CCVT Mandate and Locations..2. Message from the Chair of the Board and Executive Director. 6. Program Manager Report...7

Transcription

1 THE CANADIAN CENTER FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE ANNUAL REPORT

2 Page 2 TABLE CONTENTS CCVT Mandate and Locations..2 Message from the Chair of the Board and Executive Director. 6 Program Manager Report...7 Community Engagement Program Report...10 Language and Skills Development and Training Program Report. 15 Committee Reports: Legal Committee Health Committee..19 Public Education Committee...20 International Committee...23 Children and Youth Programs Report...25 Mental Health Program Report.31 Toronto South Local Immigration Partnership port 34 Board of Directors Award Recipients 39 CCVT Staff. 41 Student Interns...43 Financial Report CCVT Survivors in Numbers...46 Client Statistics Collaborating Organizations...49 Individual Donors...51 CCVT Volunteers.53 CCVT Supporters 55 Source of funds: Government & Foundations..56 CCVT Programs and Services. 57 Appendix A...58

3 Page 3 CCVT S MANDATE The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) aids survivors to overcome the lasting effects of torture and war. In partnership with the community, the Centre supports survivors in the process of successful integration into Canadian society, works for their protection and integrity, and raises awareness of the continuing effects of torture and war on survivors and their families. Triumph Over Torture If you are interested in making a donation, arranging a bequest or becoming a monthly donor to support the work of CCVT please contact us or go to CANADIAN CENTRE FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE Main Office 194 Jarvis Street, 2nd Floor Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2B7 Tel: Fax: Website: mabai@ccvt.org Scarborough Office 2401 Eglinton Ave. East, 3rd Floor, Unit 310 Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M1K 5G8 Tel: Fax: The Hub 1527 Victoria Park Avenue Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1L 2T3 Tel: Fax: CCVT at Pan Am 20 Palace Street Itinerant Services We welcome the World Centers (Peel District School Board) Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5A 1G4 100 Elm Drive West Mississauga, ON, L5B 1L9

4 Page 4 SPECIALIZED SERVICES AT CCVT Settlement Services Information/Orientation Language Instruction & Skills Training Senior/Women Programs Employment Support Interpretation/Translation Computer Training (Basic/Intermediate) Mental Health Counseling Individual and Group Therapy Crisis Intervention Coordinated Professional Services Children/Youth Program Group Activities and Peer Support Mentoring and Leadership Development After School Programs Recreational & Empowerment Activities Counseling Conflict Resolution Community Engagement Befriending Escorting, Interpreting and Translation ESL Tutoring Administrative Support Conversation Circles and Social Events Fundraising Public Education Information Dissemination Consultations on torture and its effects Publications & Research Educational Seminars and Presentations International Projects CCVT is associated with a coalition of Centres which support victims of violence, repression and torture, in exile or in their own countries.

5 Page 5 Satellite Services 1. A partnership with Fred Victor at 20 Palace place with The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture supports newcomer families who have experienced trauma in their country of origin. 2. The We Welcome the World Peel District School Board partnership with The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture offers settlement and counselling services to newcomer children and youth. 3. The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture is one of the three consortium member agencies of the Toronto South Local Immigration Partnership - a community partnership focused on developing and implementing local settlement strategies that coordinate and enhance service delivery to newcomers while promoting innovation and efficient use of resources.

6 Page 6 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Our vision of a world without torture remains clear was not a particularly encouraging year. The conflict in Syria and neighboring countries - one of history s worst humanitarian crisis - continues to kill, maim, and demoralize civilians, separate families and deprive children of their right to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment. Whole cities are destroyed, and the basic needs people in need of protection are ignored by a passive international community. Mulugeta Abai Executive Director, CCVT Despite the worsening situation globally, 2016 was a year of renewed momentum for CCVT. With the guidance of the board, dedication and professionalism of the staff, health network members and broadened volunteer base and continued support of our donors and funders, CCVT was able to provide rehabilitation services to 2,115 survivors of torture from 95 countries. We now operate in three permanent and two itinerant locations in partnership with the Peel District School Board and Fred Victor Centre. Dr Fanta Ongoiba Chair of the Board to meet the needs and rights of survivors. CCVT was also actively engaged in organizing workshops and training sessions to community agencies, private sponsors, faith groups, etc. in advance preparation for the arrival of Syrian refugees. As an organization that works with victims of torture, war, genocide and crimes against humanity we are regularly called upon to share our expertise and provide support and consultation to all organizations that work with refugees. This has enabled us to learn and share best practices and also to reach highly vulnerable populations through community based approach while strengthening and building our capacity and others To further consolidate our knowledge and assist survivors we partnered with George Brown College and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. This research project aims to establish an innovative outreach methodology for those marginalized in society, with particular focus on social inclusion for survivors of torture and war. This partnership is unique in that it brought together a socially inclusive post-secondary institution, a world leading research organization and CCVT, a vital community organization. The first phase of the research has been completed and we have embarked into the second phase that involved 21 survivors interested in pursuing post-secondary education. Our mental health services developed in partnership with Women s Health in Women Hands, the Sherbourne Health Clinic and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health provide vital services including treatment and documentation. These services are supported by the Inner City Health Associates and members of CCVT Health Network which includes psychiatrists, psychologists, and family physicians. Our certificate program on trauma informed care is running for a fourth year and currently there are 21 registered participants. The following report is a synopsis of the activities and accomplishments of CCVT for the year ended March 31/2016. We are proud of our accomplishments and this significant effort would not have been possible without the guidance of the board, dedication of the staff and volunteers and support from all our donors to whom we are very grateful.

7 Page 7 REPORT FROM THE PROGRAM MANAGER 2016 It has been a busy and productive year: CCVT has completed the first year of its fiveyear strategic plan. Our day-to-day activities have led to numerous achievements: The number of clients served has doubled this year reaching 2115 clients coming from 97 countries. The increase, among others, has been due the initial arrival of some Syrian and Iraqi refugees during the last quarter of the fiscal year. Teresa Dremetsikas Program Manager Services this year have been provided at full capacity and enhanced to adequatly meet the arising needs of a new wave of refugees. We have been busy providing public education to refugee sponsors, volunteers and the communty at large. The Public Education Program of CCVT was coordinated by the main office and a total of 46 such sessions were recorded this fiscal year and half of them were in the last trimester of the year. The increase in the numbers of requests for public education was mainly related to the arrival of the Syrian refugees. A few examples of sites where the sessions took place and or where the requests originated from include: Community Inclusivity Equity Council, York Region Foreign Affairs Office Scarborough General Hospital North York Civic Centre Centre for Ethics, University of Toronto Arab Community Centre U of T Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work Vari Hall, York University Canadian Council For Refugee ORAT : Office for Refugees Archdiocese of Toronto Room 122 McLaughlin College, York University West, Metro Hall, Ground; for city workers Welcome Centre Immigrant Services Markham North Middle Eastern Civilization: Cultural Exchange and support initiative (NMC-CESI) Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) CAMH Services and programs have been taylored to address different trends at the different CCVT locations: At the Hub and Scarborough branches, we have new staff providing services to the increasing number of Arabic speaking refugees. New programs for Syrian youth were added during the summer months, while the core programs have remained with substantial additions to the numbers of participants and variety of activities within each program.

8 Page 8 Family Picnic 2016 SETTLEMENT SERVICES provided by CCVT include individual needs assessments and plans. Information and referrals boths are also part of our settlement activities. Both individual and group settlement activities substantially increased. In addition, 46 families were able to have permanent Housing through a formal partnership with Fred Victor involving the re-allocation of the former Panam Games athlets residence facilities to homeless people project. Examples of the topics of the 65 information sessions (44 in our downtown office, 16 at our Scarborough branch and 5 at the Hub.) delivered this year included among many more: Youth Leadership Development (COPA) Youth empowerment; resisting stereotypes Express Entry Visa Sexual health and positive relations I & II Somali Support group CCVT Services Self-Employment to create your own home business Breast and colorectal cancer prevention/screening The Road to employment for Women L Integration au Canada The Importance of Volunteering in Toronto Financial Literacy for newcomers Domestic Violence and Canadian Laws How to enroll your child in School? Tenants Rights and Landlord Issues Le Systeme d Education Francophone en Ontario Sexually Healthy Children Family Reunification Your Child Education in Canada Domestic Violence and Date Rape Aide all Enfance Catholique au Toronto Stress Reduction and Community Resources

9 Page 9 MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM activities, particularly the support groups had a higher number of newly arrived Syrian Refugees and from other Arabic speaking countries. The number of crisis interventions related to our client s trauma and mental health, family separation, financial constraints, lack of appropriate housing and jobs was also elevated. As part of the Self-Care and team Building activities CCVT also organized a retreat for the staff. Staff also received formal training on Narrative Exposure Therapy from Dr. Clare Paine who is a CCVT Health committee member and also head of the Trauma Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital. COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM had a substantial increase of number of matches of volunteers with clients as mentors and friends and for specific tasks such as escorting and interpretation. A good highlight is the introduction of a new mentoring program for Youth that is very successful. We have also organized several successful community engagement events the First Light Celebration and Awards Ceremony, Annual Picnic, AGM, Volunteer Recognition Day, Family Day, June 26 International Day in Support of Survivors, and Refugee Rights Day. LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION AND SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM has also seen an increase in the number of clients attending English and computer classes; a new class was added to both the downtown and Scarborough office. Regular conversation circles were also added at the three CCVT locations: Downtown, The Hub and Scarborough; citizenship classes are also organized by volunteers at the downtown and Scarborough offices. CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAM: afterschool program, peer support, and information sessions had an addition of specifically designed activities for children during the March break and the school summer break time to ensure the participation of more clients PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CCVT has also been involved in research partnerships with Mount Sinai, CAMH, and Women s Health in Women Hands. In addition, new partnerships were formed with OCASI and Thorncliffe Neighborhood offices to deliver training on trauma-informed care within Toronto and many cities in Ontario. CCVT has also formed a partnership with George Brown and CAMH to document the barriers of newcomers wishing to pursue postsecondary education. To this end, a draft curriculum has been prepared to provide refugees with skills to overcome such barriers. In addition, CCVT has been steadily providing the certificate course on Trauma which consists of 9 sessions throughout the year. We have been running the certificate program with the support of our health network members. Participants of June 20th World Refugee walk

