Decolonizing Charity with Jakey Siolo

Many of us have found ourselves asking “How can I serve and do good in the world now that I no longer participate in a church?” Before we begin to answer this question, we need to examine how white Christianity typically has adopted “charity” in a way that is more self-serving and performative than helpful. In this workshop, we will learn from Jakey Siolo about the harmful tenets of white Christian charity and how mutual aid is the solution to empowering others and breaking down systems of injustice. We will learn how to get involved in mutual aid work, and how to use activism to empower underserved communities. 

A note on tickets, please read: This event is open to adults of all genders and teens with accompanying adults. Because this event is being held at a public library, we cannot charge money for tickets. However, we strongly encourage and recommend everyone attending to donate what they can to compensate for Jakey’s emotional labor and preparation (Any money collected from the 'pay what you can' tickets will be given to Jakey). Virtual tickets are also available for anyone unable to attend in person.

About Jakey: Jakey Siolo (he/they), a queer community organizer and advocate who believes in breaking down barriers for ALL communities and works to deconstruct systems to empower themself and their communities. Jakey believes all humans have the power within to make change and lead from within for the betterment of their communities and selves. Currently Jakey works at PIK2AR, Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources as the Case Management Coordinator working with Survivors of DV/SA. Through my role at PIK2AR I have done lots of work in landlord/tenant mediation, eviction cases, food insecurity, gender affirming care and housing advocacy. Through my leadership at PIK2AR I was awarded the Advocacy in Action Award by Governor Cox and the Office for Victims of Crimes for my work with survivors. I was selected by the Asian Pacific Institute of Congressional Studies to take part in their National Leadership Academy, and graduated from that academy August 2022. As well as was selected for the 2022 Harvard University Oceanic Collections Engagement Fellowship Awardee - Asoso “Resting Collectively, Rising Collectively”. Outside of PIK2AR, Jakey also works at the YWCA Utah on their development team, working with all financial & In-Kind donors and corporate sponsors for events and to fund programs. Jakey is the Director of the Nuanua Collective, Utah’s only LGBTQ+ organization for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in Salt Lake City. Jakey is also a contracted Community Healthcare Worker at the University of Utah School of Medicine, facilitating conversations with med students about race, gender & equity. Most recently I was selected as the Board Vice Chair for the Salt Lake Central Youth Prevention Coalition serving youth from Glendale to East High School. At the end of the day, the reason I stay busy is for my community and all underserved communities. I think it is vital that every person is civically engaged and also engaged with many diverse communities. We benefit when we collaborate and that is when we will see empowerment in our communities. I want to see communities thrive, and especially the younger generations. I want to see mutual aid and radical love be at the forefront of our work, and really work to connect, respect and protect with communities.