Fleming College

As a way to give back to the community, six students in Fleming College’s Social Service Worker program hosted a fundraiser on Feb. 12, the One Love Dance, at the Steele Centre at Sutherland Campus. With support from the Student Administrative Council, the Fleming Association of Queer Students (FAQS), and the Fleming Positive Space Education Program, the student group raised $615.  

And on Monday, March 3, they donated the proceeds to the local community group, PARN – Your Community AIDS Resource Network. 

“As future social service workers, we feel diversity and understanding are important to our work. The drive behind One Love was the desire to create an inclusive, safe space in a fun environment while recognizing the challenges many students face. What was simply a class project requirement, One Love grew into a determination to be unified in two causes we felt strongly about: Positive Space environments on our campus, and giving back to the community through supporting PARN, an organization that does admirable work. We were never driven by a ‘good grade’ but only by exceeding our goals to raise funds and fun,” says Jenn Seeley, one of the students who organized the fundraiser.

“The success of the One Love Dance night illustrates an example of the impact of the Positive Space Education Program and the good work of Fleming students. It is an indicator of the passion of student groups like FAQS and the important role their allies play in creating safer and more inclusive communities on our campuses, with a great outcome for a community partner we value”, said Greg Jefford, Manager, Student Life

The Fleming Positive Space Education Program was inspired by work individual Fleming faculty members and PARN were already engaged in. Officially launched in August 2012, the Fleming Positive Space Education Program builds an inclusive and welcoming college where people of all sexual orientations and gender identities experience safety, respect, equity, and belonging.

The program is coordinated by the Fleming Diversity Office and was developed through a partnership with PARN Your Community AIDS Resource Network, the Fleming Association of Queer Students (FAQS), the Frost Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), and many college allies. Development of the program was funded through the Women’s Campus Safety Fund of the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities.

The most important goal of the program is to build safer, positive spaces for LGBTQ students on campus, ensuring that every student experiences an equitable education and the Fleming promise of Learn, Belong, Become. Positive Space is one of many Fleming human rights initiatives and is offered regularly through the employee professional development calendar.

For more information about FAQS, please contact faqs@flemingcollege.ca. For more information about the Fleming Positive Space Education Program, please contact diversity@flemingcollege.ca .

“Fleming College believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are the cornerstones of success for both students and staff. Our actions demonstrate that we are committed on an ongoing basis to removing barriers and to actively evolving a culture of respect, recognition, accommodation and celebration of each other’s unique contributions to Fleming’s learning and working environment.”

About Fleming College
Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Community Development and Health, Continuing Education, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Science, Justice and Business, and Skilled Trades and Technology. Fleming College has more than 5,900 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and more than 65,000 alumni.

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For more information
Laura Copeland, Communications Officer at laura.copeland@flemingcollege.ca or 705.749.5530 x 1370