10 Page 10 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM REPORT Mbalu Lumor, Manager Community Engagement April 2015-March 2016 proved to be another successful year in the Community Engagement program. Volunteers continued to be vital to the CCVT community engagement program in their support to survivors of torture and war. In total the center has 394 active volunteers. The center had a high number of new volunteers recruiting and training a total of 122. Over 90% of participants rated the training as Excellent. In line with our 5-year strategic plan other highlights of the year included the re-vamping of our website, and creating a social marketing committee to help increase our online profile and connection to the community. Juliette Ntege Youth counselor and Volunteer Coordinator The volunteer program understands that the issue of torture is a social one and focuses on a community approach to support CCVT programs and services. Volunteers who are members of the community are involved in all CCVT programs to assist survivors in making the transition from victimhood to becoming active community members in their new-found home. They foster a range of competencies among our survivors for dealing with everyday situations; orienting survivors to their surroundings to connecting them to institutional and community resources. Volunteers continued to be recruited to support activities such as interpretation, escorting clients to legal and medical appointments, assisting at social events, providing support to our office administration, at our income tax clinics as well as in the children and youth afterschool program and other recreational activities. While the Community Engagement program continued with its normal activities it was also faced with emerging needs that were great opportunities for learning and innovation. In particular, as the world experienced the highest number of displaced persons (UNHCR 2015) and faced an unpresented number of refugees arriving from the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, Canadians and our government reached out to fulfill our duty to protect people fleeing from persecution and war. We saw our new government bring in over 25,000 Syrian refugees and the people of Canada wanting to help through sponsorship, donations and volunteerism. This momentum of Welcoming community was felt at CCVT as we received over 250 volunteer applications within a period of 3months. Never in the history of CCVT had we seen such a high volume of volunteer applications. While individuals within the community reached out to give of their time and skills via CCVT, others organized in groups to sponsor and support newly arriving Syrian families (teachers, settlement workers, post-secondary student groups, hospitals, nurses and religious groups) and in preparation requested our Sensitivity and Trauma Informed Care workshops. The demands were high. To extend our reach, CCVT used webinars and video links and conducted both local and external workshops on various topics to service providers. Throughout the year, the community engagement program organized the following workshops and events: Understanding Trauma and the Role of Community in the Rehabilitation Process of Survivors of Torture and War, Interpretation, Panel Discussion on Human Rights & Current Global Crisis and Befriending Training, with a total of 130 in attendance. The purpose of these workshops is to raise awareness, and engage and enhance community capacity on how to support survivors of torture and war.

11 Page 11 Workshop: Understanding Trauma and the role of community by Dr. Clare Payne SYRIAN REFUGEE WORKSHOPS To meet the high demand of workshop requests the community engagement manager and counselors conducted 46 workshops, some of which include Working with Youth Survivors of Torture, Working With Women Affected by War, Torture, and Crimes Against Humanity; Trauma, Torture, and Community Response. Some of these workshops were specifically created to support religious groups working with newly arrived Syrians such as ISNA (Islamic Society of North America, Islamic Institute of Toronto and student groups such as Near & Middle-Cultural Exchange and support initiative (NMC-CESI) at the University of Toronto. A total of 117 attended. The purpose of these workshops was to raise awareness, engage and enhance community capacity on how to support survivors of torture and war specifically focusing on Syrian refugees. Over 90% of participants rated the training as Excellent. TAX CLINIC In partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency and as a member of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program we conducted another year of Tax clinic. 26 volunteers were trained to file survivors income tax. Volunteers contributed a total of 227 hours preparing free income tax return for 77 clients throughout the months of April 2015 to March 2016.

12 Page 12 COMMUNITY EVENTS World Refugee Day, International Day in support of victims of torture, Annual general meeting and the First Light Celebration and Awards Ceremony were among other community events that CCVT hosted this year. Clockwise from the top: Mulugeta Abai and daughters, Mara and Monica, celebrating 25 years at CCVT, Special Guests: Susan Ormiston, CBC Senior Correspondent and Master of Ceremonies, and Tony Burman, Keynote Speaker - all at the CCVT First Light Celebration, 2015

13 Page 13 National Volunteer Appreciation Day VARIOUS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND HOW VOLUNTEERS HELPED: MENTORSHIP PROGRAM The mentorship program is one of the oldest programs at the center and also known as a bridge to the host community that opens the door to forge new friendships while creating a link to humanity that was lost as a result of torture. This is a two-way process, as the friendship that develops between the survivor and the befriender provides an effective avenue of cultural exchange: the survivor learns about his/her new environment while the befriender is exposed to different cultures and traditions. In particular, in the fiscal year April adult Survivors were matched with volunteers with 29 youth matched as well, who all contributed over 1,019 hours. LANGUAGE TUTORS English Language and one to one tutoring assistance has allowed 243 volunteers to put in over 4, 688 hours of service at CCVT this year providing invaluable language assistance to the clients in need. Volunteers provided support through small group discussions and computer learning. One to one learning was also high in demand as many survivors needed additional support to review classroom materials and school assignment outside of the center. INTERPRETATION Interpretation like previous years continued to be high in demand with 70% of the requests in Arabic due to the newly arrived Syrians. 95 requests from clients and a high of 172hours contributed by volunteers. Frequent Language requests were Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Amharic, Tigrinya, Spanish, Urdu, French, mandarin, Tamil, and Somali. Volunteers on Food Donation Day Volunteer Interpretation Workshop by: Dr. Wendell Block

14 Page 14 AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM This year there were more volunteer placements in the afterschool program compared to the previous year. A total of 87 volunteers assisted the children and youth with their school assignments, one to one tutoring and mentorship during the summer. A total of 528hours were dedicated to the children and youth program. Children engaging in creative arts VOLUNTEER ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Mbalu Lumor (Community Engagement Manager) Carolyn Filteau (Board of Director) Chas Lawther (Volunteer), Shaheynoor Talukder (Volunteer)

15 Page YEARS OF LANGUAGE AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM REPORT For the past 25 years, CCVT s specialized Language and Skills Development Program has been a key component in the recovery and successful rehabilitation of survivors of torture and war. In collaboration with the many other services at CCVT and in partnership with the community, CCVT s English as a Second Language and Skills Training Program enables and supports survivors in the process of successful integration into Canadian society and promotes hope after the horror. Abdul Abubaker Language and Skills Development Coordinator This program, working in conjunction with TDSB ESL classes and other services at CCVT, including settlement, mental health, and our volunteer program maximizes the learning experience and outcomes for our students. We also partner with community support organizations like the Second Harvest who provide a snack to our program to fuel our student s learning. A key objective of the program is also to reduce barriers faced by Survivors of torture and war trauma in their acquisition of English language learning and Computer skills. FOSTERING INDEPENDENCE AND INTERPERSONAL CONNECTIONS The Language and Skills Training ccourses at CCVT are specifically adapted to the learning abilities and needs of our learners and designed to promote language proficiency and skills development of survivors. It nurtures the individual and caters to the needs of adult learners whose trauma makes the learning process harder. Our teachers are highly qualified and specially trained and our curriculum is adapted to help students acquire skills related to their immediate and long term life goals. The classroom atmosphere and supportive environment provide clients with encouragement, hope, community, social context and the help they need to progress with their language and social skills. Experiencing torture, war and other forms of organized violence results in isolation, stress and despair to our survivors of torture. CCVT has met the challenge of teaching English as a Second Language, Skills Training and resettlement issues through the years and provides a safe haven, where clients receive specialized services under one umbrella. A special feature of CCVT s Language and Skills Training Program is that it fosters a link between survivors and the host community. Clients attend LINC, ESL and Skills Training programs not only to learn the language and skills, but to make friends, network, socialize and are among others who have come from and experienced similar traumatic situations. They come to the family and where they know they are accepted. This interaction plays into breaking their isolation and fosters inter-generational interaction among clients. Our students also engage regularly with CCVT volunteers and teachers within the classroom, while some go beyond the classroom environment to become agents of change in the community.

16 Page 16 THE CLASSROOM Every year CCVT provides language and skills training for approximately 300 clients from nearly 100 countries. Clients stay with our English language Programs for an average of 3 to 18 months, moving through language proficiency levels at their own pace. Class levels available to our clients range from low beginner to advanced. Classes are provided solely on CCVT premises downtown and in Scarborough so that clients and teaching staff can access out multidisciplinary team of counselors, settlement staff and medical doctors to help them address the needs and challenges they may experience through their period of recovery and settlement as they arise. CCVT LANGUAGE PROGRAM We are constantly seeking ways to improve our programs through Elena Solokhina collaborative work with instructors, counselors, volunteers and the CCVT computer and secretarial program. The CCVT language program has accumulated significant expertise in delivering services to traumatized immigrant and refugee learners, and in providing workshops and seminars for ESL and educational professionals. CCVT has developed its reputation as an active and leading organization in language learning and skills development specific to newcomer and refugee learners. TUTORING, CONVERSATION CIRCLES, CITIZENSHIP CLASS In cooperation with the volunteer program we have enhanced our English tutoring program to include a significant number of our students. We have also introduced a Citizenship Class to assist our students in preparing for citizenship tests and conversation circles -facilitated by volunteers to assist low beginner and intermediate level students in their communication skills. We have increased the number and frequency of volunteer teaching assistants in class to provide more opportunities for our students to interact with other Canadians in English. We now also have a successful Computer-Aided English Language Instruction that benefits our students tremendously. SUCCESS AND RECOVERY Clients in need of upgrading language skills master the language and acquire basic computer skills to pursue longterm learning in continued education, other skills training, higher education, to find work, and to live with greater confidence and independence and as active participants in Canadian Society. The CCVT language and skills training program continues to be a critical component of a successful recovery program for our clients. It is also the first point of contact with their new home in Canada for our clients. The English and Skills Training program at CCVT has become a source of strength and support that helps our clients resume their lives with independence, confidence and dignity. Language Instruction Classes Left: David Burt (LINC teacher) and Antoni Frolov (Volunteer English Class Assistant), 2015

