Our Roots

ARC Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC, with team members working remotely around the country. Established in 2007, ARC Foundation is dedicated to expanding the capacity of K-12 educators to create Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI)-inclusive schools for all students.

Through SOGI 123, ARC Foundation helps educators make schools safer, more welcoming, respectful, and inclusive for 2SLGBTQ+ students and families. We do this by equipping educators and school staff with the necessary knowledge, skills, and peer-to-peer relationships to increase capacity in developing and implementing policy, building inclusive school environments, and co-creating high-quality teaching resources. ARC Foundation is committed to a long-lasting and far-reaching approach to SOGI-inclusive education.

SOGI 123 was developed in 2016 by ARC Foundation in collaboration with the BC Ministry of Education; BC Teachers’ Federation; school districts across BC; UBC Faculty of Education; education partners; as well as 2SLGBTQ+ community organizations. At ARC Foundation, we believe in collaborating with partners in the education system and community, and that change will happen if we work together.

Our Partners

Educators

Our efforts would amount to little without the countless educators who laid the foundation for this work, those who now contribute to the SOGI Educator Network, and those who have taken it upon themselves to change, innovate, and lead within their schools, districts, and divisions. These educators are principals, vice-principals, teachers, librarians, and more. Many are from educational associations and organizations who have been doing this work for a long time and who we are now privileged to have as partners in SOGI 123. We believe strongly that success is built in collaboration with educators and education organizations.

Community Collaborators

The work of SOGI-inclusive education isn’t that of one individual or group. It is delivered through the SOGI education community, which includes a wide range of community organizations that we have the privilege to collaborate with. It is through these collaborations that we can connect educators with the resources they need, across the regions we support. We are grateful to organizations around the country, working to create safer and more inclusive school and community spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ students and families.

Supporters

Many people have supported this work in so many ways. Thank you to the volunteers who have offered their time and talents to this effort. Many education partners and community organizations are working in support of SOGI 123, and we are grateful for their leadership. Thank you as well to those who have financially supported SOGI 123, including many individual donors, community foundations, provincial and federal levels of government, as well as corporations. If you are interested in supporting our work, please visit our website to learn how to donate.