Creating safe, inclusive communities takes intentional design, collaboration, and action between our staff and partners. That’s why, last month, Halton Region partnered with the Halton Equity Diversity Roundtable (HEDR) to host the Inclusive Design Symposium: Blueprint for Belonging, a comprehensive training program focused on training local leaders and organizations on how to embed equity, inclusion, and belonging into the design of community initiatives.
The symposium brought together Building Safer Communities Action Table members, a group responsible for implementing Halton’s $3.9M federal grant from the Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF)—a four-year initiative dedicated to developing prevention and intervention strategies to address gun and gang violence.
Why Inclusive Design Matters in Community Safety
Halton’s Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan is built on the principle that safety isn’t just about enforcement—it’s about prevention, community collaboration, and designing services that meet the needs of all residents.
Through 15 action tables, the plan fosters cross-sector partnerships that tackle social challenges like intimate partner violence, mental health, and much more.
The Building Safer Communities Action Table is one of these key groups, working to:
- Develop evidence-based strategies to prevent crime and violence.
- Support local service providers in creating accessible and inclusive programs.
- Use data-driven approaches to inform funding decisions and future programming.
By investing in training and capacity-building, the Inclusive Design Symposium provided a platform for community leaders to discuss barriers in their organizations, share best practices, and brainstorm inclusive solutions to better serve Halton residents.
Staff and partners involved in the Building Safer Communities initiative come together for capacity building and discussion.
Building a Safer, More Inclusive Halton
At Halton Region, we believe that true community safety comes from ensuring that every resident feels valued, heard, and supported. That’s why we continue to lead initiatives, which help local leaders build safer, stronger, and more inclusive communities for everyone.
A huge thank you to the Halton Equity Diversity Roundtable (HEDR), our partners, and attendees for their dedication to making Halton a place everyone belongs!
Group picture of staff and community partners involved in Building Safer Communities initiative.