17 Page 17 COMMITTEE REPORTS: LEGAL COMMITTEE The CCVT Legal Committee is presently composed of six lawyers (in different fields of refugee/immigration law and human rights) and one staff members who act as liaisons by bringing any legal problems CCVT clients may have, to the attention of the Committee. It is also specifically active in the field of policy analysis, legal support and research as well as being involved in monitoring national and international human rights instruments dealing with torture, genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, impunity as well as activities of bodies involved in protection and rehabilitation of survivors, refugees and other uprooted people. The Committee recruits its members from the CCVT Board, Legal Network, staff and volunteers and it provides recommendations to the CCVT Board; it includes at least one person from the Board and one CCVT staff member. DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE CCVT LEGAL COMMITTEE ACCOMPLISHED: Careful monitoring of the national and international legal instruments against torture with the view of prevention, exposure and eradication of torture in Canada and across the globe. Helping the CCVT to urge the government of Canada for the quick ratification of Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). Monitoring Canada s refugee determination process and practice with special attention to protection of survivors of torture, war, genocide and crimes against humanity. Monitoring the implementation of various guidelines of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). Global refugee crisis with special attention to the plight of Syrian and Iraqi refugees and the role of the Canadian government in resettlement and sponsorship of 2500 Syrian refugees with special attention to legal problems of their protection, sponsorship and family unification. The plight of hundreds of refugee claimants who have been waiting for more than four years for their refugee hearing, following the introduction of changes to the refugee determination system in December 2012, that provided scheduling priority to newly arrived claimants. Prior legacy cases, are neglected. Addressing attempts by the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) to impose vacation and cessation applications against Convention refugees and Protected Persons living in Canada. Prolonged waiting period (currently up to 3 years) for those who are accepted by the Immigration and Refugee Board as Protected Persons in Canada applying for permanent residence. Limitation on family reunification and the visa officers obsession in making eligibility more difficult and prolonging the process. Conservative government s limitations on the Interim Federal Health Plan (IFHP) for various categories of refugees and uprooted people, specifically survivors of torture and war. Welcoming positive changes following the change of government in November 2015 and providing the new government with feedback. Attacks against citizenship and naturalization of vulnerable survivors of torture and war by the Conservative government changing the legislations and procedures: increasing the waiting period to 4 years, imposing unaffordable fees, and creating redundant requirements Monitoring amendment to citizenship legislation by the new Liberal government. Working towards acceleration of the process legislative change in the area of citizenship. Supporting people with no status and refugees in immigration limbo. Working against deportation to torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. Working with different community and legal groups as well as the branch office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on urging the government to use immigration detention only as the last resort especially for children.

18 Page 18 INTERVENTION WITH THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA IN THE CASE OF JEYAKANNAN KANTHASAMY VS. THE MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION The CCVT responded to the request from the Refugee Law Office and made an intervention with the Supreme Court of Canada in early 2015 in the case of Jeyakannan Kanthasamy vs. The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. The CCVT received intervening status along with the Canadian Council for Refugees, Justice for Children and Youth, the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative, the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers and the Parkdale Community Legal Services. The case found its way to the Supreme Court of Canada due to the lack of attention to psychological report for the appellant. We sought intervener status in the above case because the constitutional issues raised directly affect our clients. By focusing on the right of every human person not to be returned to torture (Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture), we argued that the vast majority of torture survivors come to Canada to be protected from persecution and torture. Deporting refugees who face a substantial risk of torture in their home countries sends an abhorrent message to our clients that the Canadian government is tolerant of this practice, and will facilitate its continuation. This compounds the trauma of torture survivors who now reside in Canada. The psychologist report submitted by Jeyakannan Kanthasamy in her application was dismissed on the hypothesis that the professional based the assessment on the statements by the client. The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was also not accepted as related to the clients experience of persecution. We reiterated our longstanding position that survivors statements and narratives provide important evidence on their experiences of trauma and its consequences. Torture, war, genocide, and crimes against humanity leave durable physical and psychological impacts on survivors that can be measured by professionals. CCVT professionals validate the accuracy and consistency of clients statements by comparing them with their records, current country conditions and the experiences of other clients. CANADA S ASYLUM SYSTEM With the help of Legal Committee, the CCVT sent a detailed report to the government of Canada about Canada s asylum system. This report was prepared from the perspective of survivors or torture, war, genocide, and crimes against humanity. We shared our feedback with the government an agency serving mental health and settlement needs of survivors. In this written submission, we shared the positive aspects of Canada s asylum system as well as areas of our concern. In conclusion, we made some special requests to Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. CANADIAN CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE (CCIJ) The CCVT is one of the founders of the Canadian Centre for International Justice (CCIJ). From the very first days of its establishment, the Legal Committee has been involved in monitoring CCIJ s activities in addressing the issue of impunity in Canada. Similar to CCIJ, the CCVT is interested in bringing torturers, and war criminals to justice and accountability. CLIENT REFUGEE AND IMMIGRATION CHALLENGES Throughout the year, the Legal Committee provided CCVT with advice on the following issues: Immigration limbo, legal obstacles to family reunification, and different kinds of inadmissibility problems. With close assistance from the Legal Committee, the CCVT made its best efforts to hasten the landing process of vulnerable survivors of torture, war, genocide and crimes against humanity. The Legal Committee has also helped with problems resulting from client s application for Canadian Citizenship. CO-CHAIRS: Andrew Brouwer and Richard Wazana MEMBERS: Christian Marshall, Paulina Wyrzykowski, Christina Adrienne, Jonathan Aikman, Seble Makonnen STAFF SUPPORT: Ezat Mossallanejad

19 Page 19 HEALTH COMMITTEE The following are some highlights of the work of the CCVT Health Committee this year: Research on Torture in Sri Lanka was conducted by Dr. Wendell Block in collaboration with CCVT staff and with the support of a CCVT student placement Maheen Hyder. As a result of this research, a paper was sent to the UN. The paper was entitled Response of the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture to the preliminary observations and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment in Sri Lanka (May 2016) The committee carefully discussed the components of the CCVT certificate course for this year. Since the results from participants to the former course through surveys have demonstrated high satisfaction with the content and format, the committee agreed to run the 9 session s course again. The Mental Health Program is growing and the committee has been proactively recruiting additional psychiatrists to meet the need of the service users. The possibility of using Tele Health and video conferencing is being explored. This will greatly assist the people in detention Centres and also expand CCVT Health/Mental Health network and service delivery to other areas. The committee is planning to organize a meeting of the Health Network to share information on the Istanbul Protocol CCVT participated in an international Conference and presented a Symposium at the "3rd World Congress on Resilience" - RESILIENCE AND CULTURE. Dr. Lisa Andermann lead the presentation and Teresa Dremetsikas presented a paper as well. Congress was held in Trois Rivieres in Quebec. The staff was trained on Narrative Exposure Therapy and 4 sessions of a day duration were delivered by Dr. Clare Paine. The collaboration with Dr. Morton Beiser research on Narrative Exposure Therapy has continued for the present year and upcoming development in the area of dissemination of knowledge and training is expected next year Presentations done by Dr. Lisa Andermann and Teresa Dremetsikas for several clinician and community workers organized by Counselling Services Region of Waterloo Far right: Dr. Lisa Andermann, Far Left:Teresa Dremetsikas and other participants in the "3rd World Congress on Resilience" - RESILIENCE AND CULTURE.

20 Page 20 PUBLIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE MANDATE The function of the Public Education Committee is to contribute to the implementation of the organizational mandate to raise awareness of the continuing effects of torture, war, genocide and crimes against humanity on survivors and their families, and to work for their protection and integrity. The Committee also strives to contribute to the development of human rights in theory and in practice on a domestic, national, regional and global scale. The CCVT is also a learning centre, focusing on torture, other international crimes, and protection and rehabilitation of survivors through activities that include research, production and distribution of learning materials, onsite training and education programs for staff, volunteers, and students and the community, as well as public forums and presentations - locally and globally. The CCVT is involved in a partnership with universities, colleges, hospitals as well as refugee and human rights agencies to promote its mandate. COLLABORATION In its public education endeavors, the CCVT maintained a close collaboration with the Canadian Council for Refugees, Ontario Council for Agencies Serving Immigrants, Toronto Refugee Affairs Council, the Canadian Centre for International Justice, York University, University of Toronto, Ryerson University, University of Ottawa, Wilfred Laurier University, George Brown College, Humber College, Seneca College, FCJ Refugee Centre, Amnesty International and the branch office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The CCVT staff continued to play a major role in the Speakers Bureau of the United Way. It has been a wonderful training opportunity to educate non-profit agencies as well as business communities about the scourge of torture, war genocide and crimes against humanity while paying special attention to the need for rehabilitation of survivors. REFUGEE UPDATE JOURNAL The CCVT continued collaborating with FCJ Refugee Centre and other agencies in producing Refugee Update, a journal of refugee protection in Canada. The CCVT Policy Analyst and Researcher was a member of the editorial board of the journal. The Refugee Update used to be published by the FCJ Refugee Centre three times a year. Its mandate was to help towards a just refugee policy in Canada and assisting settlement and refugee right s workers make their work more effective. Due to the lack of resources and the widespread use of the internet, the Refugee Update s Board decided to stop its publication. PARTNERSHIP WITH SHAHRAVAND PUBLICATION Shahravand Publication is a weekly journal that has been produced in Farsi for the last 25 years. The CCVT Policy Analyst and Researcher is the contributing editor of this journal. He normally contributes an article per week to this journal in the Farsi language. He uses this platform to provide a Farsi version of the articles published by CCVT for the Iranian clients and supporters. CONTINUING PARTNERSHIPS The CCVT continued its partnership with the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University as well as a number of settlement agencies affiliated with the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP). The Scarborough branch of the CCVT collaborated with the Toronto East Quadrant as well as Eglinton East/Kennedy Park Network. The latter includes a network of many agencies such as the YMCA, Tropicana, Public Health, the City of Toronto, etc. The CCVT is collaborating with almost all member agencies with regards to public education on health and legal services.

