentEarly Years ProgramApplied Behavioural Analysis (ABA)Mental health servicesRespite services or specialized childcareEducational assistance or in school supportSocial worker or CaseworkerDisability Employment Agency or ProgramAutism Social GroupsPost-Secondary Accommodation or Accessibility ServicesOntario Autism Program (OAP)FPTChild Disability BenefitDisability Tax CreditOntario Disability Support Program (ODSP)Other

    Are you on a waitlist for any Autism-related funding or services?

    YesNo

    9. Accommodation and Accessibility

    10. Program Participation

    Are you willing to invest approximately 5 to 7 hours per week to participate in the program and complete all required activities?

    YesNo

    Want to connect with an ACB cultural community of like-minded people who support neurodiversity and can relate to my experienceWant to network with ACB professionals and participate in programs and services without bias, inequality, racial or systemic discrimination against ACB individualsWant access to Autism services that are culturally sensitive and community orientedWant access to Autism services that are free or affordableWant to access Autism services in my local neighborhood or is easily accessible within the City of TorontoWant resources to manage my physical and mental healthWant resources to manage my child's physical and mental healthWant to learn more about Autism and neurodiversityOther

    Improve my child's abilities, skills and development (language, mobility, cognition, self-regulation, etc.)Access resources and information about Autism Spectrum DisorderBe part of a community network and find supportManage my behavior and stressLearn the tools and techniques to manage and improve my mental and physical healthLearn the tools and techniques to manage and improve the mental and physical health of my childDevelop self-advocacy skillsGain system navigation knowledgeOther

    11. Filming Consent

    Do you agree to being filmed during the program for research and marketing purposes?

    YesNo

    Do you agree to having your child(ren) filmed during the program for research and marketing purposes?

    YesNo

    Are you interested and willing to take part in a separate documentary series about African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) families and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Canada?

    YesNo

    Would you allow your child to take part in a separate documentary series about African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) families and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Canada?

    YesNo

    12. Agreement

    I agree that the above information provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and ability. I understand that the above information will be kept confidential and will be used for eligibility, research, and related purposes in accordance with the policies and practices of The Empress Walk Initiative and its organization. I am fully aware of the eligibility requirements and understand that I may or may not be selected for the program. I also understand that The Empress Walk retains the right to share and release the above information that I provided to other parties, agents, and partners as part of any agreements and obligations related to The Empress Walk Initiative.



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