2014 CHFT Diversity scholarship Recipients

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1 2014 CHFT Diversity scholarship Recipients Zeenat Afghan At Central Commerce Collegiate Institute, Zeenat was a member of the Concrete Roses group for over two years, organizing and promoting student events. The Leading Ladies project at the Scadding Court Community Centre, where she has been a peer leader and a peer leader trainer, works for economic empowerment for women. Zeenat also helped start an all-girls boxing program. She will study social sciences and humanities at the University of Toronto. Basma Al Nadhir Basma graduated last year from Central Commerce Collegiate Institute. She continues to take part in social justice programs there, in her community, and at university. Since age 13 she has been a grassroots organizer with the Justice 4 Alwy campaign in Regent Park, which combats racial profiling. Basma helped with many events, including a basketball tournament, to rally community members and raise awareness. This fall she will enter her second year at York University, studying social work. Daxshana Gnanakanthan Bellamy Housing Co-operative At Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute, Daxshana was co-head prefect and a leader of the snack program. She volunteers with the Youth Council of the city s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department in her neighbourhood. Among other community activities, council members regularly visit a retirement home and set up games and activities that youth and seniors can enjoy together. In the fall Daxshana will start a business management program at Ryerson University. Nuha Habay Nuha graduated from Harbord Collegiate Institute. She volunteered in an after-school program for younger children at Alexandra Park Community Centre, and as a fundraiser for UNICEF. Recently she has participated in the Teen Night Council at the YMCA on Saturday nights. She is responsible for organizing basketball in the gym, making sure

2 that women and men get equal play time. Nuha will attend Ryerson University to study politics and governance. Ayaan Ismail Bridle Manor Co-operative Ayaan is graduating from Georges Vanier Secondary School. She has served as a Vanier Ambassador and as secretary for the Student Activity Council. At the Working Women s Community Centre, she helped seniors learn to use computers. Ayaan volunteered at Baycrest Hospital last summer, assisting the nursing staff with data processing and helping senior patients at mealtimes and during social activities. She will start a bachelor of science in nursing program at Ryerson University this fall. Aida Omer New Hibret Co-operative Homes At Jarvis Collegiate Institute, Aida was a library volunteer and a member of the Empowering Students Partnership, which helped support the One Child Foundation. She worked with younger children to prepare them for the National Spelling Bee. This past year Aida has been a peer leader, organizing orientation events, tutoring sessions, and social justice campaigns. She will study social sciences at York University. Lashika Shanthalingam Tamil Co-operative Homes Lashika is graduating from Central Technical School, where she was team manager of the girls volleyball team. At her previous high school she participated in the South Asian Fashion Show. She also learned and performed cultural dances for two of her co-op s New Year s parties. Lashika has volunteered as a teacher s assistant at a school for children with developmental disabilities. She will study criminology at Ryerson University. Dexter Johnston Scholarship Recipients Jeremy Hughes Windward Co-operative Homes Jeremy is graduating from Bloor Collegiate Institute, where he excelled in maths and sciences and took part in activities to help younger students and to raise awareness of social issues. He received a leadership award in 2011 from the DAREarts Foundation for Children. As a youth leader and breakdancer, he has worked with others to organize

3 events at schools across the GTA, promoting positive expression through dance. Jeremy will attend University of Guelph to study marine biology. Usman Kazi Charles Darrow Housing Co-operative Usman is graduating from Aurora High School. He was an office volunteer at Community Home Assistance to Seniors for over two years, performing administrative tasks. At the Aurora Public Library, he helped maintain the collection and prepare craft programs for children. He did cleaning and maintenance at the Islamic Society of York Region. Usman will study electrical engineering at the Ryerson University. Ibrahim Mohamed Harry Sherman Crowe Housing Co-operative Ibrahim graduated from C.W. Jeffreys Collegiate Institute. He was in the leadership program there and mentored a grade 3 student through Big Brothers Big Sisters. He volunteered at the Somali Women s and Children s Support Network, organizing summer activities for youth, helping with administration, and setting up after-school programs. Ibrahim is going into his second year at York University, studying social science. Melissa Stephenson Campden Green Co-operative Homes Melissa is graduating from Lester B. Pearson Collegiate Institute. She has been a student leader in Glee Club. She volunteers with the Philadelphia Patriots Pathfinder Club, a youth program that provides children s activities and supports the community through visits to group homes, serving homeless people, and planting trees in parks. She has also participated in the YMCA s Youth Leader Corps. Melissa will study journalism at University of Toronto. Penny Bethke Scholarship Recipients Shanice Howard Black Creek Co-operative Homes Shanice was a mentor in the YOUCAN Mentoring Program at John Polanyi Collegiate Institute. She spent an hour each week throughout her junior year with her mentee, a student from a local elementary school, providing leadership and modelling positive behaviour. This past year Shanice participated in her school s student ambassadors