21 Page 21 The CCVT has also been in close involvement with Mount Sinai Hospital as well as the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in a training program on issues related to after-effects of torture, war, genocide and crimes against humanity. We have addressed issues such as trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, vicarious traumatization, etc. The CCVT continues with its collaboration with the Centre for Ethics, at the University of Toronto. CCVT s collaboration has worked as a link between community and academic research. Along with University of Toronto professors, we supervised students doing research on topics pertaining to the CCVT mandate. SYRIAN REFUGEES Following the government s announcement about the resettlement of 25,000 Syrian refugees, the CCVT utilized its limited resources and got involved in the following educational and training programs: Usage of social media to promote public awareness about the need for protection and effective settlement of refugees in general and Syrian refugees in particular. Organizing seven workshops for volunteers intended to help Syrian refugees. The CCVT care-givers and counsellors shared their experiences about the best practice to serve refugee survivors. The CCVT accepted membership in the Ontario Consultation Committee for Mental Health of Syrian Refugees and a similar consultation committee on their resettlement with the involvement of two provincial ministers. JUNE 26TH PUBLIC AWARENESS EVENT Since 1998, the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) has commemorated June 26 th - the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This year, CCVT engaged in a series of activities intended to empower our clients, including a panel discussion on the Right to Rehabilitation lead by psychiatrists Dr. Abbas Azadian and Dr. Mehr-Afarin Hossein as well as Ms. Rana Khan, UNHCR Legal Officer in Toronto, and a client of the CCVT. The panel was followed by a performance entitled Justice is not Revenge to create awareness of the scourge of torture, to break the circle of silence and to build circles of solidarity with survivors of torture. Staff and Volunteers at June 26 celebration 2015 June 26: Right to Rehabilitation Panelists

22 Page 22 THE BI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE CCR The CCVT attended two bi-annual conferences of the Canadian Council for Refugees and exchanged information with settlement agencies and protection groups across Canada. HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION On December 10, 2015, the CCVT organized two sessions half-day sessions on the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Our clients and volunteers were educated about the developments of the UN human rights system since December 10, 1948, their significance as a fundamental right of humankind and the duty to protect the rights of all. PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL ETHICS Psychologists for Social Responsibility welcomed the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture to their conference, Torture Survivors Issues and Medical Ethics, where the main issue was to challenge the American Psychological Association s involvement in consultations with the Bush administration on the use of torture. The CCVT Policy Analyst and Researcher gave a historical account about human efforts to prevent doctors and medical personnel from involvement in the practice of torture in any sense of the term. He discussed extensively about various UN instruments on the prevention of such involvement in torture, including the UN 1982 Principals of Medical Ethics. WORKSHOPS ON TRAUMA AND TRAUMA INFORMED CARE Our Trauma/Settlement Counselor and Policy Analyst presented to a 4th year Social Work class at York University on Wednesday November 18, He provided students with a detailed workshop on the issue of trauma related to torture, war, genocide and crimes against humanity. The students were taken to a journey from the realm of individual trauma to the collective one. They were provided with some key suggestions about overcoming trauma and relieving its aftermath. The Community Inclusivity Equity Council of York Region held a Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Symposium on April 29, 2015 where the CCVT Settlement and Trauma Counsellor presented on Collective Trauma a discussion of how the multi-faceted atrocities of war and torture may traumatize an entire population. CCVT held an event entitled Trauma-Informed Care: Supporting Survivors of Torture, War and Organized Violence on December 17, 2015 where our Program Manager and a Mental Health Counselor presented about the mental health impact of torture, and holistic strategies that support survivors. WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK The CCVT improved its website ( and created a Facebook account with the intention of promoting public awareness about prevention, exposure and eradication of torture and rehabilitation of survivors. LEARNING MATERIALS CCVT s journal, the First Light, continues to provide valued and critical commentary on current issues along with information on the Centre s programs and activities. First Light has and will continue to serve as a valuable means of education and public awareness. First Light, along with other research reports and public education materials are available on the CCVT web site. CHAIR: Fanta Ongoiba MEMBERS: Marina Nemat and Mulugeta Abai and Adriana Salazar STAFF SUPPORT: Ezat Mossallanejad, Teresa Dremetsikas and Mbalu Lumor

23 Page 23 INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE The CCVT International Committee monitors the activities and services of a network of organizations that support survivors of torture, war, genocide and crimes against humanity and makes the recommendations necessary to the CCVT Board of Directors. This committee is working towards monitoring and responding to global issues related to the prevention, exposure and eradication of torture, war, genocide and crimes against humanity. During the fiscal year , the International Committee was involved in the following activities: IN DEFENSE OF EDUCATORS, JOURNALISTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS The CCVT continued with monitoring the condition of human rights and prevalence of torture in different countries and responded to the requests of sister agencies and intervened with the government of Canada, perpetrating government and inter-governmental agencies for release of prisoners of conscience specifically educators, journalists and human rights activists. OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONSULTATION AGAINST TORTURE (OPCAT) The International Committee continued to monitor developments regarding OPCAT. The CCVT has written frequently to the Prime Minister of Canada about the utmost need of ratification of the OPCAT (March 20, 29014, April 15, 2014 and December 10, 2014, March 29, 2016). We have also written to the Premiers all the Canadian provinces and territories and urged that Canada should sign and seek ratification of the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Optional Protocol or OPCAT). The CCVT has collaborated with the Amnesty International in this direction. On 10 December 2014, the CCVT endorsed Amnesty International s petition to this effect. In December 2002 the United Nations adopted the OPCAT, an international instrument that stands to make an important contribution to preventing torture and ill-treatment worldwide. The OPCAT lays out a framework for regular national and international level inspections of detention centers, with a view to identifying and remedying the conditions that encourage and allow torture and ill-treatment to take place. The OPCAT entered the stage if enforcement in To date, 83 states have ratified the protocol. A further 18 states have signed but not ratified the protocol. The main challenge before the International Committee is working with sister agencies to persuade the Canadian government to accede to this marvelous piece of international law against torture. SYRIA, UKRAINE, SOUTH SUDAN AND THE CASE OF ABDUCTED NIGERIAN GIRLS On May 6, 2015, the CCVT International committee met and engaged in a thorough discussion about the above hot regions of the world and raised its special concern about the escalation of war, generalized violence and multiple crimes against humanity in these areas. We decided to use all possible means of persuading the Canadian government to protect Canadian values and play a leading role in putting an immediate halt to the conflict in these regions. AFGHANISTAN On January 26, 2016, the CCVT wrote to the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, raising its concern about the escalation of war, generalized violence and multiple crimes against humanity in Afghanistan. We urged the Canadian government to contribute towards peace in Afghanistan. We made an urgent appeal to the Prime Minister to rely on the moral

24 Page 24 authority of the Canadian society and utilize all unilateral, bilateral and multilateral means to stop the war and human rights violations in Afghanistan. The CCVT is disturbed by the media reports about civilian casualties in Afghanistan including women, children, elders, journalists, human rights supporters, relief workers, etc. - during this prolonged and brutal civil conflict, and the displacement of millions of refugees. STATELESSNESS The CCVT responded to the invitation of the Ottawa branch of the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) and attended the UNHCR conference on the global problem of statelessness. We reiterated our position that the Canadian government must ratify the UN 1954 Convention on the Protection of Stateless Persons. THE USA AND SYRIAN REFUGEES The CCVT accepted the invitation of the US Consulate General in Toronto and participated at a consultation meeting about resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States of America. We share our experiences on helping towards effective resettlement of Syrian refugees in Canada. LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA (Please see appendix A for the letter) As a follow up to the letter of December 12, 2014, the CCVT wrote a detailed letter to Mr. Barack Obama, the President of the United States of America, on March 28, 2016, about the need for ratification of the Rome Statute for International Criminal Court and the utmost need for the US accession to the Convention on the rights of the child. CCIJ During the past year, the CCVT continued its collaboration with the Canadian Centre for International Justice (CCIJ). The CCIJ is now incorporated as a non-profit charitable NGO. The mandate of CCIJ is to address the global problem of impunity, and to bring torturers, war criminals and people who have committed crimes against humanity to justice in Canada. CHAIR: Fanta Ongoiba MEMBERS: Mbalu Lumor, Mulugeta Abai, Marina Nemat and Adriana Salazar STAFF SUPPORT: Ezat Mossallanejad, Teresa Dremetsikas

25 Page 25 CCVT CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAM: APRIL, 2015 MARCH, 2016 HIGHLIGHTS From April 2015 through March 2016, 604 children and youth survivors of torture and/or war were registered at CCVT, assessed for mental health and settlement needs, and referred to relevant internal and external resources, including the following CCVT programs and services: INDIVIDUAL MENTAL HEALTH AND SETTLEMENT COUNSELLING Rooted in CCVT s holistic model of service delivery, Children & Youth Counselors work in collaboration with the entire staff team to offer trauma-informed settlement support to children, youth, and families who have survived torture and/or war as well as forced migration. This includes comprehensive intake and assessment, as well as supportive counselling and appropriate referrals to address complex intersecting client needs, such as housing, immigration, social services, mental and physical health, education, employment, and community engagement. Significant numbers of children and youth accessed psychiatric, psychological, and physical assessment, documentation, and treatment through referrals to the CCVT medical network. Many CCVT youth clients were also matched with volunteer mentors through the newly launched Youth Mentorship Program, who served to orient them to the Greater Toronto Area, provide social, educational, and pre-employment support, and oftentimes lend assistance in navigating local systems and in the development of English language skills. INFORMATION SESSIONS/LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Throughout the past year, information sessions and leadership development trainings were coordinated to effectively address the needs of newcomer children and youth. The children learned about nutrition, internet safety, fire prevention and the dangers of tobacco use. Workshops for youth were organized around topics such as sexual health, community leadership, self-defense, post-secondary education, stereotypes, empowerment, and healthy relationships. CCVT Scarborough after school program paying a visit to their local fire station

26 Page 26 YOUTH WORKSHOPS: HEALTH, ARTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES CCVT hosted a Youth Program from July 2015 June 2016, committed to providing thirty workshops and activities in both the Downtown and Scarborough sites, under the primary categories of health, arts, and recreation. Health workshops focused on topics such as healthy relationships, self-esteem, cultural identity, recognizing triggers and coping mechanisms, stress management, conflict resolution, drug and sexual health awareness. Arts workshops explored photography, dance and sculpture-making. Youth were also invited to attend recreational activities, including trips to the Art Gallery of Ontario, Ontario Science Centre, bowling, laser tag as well as various movie and game nights. The Youth program supported participants learning in life-skills and in accessing physical and social activities within the city, to make new friends, and develop self-confidence, communication skills, self-expression and creativity. It also helped youth to gain knowledge and skills as in various art mediums, as well as awareness of health topics and resources available in the community. All of the activities worked towards the goal of providing tools and strategies to manage stress and cope with the effects of trauma. AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN SCHOOL SUPPORT Elementary-school aged children participated in CCVT s vibrant after-school Homework Club three days weekly at both the Downtown and Scarborough locations, where they received individual and group support in completing school assignments and improving English literacy. This program also serves to strengthen the relationship between CCVT and the families served through the development of nurturing educational spaces and enhanced opportunities to connect with staff and volunteers. Many thanks to all our dedicated volunteers for their commitment to this program! Students enjoy their snack before Afterschool Activities Club begins

