| Aqeel Saeid holds a PhD in Sociology, and has been an educator of sociology, psychology, and social work for nine years. He has also worked as a researcher in several academic institutions and research centres, including the Hitachi Survey Research Centre at the University of Toronto (Mississauga). Aqeel is involved in community-based work through his capacity as a board member of the Policy and Advocacy Committee at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST), president of the United Nations Association of Toronto (UNACTO), problem gambling counsellor at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and active member in New Horizons: Healing and Hope Coalition for children traumatized by war and immigration. In addition to working as a counsellor in the fields of addiction, domestic violence, settlement and trauma, Aqeel is also currently pursuing an M.A. in criminology at the University of Toronto. | ||
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Eliouna Girimana is a 23-year-old woman who fled from her war-torn country of Burundi in 2006 and currently resides in Ottawa. She has a degree in Business Administration and Management and fluently speaks French, English andKirundi. Currently, she works as an agent of the Francophone Immigration Support Eastern Network for the Economic and Social Council of Ottawa Carleton, a not-for-profit organization, working for the economic, social and cultural integration of the French-speaking racial, ethnic and cultural minorities living in and around Ottawa. She also volunteers for UNICEF and Volunteer Ottawa. | |
| Gabriela Rodriguez is a student of Latin American studies at the University of Toronto and a tireless advocate for young people in the city. Raised in Toronto’s east end, Gabi came to Toronto from the Dominican Republic as a child. Since then, she has been learning about her community and how to do meaningful advocacy work. She has worked with the Toronto Youth Cabinet, and is continually doing new and varied community building work in her neighbourhood in Scarborough Village, and in many of Toronto’s diverse immigrant neighbourhoods. She hopes to continue her work empowering immigrant youth from within their communities. | ||
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Martin Zhang was born in China but immigrated to Canada when he was four. He has moved several times but eventually settled in Thunder Bay, where he now lives. He is currently attending high school and is involved with Conservatory Canada, a not-for-profit educational institution of professional musicians and volunteers. As well, he is the leader of a local youth group, the Regional Multicultural Youth Council, where he partakes in developing activities for youth. In his free time, his interests include sports, books and music. | |
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Michelle Suchiu joins the OCASI Youth Advisory Committee with close to 15 years of experience working with newcomer children, youth and their families at the YMCA of Windsor and Essex County. Michelle is an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) and is an experienced continuing education instructor in her area of specialization. She has has also been strongly supportive of leadership development for youth through her involvement with the Windsor Y’s Leadership program designed to foster leadership training, teamwork and self-government in youths between 11 and 24 years old. This commitment has extended to her coordination of the Global Youth Forum (GYF) which engaged youth in awareness raising and anti-discrimination work which they took back to their schools and communities to promote more inclusive and welcoming communities. | |
| Rohan Thompson graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) with a B.A. in Sociology. He later returned to WLU to complete his Masters of Social Work with a focus on Community Development/Engagement and played football at WLU for five years, receiving various awards for his athletic and academic achievements as well as his contribution to the community. Rohan has worked in youth services for the past nine years and is passionate about making an impact on young peoples’ lives. He has also previously worked with North York Community House where he managed the Community on the Move and Success in School program. Currently, Rohan works as a District Facilitator for the City of Kitchener. | ||
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Victoria Jmourko is currently in her fourth undergraduate year at McMaster University in Hamilton, studying Social Work and Sociology. She was born in Ternopil, Ukraine and came to Canada with her mother when she was 5. She now lives in Mississauga with her family, including a 5 year-old sister and 8 year-old brother. Victoria has volunteered at a male youth detention centre in Hamilton and continues to take an interest in working with youth. She is currently working part-time atCUIAS Immigrant Services in Etobicoke as a Youth/Outreach Worker. Victoria would love to travel and experience the different cultures of the world first-hand. She is able to speak English, Ukrainian and Russian fluently, as well as basic French. She enjoys watching movies and spending time with friends. | |
| Julia Beltrano works as the French Canadian Association of Ontario (ACFO) of London-Sarnia coordinating the Summer Jobs Service, a program that assists francophone youth seeking summer employment. She is also a member of the French Services Committee, a group that advocates for the rights of French speaking people in London. Furthermore, she facilitates workshops for the Federation of Franco-Ontarien Youth (FESFO) with whom she has given workshops in leadership, event planning, self esteem, francophone identity construction and visual arts. Julia is currently studying Fine Arts in London at the University of Western Ontario. | ||
Advisory Committee Bios
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