March 28, 2024
 
The April 2024 Diversity Calendar is attached. Please print it to share with the staff and people supported, post it in a communal area, and keep it handy to refer to on your own.
 
It isn’t just a calendar: it’s a conversation starter! Use our Diversity Calendar to talk about important topics that can make a difference in our communities. Leveraging opportunities for dialogue fosters a greater sense of belonging among our teams and the people who use services.
 
We hope you enjoy this month’s highlights, which are full of interesting events that you may not even know exist. Take some time to look at the calendar and choose some new events to learn about things that matter to the world. Which event are you most looking forward to celebrating? Look for our Diversity Calendar every month in 2024.
 
It is our goal to create a comprehensive and accurate multicultural calendar that encompasses and represents the diversity of Karis. However, there may be some cultural and religious celebrations that are missing from this calendar. This is not an exhaustive list of observances. If you notice something that should be added or updated in this calendar, please reach out to us at diversity@karis.org.
 

Download the April Diversity Calendar

In April, we celebrate and remember:

  • Autism Awareness Month: An annual opportunity for a dedicated conversation about autism spectrum disorder. Autism touches more than 70 million people globally. Approximately 1 in 50 children and youth are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Canada and this number continues to grow. This year, the commitment is to acting fearlessly for change.
  • Sikh Heritage Month: A celebration of Sikh art, culture and heritage. It is a powerful platform for dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect. Embracing the opportunity to build bridges, to learn from each other, and to strengthen the bonds that unite us as a community.
  • Celebrate Diversity Month: Initiated in 2004 to recognize and honour the diversity of the world around us. It is a time to recognize and understand our differences, be it gender, race, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation, and other factors, while honouring the common essence of humanity. By appreciating our similarities and differences, the month aims to get people to foster a deeper understanding of others, regardless of who they are, what they are, or how they live.
  • World Autism Awareness Day on April 2: Unanimously declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society. Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race, or socio-economic status. Autism is mainly characterized by its unique social interactions, non-standard ways of learning, keen interests in specific subjects, inclination to routines, challenges in typical communications, and particular ways of processing sensory information. The rate of autism in all regions of the world is high and the lack of understanding has a tremendous impact on the individuals, their families, and communities.
  • Eid al-Fitr on April 9: A Muslim celebration to mark the end of Ramadan, the holy month of dawn to sunset fasting. This day is celebrated with feasts, gifts, and prayers in honour of God. Begins at previous sundown. (Islam)
  • International Day of Pink on April 10: This worldwide awareness day hopes to educate the general public on the harmful effects of discrimination, bullying, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, and transmisogyny across the world. Wear pink to show solidarity with the commitment to promote a safe and inclusive world for all.
  • Vaisakhi on April 13: A major Sikh festival to mark the first day of the month of Vaisakh and is traditionally seen as a spring harvest celebration primarily in Punjab and Northern India.
  • Puthandu (Tamil New Year) on April 14: Celebrated in many, though mainly Buddhist and Hindu, households as the sun moves from Pisces to Aries marking the end of the harvest season. From a list of customs to deliciously mouthwatering sweetmeats and fun activities, this time of the year offers all Sri Lankans a chance to offer gratitude and celebrate as one family.
  • Canadian Fertility Awareness Week -April 21 to 27: The 2024 theme “One Voice,” resonates with the collective strength and unity of individuals and communities coming together to advocate for fertility awareness and support, and to foster a sense of solidarity and empowerment among the 1 in 6 impacted by fertility challenges. The theme emphasizes the power of standing united as one voice, raising awareness, breaking stigmas, and promoting education surrounding fertility issues and reproductive health.
  • Passover begins on April 22: A significant Jewish holiday. This eight-day festival commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Families gather to share Seder meals, read from the Haggadah, and reflect on themes of freedom and redemption. Passover is not just a historical commemoration but also a time for contemporary reflection on issues of freedom, justice, and human dignity.
  • Earth Day on April 22: Let’s celebrate Mother Earth. Promote protecting the environment and advocate for sustainable living. This day serves as an important reminder of conservation, recycling, and action to protect the climate and our natural resources.
  • National Day of Mourning on April 28: Dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives, suffered injury or illness on the job or a work-related tragedy.

The best thing about Karis Disability Services is the people – both those who use services and those who provide services. Each person brings their own unique perspective, history, culture, faith, and identity; and there is so much beauty in that diversity!

Catalina Hernandez, on behalf of Karis Disability Services Diversity and Inclusion Working Group