27 Page 27 MUSIC LESSONS At the Downtown site, twenty children had the opportunity to access ukulele lessons throughout the year as a component of the After School Program, facilitated by Ukulele Kids, a non-profit community partner of CCVT. Many children reported enjoying the opportunity to access musical lessons which would otherwise be unavailable to them due to financial constraints. CCVT children practice their skills on the Ukulele as part of the Afterschool music program Additionally, more than 30 children at the Scarborough location received instruction in the guitar by a trained teacher during their summer programming. Lessons were held twice a week for the duration of the six weeks of camp. Many of the kids had never had the opportunity to hold a musical instrument before taking these lessons and were thrilled with the experience. They learned several basic songs that they proudly shared with their peers. ARTS PROGRAMMING From April to June 2015, CCVT s children clients had the opportunity to participate in an Art Club, which occurred once weekly at the Downtown site following the school support program and focused on theatre, drama and improvisation. The children thoroughly enjoyed the program, as they were able to use their creativity and imagination to bring ideas to life by developing skits, costumes, and playing theatrical games. The Scarborough office also provided arts programming for the children during their summer session. In addition to music, the children engaged in artistic expression through clay work, painting, drawing, dance and drama. They were able to showcase their cultivated skills with a talent show at the end of the program. Children engaging in creative arts

28 Page 28 AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR YOUTH SCHOOL SUPPORT Every Monday, youth clients attending High School accessed educational support at both the Downtown and Scarborough sites through participation in the Homework Club. Particularly for migrant youth forced to flee their countries of origin alone without family support, this program fills an important gap in terms of navigating the Canadian educational system and overcoming multiple intersecting barriers in accessing education and employment opportunities. The Homework Club also functioned to build trust and rapport between staff and youth clients and to engage those who might experience a drop-in space as more accessible than formal counselling appointments. Positive feedback from the youth indicated that meaningful help with school assignments was received and that the Homework Club was a positive space where they could increase networks of social support. At the Scarborough site, many youth also volunteered within the After-School program which gave them an opportunity to acquire volunteer hours. CCVT youth participate in a team building exercise ARTS PROGRAMMING At the Downtown location an eight-week photography workshop series for newcomer youth was facilitated by a professional photographer following the school support program. Scarborough s youth attended weekly sessions facilitated by volunteers and experienced a wide range of mediums in which to express themselves. Most popular were the Bollywood dance lessons, creative writing and dramatic art sessions. MUSIC LESSONS Roughly 40 youth participated in guitar and/or ukulele lessons throughout the year at the Scarborough and Downtown sites. The majority of participants were within their first year in Canada, and reported that the opportunity to learn a musical instrument on a weekly basis added fun, structure, and community to their process of settlement. For many newly arrived youth, accessing guitar lessons also helped to strengthen their relationship with CCVT, and acted as a gateway to access CCVT s services in trauma-informed settlement support (including housing, health, immigration, social isolation, and employment).

29 Page 29 Guitar Lessons from Summer Quest SUMMER QUEST CCVT s annual Summer Quest programming for children and youth clients enabled access to free communitybuilding and recreational activities during the months of July and August, These activities provided clients with an opportunity to reduce social isolation, increase physical activity, practice English language skills, and build their knowledge of Toronto as their new home city. At the Downtown and Scarborough sites, children and youth participated in field trips to a variety of locations, including the Toronto Botanical garden, Toronto Centre Island, Ripley s Aquarium, a Toronto Blue Jays Game, and team sports at local parks.

30 Page 30 At the Scarborough site, CCVT continued to implement a partnership with the Toronto District School Board s Focus on Youth program through the Day Camp at Winston Churchill Collegiate. A camp was facilitated for children and youth clients, which included recreational activities, exercise, volunteer work, and leadership training, as well as educational workshops around healthy lifestyles choices. OUTREACH & PUBLIC EDUCATION Outreach and public education continues to be an integral part of the Children and Youth Program and an essential component of CCVT s mandate. Children and Youth Counselors were engaged in a number of networks and initiatives dedicated to promoting the well-being of survivors of torture and/or war, and continued to build strong partnerships with local schools, shelters, legal networks, community agencies and health providers. Children and Youth Counselors also conducted public education presentations to draw attention to the impact of torture, war, and forced migration on the mental health and settlement of children and youth, and to promote strategies for the provision of meaningful and culturally relevant interventions to this highly diverse and resilient population. Training sessions in working with refugee youth were delivered to other front-line service providers, City of Toronto staff, ESL teachers, and community members. Presentations were also conducted at annual conferences, including the Canadian Council for Refugees Fall Consultation. STUDENT SUPERVISION The CCVT Children and Youth program has provided supervision and mentorship to a number of student placements from a range of educational institutions including York University, Ryerson University, and the University of Toronto.

31 Page 31 MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM REPORT Abby Jackman Mental Health Counselor Domine Rutayisire Mental Health Counselor CCVT MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM CCVT s mental health programming includes supportive counselling, crisis intervention, group counselling and support services for individuals who have experienced torture and/or war. CCVT provides clients with supports and services to promote health and wellness. COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS Since partnering with Women s Health in Women s Hands, Sherbourne Health Centre and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, CCVT has worked to create a coordinated service delivery model intended to promote traumainformed, culturally appropriate care to clients accessing mental health services. TRAINING CCVT mental health services have developed with increased skill building for staff including training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. CCVT has also secured further training in Narrative Exposure Therapy for this coming Fall and will offer staff access to the CCVT Certificate Course: Torture, Trauma, Psychosocial Impact and Mental Health: Meeting the Needs of War and Torture Survivors this coming September. RESEARCH CCVT, in collaboration with George Brown College, the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health and the Wellesley Institute, has engaged in the first phase of research on the needs, barriers, and facilitators to post-secondary education for victims of torture and political oppression. From the first phase of the research, which involved interviews with CCVT clients, many challenges were identified in accessing post-secondary education. A 15-week pilot program tailored to the needs of participants will be offered beginning September This pilot program will assist participants in breaking down barriers to post-secondary education through preparation and collaboration in a supportive environment. Each 4-hour session will be tailored to participants needs and will focus on preparing participants for their individual journeys to accessing and succeeding in post-secondary education. SUPPORT GROUPS The Women s Wellness and Empowerment support group provided an opportunity for female clients to address some of the individual challenges and systematic barriers they face through discussion and information sharing in a safe and supportive environment. This group provided clients with relevant information in the areas of stress management, mental health, assertive communication, healthy relationships, and sexual health. Additionally, participants in the Women s Wellness and Empowerment support group engaged in discussions about individual rights and freedoms as well as community building. The link between empowerment and mental health was emphasized and so this group worked to create discussion about the links between individual rights, mental health, and community health.

32 Page 32 Throughout the year, 7 support groups ran at the downtown, Scarborough and Victoria Hub locations. These groups included: Downtown Office: 1. Ethiopian and Eritrean Women Group 2. Sewing group Women from diverse ethnic backgrounds (mainly African) 3. Francophone women group 4. Francophone Parenting Support Group Scarborough Office: 5. Tamil Women Support Groups 6. Seniors Group Victoria Park Hub Office 7. Arabic Speaking Women Each of these groups created opportunities for clients to learn important information and resources related to their needs including: housing, employment, immigration, parenting, education, and health. These groups also provided space for clients to create and develop their supportive networks. PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH CCVT continues to provide public education and outreach to community agencies, and post-secondary institutions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arab Community Centre, University of Toronto, Attewell Employment and Social Services, and Yonge Street Mission. Topics for these sessions included: Effectively Engaging Syrian Refugees Supporting Survivors of Torture/War Supporting Survivors of Torture/War with English Language Acquisition Trauma-Informed Care for Survivors of Torture/War Recognizing Survivors of Torture/War: For Consular/Visa Officers HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES STATS: CLIENTS SEEN BY PSYCHIATRISTS AND FAMILY DOCTORS Total number of clients that received services: 401 Assessments (Psychiatric and Family Doctors): 235 Reports for IRB (Psychiatric and Family Doctors): 219 Number of subsequent visits : 335 YEAR 2016 Adult Senior Youth/Child* Total TOTAL Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male TOTAL

33 Page 33 CLIENT COUNTRY OF ORIGIN TABLE COUNTRY # OF CLIENTS COUNTRY # OF CLIENTS Afghanistan 23 Korea( North) 1 Albania 5 Libya 1 Angola 5 Mexico 1 Antigua 1 Morocco 1 Bahrain 2 Namibia 2 Bangladesh 1 Nicaragua 2 Burundi 3 Nigeria 17 Cameroon 9 North Korea 2 Chad 1 Pakistan 9 China 2 Russia 2 Colombia 10 Rwanda 2 Congo 8 Saudi Arabia 3 Croatia 3 Slovakia 3 Cuba 1 Somalia 38 Djibouti 2 Sierra Leone 2 Ecuador 1 Sri Lanka 25 El Salvador 1 St. Lucia 1 Eritrea 11 Sudan 1 Ethiopia 21 Swaziland 2 Gambia 3 Syria 57 Georgia 1 Trinidad & Tobago 1 Ghana 2 Turkey 10 Guinea 1 Turkmenistan 1 Haiti 1 Tunisia 3 Hungary 11 Uganda 9 Iran 42 Ukraine 3 Iraq 12 Venezuela 6 Ivory Coast 1 Kenya 12 TOTAL 401

