Everyone Belongs Pilot aims to grow inclusion across Grey-Bruce
By Sarah McGoldrick
(Photo L-R: Colleen Purdon, Donald Anderson, MPP Paul Vickers, David Morris, and Deepikaa Gupta, Project Manager. Colleen, Donald and David are founding board members of Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce.)
A new pilot project is helping ensure everyone in Grey-Bruce feels welcomed, connected and valued in their community.
The Everyone Belongs Pilot, led by Welcoming Communities Grey-Bruce, has received an $84,500 seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The funding will support initiatives that foster inclusion, strengthen community connections and create opportunities for residents of all backgrounds to come together.
Since 2005, Welcoming Communities Grey-Bruce has worked to advance inclusion across the region by supporting newcomers and long-time residents through partnerships, research, programs and advocacy. The new pilot project builds on that work by promoting a stronger sense of belonging for all who call Grey-Bruce home.
“As someone who immigrated to Canada and chose to build my life in Grey-Bruce, this project is deeply personal to me,” said Welcoming Communities Grey-Bruce project manager Deepikaa Gupta. “When I first moved here, I experienced moments of social isolation and subtle racism. While people were generally kind and welcoming, there were times when I felt different or excluded simply because I was new and looked different from most people around me.”
Gupta said those experiences taught her that belonging is about more than being welcomed — it is also about feeling connected, valued and included.
In her previous career, Gupta said she heard many stories from newcomers and residents across the region who were struggling to find inclusion. She said people loved living in Grey-Bruce but often struggled to build meaningful social connections and develop a true sense of belonging.
The Everyone Belongs initiative builds on the strong foundation established by Welcoming Communities Grey-Bruce, which has been fostering inclusive and connected communities since 2005.
Through conversations with residents, community organizations, local leaders and research conducted through the Immigration Partnership, Gupta said the organization identified a need for more opportunities to bring people together, build understanding and celebrate the diversity that strengthens the region.
Beyond the social benefits, Gupta said belonging also has an important economic impact.
“Through my previous work in economic development, immigrant settlement and retention, I saw firsthand that people are more likely to stay, work, invest, and raise their families in communities where they feel connected and welcomed,” she said. “Creating a sense of belonging helps communities retain talent, strengthen the workforce, and support local economic growth. In a region like Grey Bruce, where many employers face labour shortages, building welcoming communities is not just the right thing to do—it is also an investment in our future prosperity.”
Over the next year, Gupta said residents can expect a variety of activities designed to bring people together and strengthen community connections. In addition to the Everyone Belongs Pledge Campaign, multicultural celebrations are planned, and residents will have the opportunity to participate in Seeds of Belonging, the Belonging Walk, Colours of Belonging, the One World Festival, storytelling projects, community conversations, workshops and family-friendly events.
Participants will also have opportunities to share their own stories and perspectives on what belonging means to them and to sign the Everyone Belongs Pledge.
“One thing I have learned through my work in community engagement is that stories create connections. When people learn about one another's experiences, they begin to see common ground. Our goal is to create welcoming spaces where residents can learn from one another, celebrate diversity, and build relationships across Grey Bruce,” she said.
The "Everyone Belongs in Grey Bruce" pledge campaign invites residents, businesses, organizations and community groups to make a personal commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive communities.
“Belonging often starts with simple actions—introducing yourself to a new neighbour, inviting someone to participate in a community activity, or taking time to learn about another person's experience. The campaign encourages people to reflect on what belonging means to them and identify practical actions they can take to foster inclusion,” she said, adding the program's goal is to spark conversations, inspire action and create a visible movement across Grey-Bruce that reinforces the message that everyone has a role to play in building a welcoming community.
“Success will be measured not only by the number of pledges signed, but also by the conversations, partnerships, and actions that emerge from the campaign,” she added.
Delivering a program such as Everyone Belongs in Grey-Bruce does come with challenges. Gupta said the program covers an area of more than 8,400 square kilometres, making it difficult for everyone to participate equally.
“We also recognize that many residents have busy work and family schedules, which is why we are planning activities on evenings and weekends to increase accessibility,” she said, adding that despite this, rural communities have tremendous strengths.
Gupta said people in the area care deeply about their neighbours and have a strong sense of community pride.
“Our approach is to work closely with local partners and residents to ensure programming reflects local realities and needs. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we want communities to help co-design activities that are meaningful, accessible, and relevant,” she said.
To help guide the project, Gupta said an advisory group made up of local leaders and community representatives has been established to ensure the initiative builds on existing efforts rather than duplicating them and that activities reflect community needs.
“The feedback has been very encouraging. Newcomers have shared that they appreciate seeing belonging and inclusion being discussed openly and positively. Many are excited about opportunities to connect with others and share their experiences,” she said, adding that long-time residents have also been supportive and eager to learn more about different cultures and perspectives.
Community organizations have also welcomed the opportunity to collaborate around a shared vision of creating stronger, more connected communities.
“The enthusiasm we have seen reflects a genuine desire across Grey Bruce to ensure everyone feels valued and included,” she said.
Reflecting on the program's success so far, Gupta said she is encouraged. She said her vision is for Grey-Bruce to be a place where everyone feels respected, included and able to contribute, regardless of their background.
“As an immigrant woman raising a family here, I want all residents to feel they belong and see themselves reflected in the community,” she said, adding success will be measured through community participation, new partnerships, pledge engagement and feedback from residents. “Most importantly, it will be reflected in people feeling more connected to their communities and to one another.”
Everyone Belongs is about more than events or activities, Gupta said. It is about creating opportunities for connection, building lasting relationships, encouraging understanding and fostering a culture of inclusion that continues long after the project ends.
She said strong communities attract and retain people, support local businesses and help employers build and maintain a skilled workforce.
“When people feel they belong, they are more likely to stay, contribute, volunteer, start businesses, and invest in the future of their community,” she said. “If we can help people feel more connected to one another and more invested in the success and well-being of their neighbours, we will not only build stronger communities—we will also contribute to the long-term social and economic vitality of Grey Bruce.” ◊