ARC Foundation

ARC Foundation expands the capacity of K-12 educators to create Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI)-inclusive schools for all students. Through our SOGI 1 2 3 framework, ARC helps educators make schools safer, more welcoming, respectful, and inclusive for 2SLGBTQI+ students by equipping educators, school staff and community partners with the knowledge, skills, and peer-to-peer relationships to: develop and implement policy and procedures (SOGI 1); foster inclusive school environments (SOGI 2); and create high-quality teaching and peer-to-peer resources (SOGI 3).

SOGI 1 2 3 has been successfully operating in BC since 2016 and Alberta since 2017, and we are piloting in new regions across the country this school year, including Yukon Territory and Atlantic Canada. The program is customized by province, accelerating change in 3 ways:

1. Help build provincial alignment between institutions and associations so that more effective, sustainable, accelerated change can take place.

2. Facilitate provincial SOGI Educator Networks where educators learn from each other and lead change together. Over 2,500 educators across BC and AB act as volunteer SOGI School Leads, bringing benefits of collaboration back to their colleagues.

3. Co-create SOGI-inclusive education resources with educators, for educators, that are ready to use, easy to access, and customizable.

SOGI 1 2 3 is unique in Canada – our ‘distributed collaborative network’ model creates a multiplier effect, vastly increasing educators’ capacity to serve 2SLGBTQI+ students -- and demand across Canada is growing. Our online resources have been downloaded by educators in every province and territory.

For youth who don’t experience a sense of belonging at home, a teacher could be the one supportive adult who helps them feel welcome and free to be their authentic self. As one SOGI-inclusive educator recently shared with us: “SOGI 1 2 3 is a human rights lens applied to all areas of curriculum. It answers the question, “how can I be me if I can’t see me?” SOGI [1 2 3] saves lives by insisting on inclusion of some of our most marginalized youth and staff in our district.”

Research shows that when students feel connected to their school, they have a higher chance of graduating, are less likely to experience substance abuse or suicidal ideation/attempts, and experience better mental health into adulthood. ARC Foundation is committed to a long-lasting and far-reaching approach to changing the experience of 2SLGBTQI+ students.