34 Page 34 TORONTO SOUTH LOCAL IMMIGRATION PARTNERSHIP (TSLIP) REPORT The Toronto South Local Immigration Partnership (TSLIP) is coming up to a transition period. This year is the end of our current Strategic Plan. Having said that it has also been a very reflective year on the effectiveness of the program to help in bettering the services in the Sector. With the announcement of over 25,000 Syrian Refugees being resettled in Canada in a one year period. There was a lot of work to be done to have the sector prepared for that influx. One of the first actions of the TSLIP was to appoint a staff member as Liaison on all things that were related to Syrian resettlement. Through the Liaison and member input a coordinated response plan was done to better help all agencies in the Toronto South to serve newcomers. Some of the resources developed were the translation of our Newcomer welcome brochure to French and Arabic. The development of a Syrian specific resource page on the TSLIP website was done to give settlement workers a tool in finding all services and information available to Syrian refugees to assist in the settlement process. TSLIP also developed a pathway to settlement for privately sponsored refugees as one of the key populations that would require more assistance was the refugees being sponsored privately due to the knowledge their sponsors may or may not have. The TSLIP provided two workshops to help prepare settlement workers prepare for Syrian resettled refugees. How to effectively engage with Syrian refugees was a workshop done by the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture in partnership with the Arab Community Centre of Toronto. The training was a base for Trauma informed care as well as an introductory look at Syrian culture and how diverse it is and the challenges this may cause to delivering services. The second workshop was one in partnership with WoodGreen Community Services on Financial Literacy, which would give tools to settlement workers on how to help newcomers navigate Canada s financial system with information on what it entails and best practices going forward. TSLIP also in partnership with the City of Toronto s Newcomer Office held and information fair for private sponsors of refugees at Metro Hall. This event was attended by all city service divisions, the Toronto City council s newcomer advocates, as well as over 20 settlement agencies to provide information to persons sponsoring or planning to sponsor refugees to come to Toronto. The TSLIP working groups have also developed resources, through the help of the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture s (CCVT) resources and expertise. A guide for unaccompanied youth in Toronto was developed called Young, Alone and New to Toronto. CCVT s work was essential in the research phase providing access to postsecondary students to bring all the resources together to create an effective tool for settlement workers to help unaccompanied youth settle in Canada. The TSLIP has also evolved as program. In order to effectively promote partnership, the program has moved to its own unique office were all staff from 4 different agencies can work together to promote the Local Immigration

35 Page 35 Partnership model and show that true collaboration can create a more effective and efficient settlement sector. One true example of this was the speedy response to the high volume of Syrian refugees and how effective the partnership that have come out of this are working to guarantee true settlement of all newcomers in the Toronto South. CCVT staff Sidonia Couto making a presentation on Trauma Informed Care

36 Page 36 BOARD OF DIRECTORS BRIEF BIOS: 1. RICHARD WAZANA (LLB) holds an LLB from Osgood Hall Law School, York University, and an MSW and a Master's of Education from the University of Toronto. He is currently working as an immigration and refugee lawyer. Mr. Wazana brings extensive social policy and social services experience. He was actively involved in the following organizations: Park dale Community Legal services, Kids Help Phone, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Laidlaw Foundation and Family Services Association of Toronto. He joined the Board in December MOHAN DOSS (MA) has a Master s degree specializing in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations. Mohan also serves on the board of the Mennonite New Life Centre. He was Director of Human Resources at Catholic Cross Cultural Centre and is currently working as Director of Programs and Services at Throncliffe Neighborhood Centre. He is past chair of CCVT board of directors and is currently member of the executive. 3. MARINA NEMAT was born in 1965 in Tehran, Iran. After the Islamic Revolution of 1979, she was arrested at the age of sixteen and spent more than two years in Evin, a political prison in Tehran, where she was tortured and came very close to execution. She came to Canada in 1991 and has called it home ever since. Her memoir of her life in Iran, Prisoner of Tehran, was published in Canada by Penguin Canada in 2007, has been published in 28 other countries, and has been an international bestseller. In 2007, Marina received the inaugural Human Dignity Award from the European Parliament, and in 2008, she received the prestigious Grinzane Prize in Italy. She was the recipient of the Morris Abram Human Rights Award from UN Watch in Geneva, Switzerland, in In 2008/2009, she was an Aurea Fellow at University of Toronto s Massey College, where she wrote her second book, After Tehran: A Life Reclaimed, which was published in Marina regularly speaks at high schools, universities, and conferences around the world and sits on the Board of Directors at CCVT (Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture) and on advisory boards at ACAT (Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture) and PEN Canada. She has a Certificate in Creative Writing from the School of Continuing Studies at University of Toronto and currently teaches memoir writing at the SCS. In 2014, she was a recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award at the School. Occasionally, she writes book reviews and opinion pieces for the Globe and Mail and is a regular contributor to the Oslo Freedom Forum. 4. FATOUMATA (FANTA) ONGOIBA (PhD) is the Executive Director of African in Partnership against Aids. She is is a leader in the African community, a member of Ontario Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS, and African/ Carribean Council on HIV/AIDS. She holds Master s in Cooperative Business Development and management, Masters in Business Administration and PhD in Economics. 5. ADRIANA SALAZAR (BA, IPMP) is the Coordinator of the Community Engagement Program at the Mennonite New Life in Toronto. Her training and practice in social justice and human rights spans 20 years of work in Colombia and Canada. She brings over three years of direct engagement with immigrant communities in Toronto around topics of economic, social and civic inclusion. Adriana has led three Participatory Action Research projects investigating the access to fair and meaningful employment for newcomers and exploring the civic and

37 Page 37 political participation of immigrant communities. She has promoted empowering opportunities for recent immigrants to share their stories of struggle, resilience and innovation through initiatives such as the Newcomer Advocacy Committee, Newcomers Speakers Bureau and New Voices Newsletter. Adriana s undergraduate training is in social psychology at Javeriana University (Colombia). She is also a graduate of the International Project Management program at Humber College (Toronto) and the Community Economic Development Program at Concordia University (Montreal). 6. BRANKA AGIC (PhD) is the Manager of Health Equity at CAMH and Deputy Director of the Collaborative Program in Addiction Studies, School of Graduate Studies, and University of Toronto. Branka received a Master s degree in Health Science in Health Promotion with the Collaborative Program in Addiction Studies from the University of Toronto, and a medical degree from the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. She successfully completed her PhD in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto in Branka has extensive experience working with immigrants and refugees. Her main areas of interest include social determinants of immigrant and refugee mental health and access to services. 7. SEBLE MAKONNEN (BA, LLB.) works as a policy analyst and justice lead at the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division. She worked as a criminal lawyer for almost ten years after her call to the Ontario Bar in 2005, doing primarily Legal Aid work and working as Duty Counsel, assisting marginalized groups and people in need. 8. KEMI JACOBS (MA) is Executive Director of Delta Family Resource Centre and has also been director of property management at one of the largest social housing companies in North America, with a focus on quality housing, the engagement of tenants and building a healthy organization. In her work in the west of Toronto, her team is focusing on capacity-building, good customer service, clean buildings and a strong operational performance. Prior to this post, Kemi lead the Children and Youth Section at TCHC. Under her leadership, there was a total reorientation of the dept as the focus changed to youth development approaches and on the integration of an antioppression framework into work with children and youth. Programs centered on employment and finding opportunities for young people to succeed and shine. Highlights have included innovative initiatives such as the Leadership series for approximately 300 youth from across the City, a Zine, Youth in Power youth group, increasing youth involvement in TCHC's Tenant Participation System, an Economic Opportunities forum and on developing strategic partnerships with employment agencies that led to jobs for 400 youth in the summer of 2006, as well as with the Ontario Justice Education Network. With over 20 years of community involvement, Kemi is a past President of the Canadian Council for Refugees, former executive director of CultureLink Settlement Services and a past chairperson of the National Anti-Racism Council of Canada. 9. TEONST KABANDA (CPA, CGA, MBA) is a Chartered professional Accountant, (CPA,CGA) member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK) and allied member of Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA) and has MBA from Laurentian University. He was Manager, Finance and Administration with Sojourn House. He currently is the Director of Finance and Administration at Black Creek Community Health Centre.

38 Page CAROLYN FILTEAU (MPA, PhD) earned her PhD from Osgood Law School, York University, Master of Public Administration from Queens University and a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Toronto. She has worked as Academic Integrity Officer, facilitating discussions between faculty and students, Academic Planning Consultant, assisted in the development and coordination plan for Ryerson University and reviewing administrative procedures of Graduate School for Guelph University. Dr. Filteau brings extensive research and administrative experiences to CCVT. 11. FIONA C. THOMAS (PhD) is a PhD candidate in the Clinical Psychology program at Ryerson University and with many years of research experience. Fiona s academic interests are in cross-cultural mental health, including the adaptation, delivery, and evaluation of mental health interventions for individuals often overlooked by mainstream mental health services. Fiona has worked with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care (MoHLTC) 10-year Mental Health and Addictions Strategy (Strategy). She worked hands on in supporting the development of the Strategy with the MoHLTC. She then worked with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on the implementation and evaluation of one of the Strategy s provincial initiatives. The experience of working on a provincial policy, from creation through to implementation and evaluation helped Fiona further understand the complexities between applied research and policy, and evidence based clinical services for patients. She is currently a member of the Community- Engaged Research on Culture & Health Lab at Ryerson University, under the supervision of Dr. Kelly McShane. In addition to her doctoral research in Sri Lanka, Fiona remains actively involved in supporting newcomer populations settle in the Toronto area. 12. JEHAN TEJA (MA) Born in Toronto to first-generation East African Indian immigrant parents, Jehan grew up very aware of the challenges around resettlement in a new country. Since her early teens, she has volunteered in many capacities with Shia Ismaili Muslim institutions, including extensive work with youth from families that had recently fled Central Asia (Afghanistan in particular.) She has an undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science, and a Master's degree in Economics, both from McMaster University. For four years she was a capital planner with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, but left this position to pursue her current endeavours as the owner and artist behind Azki Jewelry, through which she designs and creates ethical jewelry and fashion accessories. Most recently her work has become a permanent feature at the Aga Khan Museum shop.

