Faith Spaces | Safe Spaces Receives Community Wellbeing Grant

Faith Spaces | Safe Spaces, a grassroots, interfaith initiative co-led by the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton and Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA), is the recipient of a City of Edmonton grant to build safe, inclusive community spaces.

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and members of the City of Edmonton presented a Community Safety and Well-being (CSWB) Grant to the Venerable Jordan. Haynie Ware, Diocese of Edmonton Archdeacon for Justice; and Bella Asiri Opiyo, a founding member of Faith Spaces | Safe Spaces and a parishioner at Good Shepherd Anglican Church, on December 8 at IFSSA. 

“Faith Spaces | Safe Spaces is an interfaith anti-racism project that seeks to build solidarity among people of faith to support one another when they experience racism,” says the Ven. Haynie Ware, Archdeacon for Social Justice and rector of Good Shepherd, Edmonton. 

Through workshops and interfaith gatherings offered by a broad interreligious network, the initiative will “equip faith communities to provide safe spaces for BIPOC believers to practice their spirituality,” says Asiri Opiyo. 

The initiative will provide opportunities for “members of different faith communities to receive healing and spiritual nourishment in safe, inclusive, and vibrant sanctuaries free from racism and hate,” she adds.

Christians and Muslims gathered online in anti-racist solidarity for the inaugural Faith Spaces | Safe Spaces virtual event held during Black History Month and World Interfaith Harmony Week in February 2022.

“It feels amazing,” for the initiative to be able to continue with support from the City of Edmonton, says Haynie Ware.

Listen to the Faith Spaces | Safe Spaces CBC Radio One interview

Pictured: Archdeacon Jordan Haynie Ware and Bella Asiri Opiyo, founding members of Faith Spaces | Safe Spaces, join CSWB grant recipients, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and members of the City of Edmonton at the grant presentations on December 8.