$495,000
pledge will help advance Rainbow Railroad's mission of providing
necessary funds for direct assistance to LGBTQI+ people in need
globally
TORONTO, Oct. 27,
2022 /CNW/ - Scotiabank and Rainbow Railroad, an
international LGBTQI+ rights organization based in Toronto and New
York, are thrilled to announce a three-year partnership to
help provide direct assistance to LGBTQI+ people in need globally.
The $495,000 investment will also
support Rainbow Railroad as it develops partnerships with
like-minded organizations both at home and internationally -
including in the countries where Scotiabank operates.
Scotiabank's financial support will be directed towards
settlement support and strengthening the ecosystem of partner
organizations around the world that defend the human rights of
LGBTQI+ people. Individuals supported through this program will
receive direct support in countries of origin where they're
experiencing persecution, as well as post-evacuation support in
Canada, the UK and the United States.
Currently, there are approximately 70 countries that have laws
criminalizing same-sex activities and in many others, LGBTQI+
people face persecution on the basis of their identities. Often
their only option is to flee.
At a time when there are more displaced people than ever before,
LGBTQI+ people are uniquely vulnerable due to systemic,
state-enabled homophobia and transphobia. These factors either
displace them in their own country, or prevent them from escaping
harm. The demand for support has significantly increased and has
outpaced society's ability to meet. In 2021, 8,506 individuals
reached out the Rainbow Railroad for help – 100% more than in 2020.
This year, Rainbow Railroad is expecting to receive 10,000+
requests for assistance. These needs are urgent and emergent, and
investment could mean the difference between life or death.
"We are proud to support Rainbow Railroad as they help LGBTQI+
individuals facing persecution around the globe safely relocate and
resettle," said Meigan Terry, SVP
and Chief Sustainability, Social Impact and Communications Officer.
"Through ScotiaRISE, we are investing in programs and organizations
that assist newcomer settlement and break down barriers facing
disadvantaged groups, while doing our part to create a more
inclusive world."
Scotiabank's community partnership with Rainbow Railroad is
enabled by ScotiaRISE, the Bank's 10-year $500
million initiative to promote economic resilience among
disadvantaged groups. ScotiaRISE is fostering sustainable change by
partnering with programs and organizations across its footprint
that provide the tools people need to improve their education and
employment prospects, adapt to changing circumstances, and increase
the likelihood of financial success. ScotiaRISE has supported
nearly 200 charities, deployed $26 million in community
investments globally in its first year, and continues to invest in
community initiatives that are making a difference.
"We are incredibly grateful for, and inspired by, Scotiabank's
commitment to LGBTQI+ communities around the world," said Kimahli
Powell, Rainbow Railroad's Executive Director. "Thanks to the
funding from the Scotiabank, we will be able to support more people
in finding the freedom to live openly and without fear, while also
providing the support needed within their communities."
"Our partnership with Scotiabank will help our program officers
respond to the increasing volume of requests that we receive and
will ensure that we provide support to a record number of
individuals," explained Powell. "We are excited by the prospect of
a long and impactful partnership with Scotiabank that will help us
to help more people find safety."
Scotiabank has supported Rainbow Railroad's work since 2019 and
the financial institution's multi-year commitment builds on their
$125,000 leadership gift in 2021.
About Rainbow Railroad
Rainbow Railroad is an
international charitable organization with headquarters in
New York and Toronto that helps LGBTQI+ people seeking safe
haven from state-enabled violence and persecution in countries
where same-sex intimacy and diverse gender expressions and sex
characteristics are criminalized. Rainbow Railroad is a registered
Canadian charity and 501(c)3 organization in the USA.
About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our
purpose: "for every future", we help our customers, their families
and their communities achieve success through a broad range of
advice, products and services, including personal and commercial
banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and
investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of over 90,000
employees and assets of approximately $1.3 trillion (as
at July 31, 2022), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock
Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For
more information, please
visit http://www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter
@Scotiabank.
SOURCE Scotiabank