39 Page AWARD RECIPIENTS TREVOR BARTRAM AWARD RECIPIENT TREVOR BARTRAM AWARD MR. EL FAROUK KHAKI Lawyer and Human Rights Activist The late Trevor Bertram PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS Prof. Susan McGrath 2012 Tony Boston 2013 Léonie Tchatat 2014 The Crossroads Clinic 2015

40 Page AMINA MALKO AWARD AMINA MALKO AWARD RECIPIENT 2016 DR. HELEN MOUSSA Author and Human Rights Activist The late Amina Malko PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS Notisha Massaquoi 2012 Judith Pilowsky 2013 Dada Gasirabo 2014 Afghan Women s Organization 2015

41 Page 41 CCVT STAFF Mulugeta Abai Teresa Dremetsikas Mbalu Lumor Ezat Mossallanejad Abdul Abubaker Sidonia Couto* Juliette Ntege Samar Ahmed Amy Soberano * Mildred Ahmed Nadia Umadat Selamawit Yohanes

42 Page 42 Elena Solokhina Delfina Vega de Paiz David Burt Inez Caldwell Rose Coulton Elena Sen Domine Rutayisere (New) Samina Zubairi Abigail Jackman (New) Venusha Kalatharan (New) Luxsiga Ambigaibagan (New) Kubra Zaifi Nebal Abou Mostafa (New) Easmin Shultana (New) Megha Agnihotri (New) Avril Daley**

43 Page 43 Akram Ramezani Chantel Messam Cathlin Martin (New) Leyan Saleh Sevan Hajinian Tina Lines (New) Khaled Nour Giovanni Rico *Resigned ** Maternity Leave Alejandra Salgado (New) STUDENT INTERNS Lee-Ann Lavell, MSW McGill University Abigail Jackman, MSW University of Toronto Maheen Hyder, MSW University of Toronto Luxsiga Ambigaibagan, BSW (Hons), RSW,York University

44 Page 44 FINANCIAL REPORT MARCH APRIL 2016 REVENUE: Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Settlement 1,174,550 1,170,458 - LIP 111, ,546 - NHQ 4,400 - United Way of Greater Toronto 242, ,192 Donations\Fundraising 129, ,523 Foundations and Other Charities 11,500 48,094 City of Toronto - CSP 25,925 25,390 - Investing in Neighbourhoods 25, Toronto Urban Health Fund 24,274 - Ministry of Health (LHIN) 46,092 - Ministry of Citizenship - NSP 76,911 76,911 - Innovative Settlement Project 42,893 42,892 - Summer Experience 2, Pay Equity 23,311 23,311 Ministry of Children & Youth Services 15,125 - Honoraria\Fees 1,861 9,530 Interest\Sundry Income 1,578 8,087 Foreign Exchange Fain - 18,073 United Nations Voluntary Fund - 9,750 TOTAL INCOME 1,960,615 1,911,757

45 Page 45 FINANCIAL REPORT MARCH APRIL 2016 EXPENSES: Wages and Benefits 1,387,814 1,395,778 Program Supplies & Expenses 75,396 84,886 Rent 64,171 61,865 Common Expenses 52,968 48,323 Fundraising Expense 37,664 37,003 Bookkeeping 35,452 35,744 I.T. Suport\Web Hosting 33,088 28,241 Maintenance & Cleaning 29,628 27,803 Telephone 26,608 29,437 Utilities 26,180 28,629 Printing and Photocopying 25,580 25,098 Professional Fees 14,584 3,270 Insurance 12,701 12,434 Postage and Courier 10,468 8,237 Mortgage Interest 8,090 8,929 Publicity 8,027 2,944 Funded Capital Purchases 7,949 10,453 Foreign Exchange Loss 6,625 - Volunteer Support 6,417 2,486 Staff Development 3,766 2,582 Interest and Bank Charges 3,082 4,225 Conferences & Meetings 2,967 6,134 Membership Dues 2,164 1,500 Stationary & Supplies 1,398 6,131 Dues and Fees 355 1,155 Resource Production 33 - Moving Expenses Amortization 30,669 29,118 TOTAL EXPENSES 1,913,844 1,902,555 NET INCOME 46,771 9,202

46 Page 46 CCVT SURVIVORS IN NUMBERS APRIL 2015-MARCH 2016 TOTAL CLIENTS: 2,115; COUNTRIES:97; FEMALE: 1125; MALE:979; LGBTQI: 11 Country CCVT SURVIVORS Adult Senior Child Youth Adult Senior Child Youth Total Country M F O M F M F M F M F O M F M F M F Total Afghanistan Jamaica Albania Jordan Algeria Kazakhstan Angola Kenya Antigua & Barbuda Korea North Argentina Kuwait Azerbaijan Lebanon Bahamas Liberia Bahrain Libya Bangladesh Mali Barbados Mexico Belarus Morocco Bolivia Namibia Bosnia & Herzegovina Nepal Botswana Nicaragua Burkina Faso Niger Burundi Nigeria Cameroon Pakistan Canada Palestine Central African Republic Peru Chad Philippines Chile Russia China Rwanda Colombia Saudi Arabia Congo DE Senegal Croatia Serbia Cuba Sierra Leone Czech Republic Slovakia Djibouti Somalia Dominican Republic South Africa Ecuador Sri Lanka Egypt St Lucia El Salvador St Vincent & Grenadines Eritrea Sudan Ethiopia Swaziland Gambia Syria Georgia Tanzania Ghana Trinidad & Tobago Greece Turkey Guatemala Turkmenistan Guinea Uganda Guyana Ukraine Haiti United States of America Honduras Uzbekistan Hungary Venezuela India Yemen Indonesia Zambia Iran Zimbabwe Iraq Total ,115

47 Page 47 Top Ten Countries of CCVT Clients in Sri Lanka Iraq Eritrea Iran Ethiopia Syria Afghanistan Nigeria Hungary D.R. Congo Children 10% AGE CATEGORY Youth 18% Divorced 4% Separated 5% MARITAL STATUS Window 3% Common Law 1% Single 50% Seniors 4% Adults 68% Married 37% Single Married Separated Divorced Window Common Law Source of Referrals Not Referred and Other Media/ Publication Other Settlement Service Provider 2% 6% 4% Lawyer/ImmigrationConsultant Community Centre./Library 16% 20% Family Friends 51% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

48 Page 48 MOST SPOKEN LANGUAGES Arabic, 443 English, 595 Tamil, 223 Farsi (Persian), 140 French, 137 Tigrigna, 117 Amharic, 89 Dari, 86 Hungarian, 71 Armenian, 69 Spanish, LEVEL OF EDUCATION Masters 2% Post Secondary 25% PHD 0% No Formal Education 11% Elementary 21% Secondary 41% No Formal Education Elementary Secondary Post Secondary Masters PHD

49 Page 49 COLLABORATING AGENCIES Abaasarusi Missionary Church Access Alliance Multicultural Community Health Centre ACCESS Employment Centre Adam's House Afghan Association of Ontario Afghan Women's Counseling & Integration Community Support Organization Africans in Partnership Against AIDS (APAA) Albert Campbell Public Library Applegrove Community Center Amnesty International Arab Community Centre of Toronto Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic Bickford Centre - TDSB Birkdale Women s Shelter Bloor Information and Lifeskills Center Brampton African Community Services Black Creek Community Health Centre CAMH (Center for Addition and Mental Health) Canadian Arab Foundation Canadian Centre for International Justice Canadian Council for Refugees Canadian Red Cross Canadian Tamil Youth Development Center Canoraaa (Centre Francaphones de Jeunes de Toronto) Catholic Community Services of North York Catholic Community Services of York Region Catholic Cross Cultural Services Catholic Immigration Center Casa de las Americas Cawthoura Park Secondary School Cedarbrae Library Center for Ethics, University of Toronto Children s Aid Society Centre Francophone du Toronto Metropolitan Centre for Information & Community Resources Center for Spanish Speaking Peoples Centre Medico-Social Communautaire Christie Refugee Welcome Centre Chinese Family Services City Adult and Learning Center (CALC) Community Microskills Development Center College Boreal Community Action Resource Centre Community Resource Connections of Toronto Cornwall and district Immigratnt Service COSTI Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA) Covenant House CultureLink Davenport-Perth Neighborhood Center Dixie-Bloor Neighborhood Services Dixon Hall Employment Services Downsview Family Health Centre East End Community Health Centre East Metro Toronto Youth Services East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club East York Collegiate Institute Elizabeth Fry Society Eritrean Canadian Community Centre of Metropolitan Toronto Family Residence - Lido Motel Family Service Association in Scarborough Federation of Metro Tenant s Association Flemingdon Neighbourhood Services Florence Booth House: The Salvation Army Fred Victor George Brown College Good Sheppard Ministries Goodwill Employment Centre HALCO (HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic, Ontario) Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Center Hong Fook Mental Health Association Iranian Canadian Newcomer Association Iranian Community Association Islamic Social Services & Resources Association LAMP Ask Community Health Center Latino-Canadian Community Association of Scarborough Lawrence Heights Community Health Center Le Regroupment de Femmes Immigrantes Francophone

50 Page 50 Legal Aid Ontario Madina Mosque Madison Community Services Madison House Matthew House Maytree Foundation Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support Mennonite New Life Center Metropolitan Community Church Mount Sinai Hospital, Dept of Psychiatry Multi-cultural Inter-Agency Group of Peel Neighbourhood Legal Services Newcomer Women s Services Toronto North American Muslim Foundation North York Community House OASIS Centre des Femmes ODSP Scarborough Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants Omar Bin Khattab Mosque Ontario Works Offices ON-TRACK for Women Parkdale Community Information Centre Parkdale Community Legal Services Polycultural Immigrant Community Services Red Cross Regent Park Community Health Centre Reh ma Rexdale Women's Centre Riverdale Immigrant Women s Centre Romero House Ryerson University Tri-Mentoring Program Salahadin Islamic Center San Lorenzo Latin American Community Center Scarborough East Ontario Early Years Centre Scarborough Goodwill Scarborough Housing Help Center Scarborough Village Second Base Youth Shelter Seneca College Shelton Institute for Mental Health Sherbourne Health Centre Sick Kids Hospital Sojourn House Sistering Skills for Change Somali Canadian Association of Etobicoke South Asian Family Support Services St. Christopher House St. James Town Library St. Joseph Health Centre Toronto St. Michael's College St. Michael's Hospital St. Paul Trinity Church St. Steven s Community House Tamil Eelam Society of Canada Times Change Women s Employment Service Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Services Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Toronto Family Services Toronto Public Health Toronto Public Library Toronto Rehab Tropicana Community Services Organization University of Toronto Faculty of Social Work War Child Canada Welcome Centre Immigrant Services We Welcome the World Center Peel Wellesley Community Centre West Scarborough Legal Services West Scarborough Neighborhood Center Women's College Hospital Women's Health in Women's Hands Woodgreen Community Centre of Toronto Working Skills Centre Working Women Community Centre YWCA of Greater Toronto YMCA Family and Social Services YMCA Link Assessment Center Yonge Street Mission Youth Employment Services Youthlink Young Diplomats

