engagement guidelines

At Hearts Open for Everyone (HOPE), our mission is to uplift diverse communities through inclusive educational programming and cultural celebration. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive practices, as well as socially responsible partnerships, drive the way we select both sponsors and participants.

Guiding Values

We centre our partnerships and community engagement on the following pillars:

Equity & Equality

We welcome organizations and individuals who prioritize access, fairness, and the active dismantling of barriers for historically marginalized groups.

Gender Affirming

We seek partners and participants who respect and uplift gender diversity, including trans and non-binary identities, through affirming language, policies, and representation.

Community-Centred

Preference is given to those based in and serving our local communities of Elmira, St. Jacobs, Kitchener and Waterloo. We believe in nurturing relationships that reflect and enhance our shared cultural and geographical roots. Non-Controversial Affiliations – While we support informed civic engagement, we avoid affiliations that promote divisive or discriminatory ideologies. Sponsors and participants must uphold inclusive, ethical, and human-centred values.

Sponsor Selection

We align with sponsors who:

  • Demonstrate a track record of or willingness to embrace DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) initiatives.
  • Operate with transparency and ethical business practices.
  • Do not engage in political, social, or economic activities that contradict our mission.

Workshop Facilitator Selection

We welcome individuals and organizations that:

  • Reflect our multicultural values through their lived experiences, work, or outreach.
  • Demonstrate deep awareness of cultural nuances and histories, paired with a willingness to learn from participants.
  • Create psychologically safe environments where all voices feel welcome. Respect the beliefs of others and refrain from imposing one’s ideologies unto others.
  • Navigate intergroup dynamics with empathy and clarity.

Vendor Selection

For cultural events such as the Multicultural Festival of Elmira, we welcome vendors that:

  • Demonstrate respect for diverse cultures, traditions, and identities.
  • Authentically showcase the heritage of a given community or group through art, cuisine, music and other forms of cultural expression, avoiding stereotypes or misrepresentations in their products, services, and presentations.
  • Offer items for sale that are locally made and/or produced using the traditional knowledge or practices of a particular cultural group.
  • Adhere to Public Health’s food safety standards when providing freshly-prepared food or packaged food items for sale.
  • Employ culturally representative staff or collaborators who understand the nuances of the communities being celebrated.

By maintaining these standards, we create an inclusive, affirming, and impactful space where every voice is valued, and every partnership serves the greater good of our community.

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