Khadija El Hilali, recent Carleton University graduate, FIST staff member and community activist, recently launched Support Sistem in hopes of continuing her community-building efforts and the activism work she has engaged in for many years.
In July of 2022, Support Sistem offered essential grocery items to 200 families in two of Ottawa’s low-income neighbourhoods: Overbrook and Herongate. Each family received items such as rice, pasta, frozen chicken and meat, oil, sugar, flour, cereal, dry beans, fresh onions, fresh potatoes, and much more!
The grocery boxes will last between three to five months, depending on the number of family members, income, and other factors. Khadija’s initiative has garnered a lot of support from the community and various media attention, namely CBC Ottawa Morning with Robyn Bresnahan, CTV News Ottawa, CFRA News Talk Radio, and WAALI News.
The objective of Support Sistem is to provide support for single-parent and low-income families living in Ottawa, unceded Algonquin Territory, by way of fundraising, mutual aid, knowledge/resource sharing, and community/solidarity-building activities and events.
Support Sistem aspires to be a low-barrier/barrier-free support sistem for families who are systemically minoritized due to race, language, and/or immigration status. Support Sistem aims to prioritize families who are racialized, have low/no-income, are impacted by incarceration and/or colonialism, experiencing and/or escaping violent situations (domestic abuse and/or state surveillance), and/or are otherwise in precarious situations.
You can keep up with upcoming initiatives by visiting the Facebook page or the Instagram page. If you’re interested in getting involved, please send an email to contact@supportsistem.ca