51 Page 51 DONORS John C Cairns David Robert Schurmann Rosemund R. Delap Susan McGrath John B Dillon Susan M. Beattie Douglas Hay Marco Campana Thelma Howard Angela King Harry Finlay Barb Cloutier Donald C Smith Geraldine Connelly Katharine Mary Thompson Carolyn Archibald Carol Graham Rachelle Sender Carolyn Lemon Marguerite Wales Louise A Mauffette-Leenders Michele Landsberg Rachel C Brown Christian Therialult Humphrey Stead Francoise Cockburn Bill Parsons Stephen Antle Christopher & Colleen Whynot Anthony Luengo Karen Mahoney Haregua Getu Dorothea Crocker Andrew Zarebski Geraldine Sadoway James R. (Rob) & Mrs. Ann Ledwich Philip B Berger Suzanne Dudziak Hilary A MacKenzie Sylvia Fernandez Peter Busby & Dr. KA Gelmon Teresa Dremetsikas Douglas Lehrer Richard Wazana Kathleen Giffin Judith Clark Robert Ferrie Marina Nemat John F Wilson Ibrahim Absiye Catherine Graham Shachin Ghelani Michael Nevin Louis Natale Elizabeth Briemberg Notisha Massaquoi Rosemary Meier Mohan Doss Verna Higgins David F. Duncan Rosi & David Jory Mary Anne Peters Christine Nelson Anna Banerji John Blum Meb Rashid Carol Christensen Steven Theobald Morton Beiser Assefa Noza Donald Payne Olivia Ward Mary Sehl Gail Summers Ida C Henderson Judite Kokis Paul H Reinhardt Rob Jenkins Michael J Jackson Ralph & Nancy Soberano

52 Page 52 Rose Lee Hans BDe Groot Belva Webb David & Frieda Gramit Angela Goyeau James R. Lane Rhoda E Hassmann Robin Pacific Jean Landa Frances Warren Harinarine Lalla Doug & Jane Pritchard James E. McAllister Judith Pilowsky William Clarke Joan Simalchik Raoul Boulakia Ann Harrington Deborah Birkett Edward A. McGivern E.M. Orsten Wendell Block Amber Payie Barrie Gray Peter G. Steven Patrick Hughes Marlinda Freire Elizabeth F. (Beth) Wagschal Margaret W. Feenstra Helen M. G. Murray Thomas Morris Michele O'Keefe Raymond and Anne Morris Philip Gold Marie Truelove Barbara Browne Don Fraser Shilpa Kotecha John & Rosemary Anderson Donna Midanik ZarintajFotouhi FatoumataOngoiba Ghoam AbbasAzadian RickyGoldenberg Pat Runge Kenneth Hanson Shane Toland Barrie Reynolds Michelle Iskander Harvey Fruitman Douglas Wilmot Audrey Kenny Tony & Dorothy Whelan Ashley Walcott Eleanor Colledge David Burt Julie Caron Robert Feinstein Adam Wilson Praveena Soundararajan Zarghoneh Nouri Hamida Noori Chantal Desloges Maurice H. Yeates Fahima Fatah Shaheynoor Talukder Elaine Hick Diane M. Turbide Laurie Malone Deirdre M. Carson David Singh Eric Aagaard Nehal Tolia Lynne Earls Dale Butterill Chris Ann Alvarez Harvinder Luthra Hudson & Irit Furman DianeEnns Aron Zaltz

53 Page 53 CCVT VOLUNTEERS Manya Koopal Julia Olioff Julie Caron Alejandra Espinosa Elham Zureqat Antoni Frolov Nastassia Michael Natalia Guled Sally Ibrahim Ayah Al-Oballi Phoebe Heng Kathleen Keefe Sophie Kassel Ishaan Kappoor Ellen Kert Halla Ahmed Eglantina Bacaj Charles Lawther Jala Rizeq Karen Weinthal Tina Lines Chris Telford Christopher Nabzdyk Lou Natale Trisha Desouza Cameron Bryant Oluwaseun Senbore Dorna Zaboli Iman Dharwish Yohana Solomon Tajana Smith Derek Dempster Stephanie Song Donna Midanik Cameron Ferguson William Sparks Jane Clapp Diviya Lewis Shaheynoor Talukder Asma Nsiri Lisa Miller Carolyn Filteau Kidan Gebremedhin Neveen Zeineldein Janette McCabe Diane Enns Katherine Beattie Leaticia Sanga Dajean Lacasse Jacqueline Elliott Mahboubeh Honarian Ali Faize Fiona Hobler Marcia D souza Lynn Bessoudo Abeer Brki Mohamed Sabih Tanya Delaghe Shaun Pett Nicholas Godfrey Care Roberton Cynthia Stark Sara Takieddin Manisha Sharma Kathleen Easton Seema Das Christine Vu Alves Ane Karine Vajiha Sipra Gregory le Blanc Jacqueline Elliott Aisling O Doherty Nebal Aboumoustafa Fiona Hobler Safa Sidiqqui Sheena Kotecha Abeer Brki Ravi Saral Sarah O sullivan Jasmine Chatcha Abdul Kadir Bafagih Carlos Luis Ibanez Becky Lockert Elizaveta Klimenko Mita Patel Nisreen Al Khatib Lula Kahsay Judy Fe Jose- Larong Sherine Ali Summaya Syed Ayad Hammadi Sarab Taha Ashley Walcott Sherley Jean Baptiste Robert Barrie Reynolds Nisreen Al Khatib Lula Kahsay Judy Fe Jose- Larong Sherine Ali Summaya Syed Ayad Hammadi Sarab Taha Ashley Walcott Sherley Jean Baptiste Robert Barrie Reynolds Luxsiga Sribaskaran Maha Babeker Deanna R. Soloninka Japteg Singh Rebecca Harrison Michael Lawrence Muneera F. Farzath Raoof Fatah Lionel Rafael Wajeeha Rafat Prianka Mazumdar Dey Nadiyah Hussain Yasmynne Hussain Arafat Mustafa Ibrahim Jyane Gotauco Sugunthan Shanmugathasan Manal Azar Narges H.Ibrahim Allison Thompson Neo Tapologo Mohammed Asem Deepana Devada s Shahla Alavi Pauline Lupo Nadia Umadat Manju Areekara Surendran Jehan Ashour Anyi (Annie)Qian Manuel Romero-Araya Mariam Chen Dion Paul Saghana Navaratnam Cynthia Nomanee Isela Martinez (Daniel)Yongsheng Han Elvire Yolande Medna Douglas Srija Rana Gajen Mahendra Pitasanna Shanmugathas Fatema Isam Suha Qutami Shamim Sarang Elelta(Lily)Kahsay Jyane Gotauco Elona Tahiraj Malika Esmail Meseret Gebremeskel Sameh Elgamal Champa Maduranayagam Rene Sugrim Christopher Fakhourie Eric Aagaard Marie Kiluu-Ngila Sriharipala Sundaralingam

54 Page 54 Roselyn Watyema Shatamba Charles Sherene Chen-See Audrey Berend Ashley Manuel Furtado Pooja Kesh Kathleen Dore Ricardo Jreij Kazi Uddin Srija Biswas Karen Dublin Esther Bakaly Hossam Fotouh Megha Agnihotri Izat Pirani Muhammad Jessa Mouna Daoud Cindy S Mc Connell Jules Munana Malathy Veluppillai Manal Gindi Arundhati Dutta Gulshan Jessa Fred Williams Shilpa Kotecha Beulah Allison VOLUNTEERS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK EVENT

55 Page 55 CCVT SUPPORTERS Second Harvest Maple lodge Farms Old Mill Toronto Soulpepper Theatre Stratford Festival Samir Rug FRESH The Walton University of Toronto, Continuing education LUSH Starbucks Francoise Cockburn Art Gallery of Ontario Tarragon Theatre Burdock Hot Docs Documentary Urban Fit Globe Bistro on the Danforth Healing Yoga The Santa Clause Parade University of Toronto, Continuing Education Adelaide Floral

56 Page 56 SOURCE OF FUNDS: GOVERNMENT AND FOUNDATIONS Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Settlement and Integration program Local Immigration Partnership-LIP NHQ United Way of Greater Toronto City of Toronto CSP Investing in Neighborhoods Toronto Urban Health Fund Ministry of Health(LHIN) Ministry of Citizenship and International trade NSP Innovative settlement project Summer Experience Pay Equity Ministry of Children and Youth services United way of Greater Toronto Inner City Health Associates Toronto District School Board Peel District School Board We Welcome the World

57 Page 57 CCVT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES SETTLEMENT SERVICES: employment, housing, language and skills training, social assistance, applications for family reunification, sponsorships, and orientations based on the client s needs are provided to assist in settlement. Volunteers also facilitate the settlement process by providing interpretation, escorting, befriending and English tutoring. MENTAL HEALTH: mutual support groups, crisis intervention, individual and group therapy, coordinated professional services, including legal, medical and social care that provide treatment, documentation and legal support. The use of group therapy assists survivors in learning to cope with the torture experience and transforms it into one that is understood and dealt with. CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAM: individual and family counseling, specialized settlement services for children, crisis intervention, leadership training, civic engagement, homework club, support groups for children, youth and parents, and recreational and empowerment activities that incorporate conflict resolution, summer quest, guitar and piano classes, Youth mentorship, mentoring, peer support and story-telling. LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION AND COMPUTER TRAINING: English as a Second Language courses which are specifically designed to meet the needs of survivors and include a strong life skills component. Classes include all levels of literacy: beginners, intermediate and advanced. Computer courses in Microsoft Office and Windows are provided at introductory and intermediate levels. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM: a Befriending Program that assists survivors in rebuilding their connections to others as well as to the greater community; an ESL Tutoring Program to help students learn and practice their English; and an Escorting and Interpreting for survivors at different appointments (medical, legal, social). More than 200 volunteers assist in all programs of CCVT and hold monthly meetings, usually with a guest speaker. A structured orientation program prepares volunteer befrienders to work with torture survivors within a context of community understanding of global issues. The CCVT Newsletter is sent to all volunteers each month, which provides information on CCVT events, volunteer opportunities and job postings. A volunteer guide has also been prepared. PUBLIC EDUCATION: responds to numerous requests for information, assistance and consultations on torture and the effects of torture as well as regularly producing resource materials. CCVT s semi-annual publication First Light, is produced, which discusses issues related to the CCVT's mandate and ongoing work. INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS: CCVT is associated with a coalition of centres which support victims of organized violence, repression and torture, in exile or in their own countries.

58 Appendix A Page 58

59 Page 59

60 Students participating in the homework club express their gratitude to CCVT volunteers Page 60