This Black History Month, we spotlight a unique collaboration between Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada partner, the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST), and TAIBU Community Health Centre. Through the Kaya Project, these organizations are helping to address the systemic overrepresentation of Black children and youth involved with child welfare by offering culturally affirming, anti-oppressive approaches to family support.
The Genesis of the Kaya Project
Launched in 2023, the Kaya Project was designed to support Black-identifying families in Scarborough involved with child welfare. “Kaya”—derived from the coastal Kenyan term meaning “home” or “village”—symbolizes the project’s mission: to strengthen families by fostering a “village of support.”
The partnership with CAST and TAIBU was long awaited and much needed by the Black community. The name “Kaya” reflects the project’s intention to bring families and youth back “home”—emotionally, mentally, and physically. By building protective factors, enhancing community networks, and emphasizing early intervention, the Kaya Project aims to reduce child welfare involvement and case re-referrals while improving overall family well-being.
Between April 2023 and January 2025, the program worked with 70 families, helping them access meaningful support and leading to positive outcomes by strengthening parent-child relationships and bonds.
Improving Lives: The Impact of the Kaya Project
The Kaya Project is helping to change the lives of families and youth. Rooted in the Nguzo Saba Principles—Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith—it fosters trust, resilience, and community connection.
Through therapeutic interventions, children regained a sense of identity and belonging in their schools and families:
We have heard from children and families that the Kaya project has offered them a space to be heard and to belong. Many of the great children and families we worked with were able to strengthen their sense of identity, return to school routines, and navigate the challenging environment of parenting in a positive way. From our perspective, this collaboration is an example of the important work that institutions and community need to do more of to bridge the gap for Black and racialized communities and bring about systems change. – Liben Gebremikael, CEO, TAIBU.
One family shared how the Kaya Project’s support helped them navigate immense challenges.
“Dionne*, joined the team of social workers in September of 2023, when we were going through some very difficult and challenging times with our granddaughter. She offered many different ideas and programs that would be beneficial to her. She made herself available to have regular meetings with her—even when sometimes she would show up and sometimes not. As for me and my late husband, she was a great help. We could call her anytime, sometimes when my granddaughter did not come home. I would reach out to her, and she would find ways to track her down for us. She was the first one I reached out to in December when I lost my husband. She was very sympathetic and caring and told me not to worry—she would call the rest of the team and handle the necessary conversations because I was in no position to talk. She would call to check on us regularly to see how we were doing, and I’m grateful for that. Knowing I could reach out to her and she would listen—that in itself helped to alleviate my stress level. I would like to thank her for all that she has done and all that she has tried to do.” *Named changed to protect identity.
The philosophy of Ubuntu “I am who I am because of who you are” underpins TAIBU’s programming, empowering families and showing that change is possible when we move forward together. The Kaya project is building trust and providing emotional relief.
Culturally Affirming Care: What Makes the Kaya Project Unique
The Kaya Project employs the Kwanzaa principles of collective work, responsibility, creativity, and unity as a foundation for its approach. Programs rooted in African-centered values empower families through community-driven, holistic care while addressing systemic barriers like racism, stigma, and financial challenges.
Why Investing in Programs Like Kaya Matters
In Toronto, Black-identifying families often face systemic racism, long waitlists for mental health services, and limited availability of culturally responsive providers who integrate social determinants of health into their practice or a lack of providers who are culturally informed and attuned to social determinants of health. These inequities can lead to higher interactions with the child welfare system.
For families to trust the system, we must first ensure that the system sees and values them. This is where culturally responsive programs like the Kaya Project play a transformative role. Brenda Smith, Director of Services, – CAST.
The Kaya Project has helped to rebuild trust between families and the system, creating space for children to thrive. By reducing child welfare involvement and offering support tailored to families’ unique needs, the program provides hope and resilience for the future.
How You Can Support the Kaya Project
The Kaya Project is supported by Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada’s Teddy Bear Fund. You can help by contributing to the Foundation, sharing this article, and spreading awareness about the importance of culturally responsive care in child welfare.
Together, we can build stronger, more resilient communities in which every family has the support it needs to thrive.