Community Development Halton Blog

“…come in and see the joy in the schools where through nutrition community is built”   By Aliya Khawari I’m the lead of a mighty team of five. Being a mother and being somebody who comes from a very persecuted background—people who look like me get killed in my native country for being a minority in every sense of the word—I don’t take the privilege of this work for granted. That’s what makes this organization so important to me. What I love most about our work is that we don

How local volunteers are connecting newcomers and long-time residents through learning, nature, and shared community pride.     By Kai Liu     I’m an immigrant, but I’ve been living in Canada for over 25 years. Although Oakville is a mature community, it continues to attract more newcomers and individuals relocating to one of the most livable cities in Canada.  We want to connect people, share information, and help one another. That’s the purpose of our organization.  We are

Building belonging, cultural exchange, and unity through arts, education, and community celebration.   By Jean Assamoa   “Akwaba” means welcome. When you go to the African coast, people say Akwaba — very welcome. It tells you; we accept your visit, we accept that you come to our country, our place . For me, Akwaba is more than a project. It is a commitment to fostering positive change and community building.  When I came to Canada on July 15, 2008, my main idea was to get in

From the very step we made into the Congress hall, Isabelle and I realized how much care the organizing team put in all their preparations ! For us to see the signs with the invite to the 100 Seeds of Joy meditation (and with our logo) being placed in the center (literally :-)), of every table all around us, made our hearts expand with Joy! Later on we realized that also on all tables was placed our “The Power Lies within You” flyer with the free meditation classes offered

Creating connections across cultures so everyone feels seen, valued, and at home in Halton.   Jean Assamoa, Founder and Director, Akwaba Cultural Exchange By Jean Assamoa   I am the Founder and Director of Akwaba Cultural Exchange, and this organization represents both my personal journey and my life’s purpose. When I arrived in Canada from Côte d’Ivoire, I carried with me a deep desire to build bridges between cultures and to help others find the same sense of belonging that

Creating a community where everyone, regardless of mental health or past challenges, has the opportunity to contribute, belong, and succeed. By Anita Lloyd picture of Anita Lloyd As the Executive Director of Stride, my connection to the organization runs deep. I’m continually inspired by the courage of the individuals we serve and the dedication of our team who help people overcome barriers to employment while managing mental health and addiction challenges. Stride’s mission