4 program, helping out with student events. She will study Bachelor of Arts (Honours) program at Queen s University. Yun Hong Lee Hospital Workers Housing Co-operative While in high school at Yorkdale Secondary School, Yun Hong took part in the Out of the Cold Program at a synagogue, helping with clothing distribution, meal service, and set-up of beds. With the youth group from her church, she helped to build a house in a Mexican town. She also volunteered as a sidewalker with the Community Association for Riding for the Disabled. Yun Hong is entering the second year of the fashion management program at George Brown College. Muna Osman Muna obtained her bachelor s degree in nutrition and food from Ryerson University and is entering the second year of a master s program in public health at the University of Toronto. She was a diabetes prevention volunteer at Anishnawbe Health Toronto, helping to run cooking groups. At Kensington Hospice, she prepared breakfast for residents with specialized needs. Muna volunteers at Ryerson as a research assistant. Frija Rocci-Roesslein DACHI (Don Area Co-operative Homes Inc.) Frija graduated from Jarvis Collegiate Institute, where she belonged to the Eco Team and the Queer-Straight Alliance. As a senior library volunteer, she advocated for adding a Queer Reading section to the library and helped select the titles. At her co-op, she helps maintain the grounds, and she has participated for many years in social events at an agency supporting HIV-positive people with mental health and addiction issues. Frija is entering her second year at the University of Toronto, in East Asian studies. Randy Padmore Scholarship Recipients Fahad Bin Hoque Local 75 (Hospitality Workers) Housing Co-operative At Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute, Fahad was communications coordinator of the Eastern Ambassadors, responsible for keeping everyone informed of student-led events and activities. He has served as treasurer and a fundraiser at his mosque, collecting donations during Ramadan. Fahad volunteered at the University of Toronto,

5 helping with orientation events. He will study business technology management at Ryerson University. John Chen At Northern Secondary School, John tutors grade 9 students in French, math, and science. As co-president of the Chess Club, he organized a school tournament, and he plays on the Northern team in a Toronto-wide league. John served on the Junior Board of the Canadian Youth Project, overseeing administration and logistics. He will start this fall at the University of Toronto, studying engineering science. Alisha Tabilin Peregrine Co-operative Homes Alisha graduated from St. Joseph s College School. As a member of the school s Social Justice League, she volunteered for meal programs at St. Thomas s Church, St. Francis Table, and St. Stephen-in-the-Fields Church. She helped with food preparation, serving meals, and cleanup, and socialized with the guests. At her co-op, she is an On Call volunteer. Alisha is entering her second year at the University of Toronto, studying psychology and film. Success Becomes You Scholarship Recipients Brandon Arkinson Neill-Wycik Co-operative College In 2010 Brandon founded Hands of Heroes, a group that provides safe transport to get rural children to school in Nicaragua. He is still its president and executive director, but he has taken on other volunteer roles as well. At his co-op, he is a director and has served on several committees. While pursuing a degree in disability studies at Ryerson University, he has co-founded a chapter of the Canadian Red Cross at the school. It will be active in international emergencies, community services, and campus programs. Sushma Bahal Alexandra Park Co-operative Sushma has been president of Alexandra Park for more than four years, and a member of several other committees. Recently she has focused on steering the co-op through negotiations with the City of Toronto to preserve housing subsidy, and on getting more young people involved in volunteer activities. Sushma completed a bachelor s degree in

6 political science and environmental and health sciences at York University in 2006, and she began a master s degree in social work at the University of Windsor this winter. Desiree Kaunda-Wint Niagara Neighbourhood Housing Co-operative Desiree has been volunteering with the John Howard Society. As a mediator, she coordinates restorative justice conferences with youth who have committed offences on school property. As a group facilitator, she leads a group of at-risk girls in discussing the issues they face. While attending the City Adult Learning Centre, she did writing, editing, and layout on the school newspaper. She will enter third year at the University of Toronto this fall, majoring in political science and criminology. Emile Wickham Ramer s Wood Co-operative Homes Emile is active in many roles at York University, where is pursuing a bachelor s degree in sociology. For the past two years he has served on the Board of Governors, and he co-chairs the Peer Review Board. He was president of the Trinidad and Tobago Students Association for a year, working with other student groups to produce events focused on cultural identity and diversity. Emile has also coordinated other student volunteers at the Toronto Human Rights Watch Film Festival. Heather Yager Bain Apartments Co-operative At her co-op, Heather belongs to several committees and has taken many leadership roles. She has been board president, and she co-chairs the Membership Committee and coordinates interviews. She also serves on the board of the East Toronto Community Legal Service and volunteers with the AIDS Committee of Toronto. Heather is completing her bachelor s degree and will begin a master s of social work program this fall at the University of Toronto.

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