Empowering Communities, Improving Lives

Providing Newcomers, Youth, and Senior Communities with Comprehensive Settlement and Support Services.

Building Inclusion through

Settlement & Integration

Our mission is to assist newcomers, multi-ethnic communities and vulnerable populations in need, through services and programs that are equitable, culturally responsive, and inclusive.

Settlement Services

Inclusion & Integration

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Senior Programs

Reduce Seniors Stress

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Youth Programs

Investing in Youth

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COVID-19

Updates

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Black Lives Matter

Where SCFS Stands

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French Language Training

If you wish to access French language training and/or French settlement services, please use link below.

Pour des services d’établissement en français et/ou la formation linguistique en français, veuillez contacter.

CESOC Website

SOCIAL INNOVATION

addressing social issues from a new lens

Stop now and plan

Social Enterprise

Together We Can

What is happening at SCFS

Updates

Citizenship Class

Are you on the path to becoming a Canadian citizen and want to extra practice? Every Thursday we are offer a free tutorial class. Look no further and register today by calling the number below.

(613) 240-9468

G1 Clinic for Newcomers

Every Monday (English, Arabic, French)

Somali Centre for Family Services is excited to announce the return of the free G1 clinic for newcomers in the Ottawa area. Registration by phone only. Registration required.

(613) 240-9468

Stay In the Loop!

Special emphasis has been paid to providing services to enhance the community’s social well-being in Canada. Since its inception, the Centre has been delivering meaningful and culturally appropriate services designed to meet the specific needs of our community members.. Join us in enhancing our communities social well-being.

Moussa Cisse

Moussa Cisse is a dedicated student-athlete who balances his academic, athletic, and extracurricular pursuits with ease. Known for his bold and unapologetic voice, Moussa is a natural leader who consistently strives for excellence. His passion for volunteerism and advocacy is demonstrated through his completion of over 100 volunteer hours in his freshman year and his active involvement in organizing and speaking at Ridgemont High School’s Black History Month assembly.

Over the summer, Moussa volunteered as a videographer for SCFS. As he begins the IB program at ÉSP DesLauriers, Moussa is committed to establishing the school’s first Black Student Union, furthering his dedication to creating a positive and inclusive environment.

Momen Ali

Momen Ali is a 3rd-year Computer Systems Engineering student at Carleton University who is passionate about making a difference through innovation. Momen has volunteered extensively, participating in Jaku Konbit's mentorship program and guiding youth in STEM through the Let’s Talk Science initiative.

He also played a vital role in the development of Ridgemont High School’s Black Student Union, promoting inclusivity and engagement. Momen's commitment to innovation and community service showcases his leadership and drive to empower the next generation of leaders.

Olantu Nini

Olantu Nini, a Grade 11 student at Immaculata High School in Ottawa, originally hails from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As Co-president of the Black Student Alliance, Olantu leads impactful initiatives such as the Black History Month Showcase and a multicultural fashion show, fostering diversity and inclusion within her school community.

Olantu’s passion for youth empowerment is evident in her role as a Volunteer Youth Coordinator for the BBYFR project at SCFS, where she organizes workshops and job fairs that benefit her peers. Her commitment to using media for social change led her to create a podcast at Immaculata, where she engages in storytelling and facilitates meaningful conversations on important issues.

Olantu Nini

Olantu Nini is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the vibrant capital city. Currently, a Grade 11 student at Immaculata High School. Alongside her academic pursuits, Olantu serves as one of the co-leads of the black student association at Immaculata. Her passion for inclusivity and fairness led her to join the BBYF committee.

Olantu believes in championing youth empowerment within her community and beyond. Leveraging her leadership role at school, she has worked diligently to foster awareness and facilitate open dialogues, particularly on accessing employment opportunities.

This year, Olantu's focus for the Job Fair was amplifying the voices and experiences of Black students, a cause close to her heart. Beyond her school and BBYF commitments, Olantu indulges in photography and reading, two hobbies that fuel my creativity and curiosity. She is very enthusiastic about engaging in discussions centered on fairness and equality. Through her involvement with BBYF, she aspires to collaborate with like-minded individuals, fostering a thriving community where everyone's unique contributions are valued and respected.

Trisha Islam

Trisha Islam is the Director of All That Kids Can Be at United Way East Ontario (UWEO). Trisha focuses on bringing together people and resources to ensure children, youth, and families are ready for school, have safe and stable housing, and are supported to navigate mental health, substance use, and addictions challenges.

She is a Bangladeshi Muslim immigrant and hopes for communities across East Ontario to be places where children and youth feel safe and seen, can be themselves, and have access to whatever they need to reach their dreams. Trisha brings knowledge and experience from working alongside youth-led collective impact initiatives across Canada, community and international development, social policy, food security, and financial empowerment.

Hedaia Leandre

Hedaia is a 22 year old who is simultaneously studying Business Administration at Algonquin College and Medical Office Assistant at ABM College. She is passionate about community building, social inclusion and finding ways to be sustainable. She is also someone who loves to learn and research about the origins of certain topics. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, dancing and baking sweets.

Hedaia decided to join the Building Black Youth Future Resilience Advisory Committee because she wants to contribute to the knowledge-development of the Black youths in our community. She believes that she will also have the opportunity to learn new skills and meet like-minded folks.

Nicole Greaves

Nicole is a community leader and advocate with a message of collaboration and positive engagement that facilitate individual and community well-being. She is a Holistic Care Consultant and Registered Nurse with many years of experience in the health and wellness sector.

Nicole is intentional about volunteering, mentoring and learning with families, seniors and youths from diverse communities. She is also the founding Director of “Ubuntu ConneXions Community Inc. with the vision of promoting and embodying community unity, collaborative works and caring to make a difference in our lifes’ journey.

She believes that self-care is a necessary investment plan for the mind and body. Her self-care investment portfolio includes rest, physical movement and spending time with family and friends embracing grace and gratitude.

Nicole welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the collective works of the Somali Centre for Family Services’ BBYFR Steering Committee

Ubuntu,

Nicole

Tolorunlogo Akinrinola

Tolorunlogo Akinrinola is a Nigerian-born Canadian passionate about combating racial inequalities through education, art, and community building.

Tolorunlogo is a graduate of the University of Ottawa Masters of Education program, as well as a graduate of the third cohort of the Developing Young Leaders of Tomorrow, Today Black Diplomats Academy (BDA Academy) - where he was selected as a delegate to the United Nations Permanent Forum of People of African Descent. He won the Rising Star award at BDA Academy. Tolorunlogo is also an artist who has had his work featured at the Ottawa Art Gallery and in exhibitions in London and Toronto.

Tolorunlogo is an up-and-coming policy analyst looking to dismantle the School-to-Prison pipeline that disproportionally affects youth of African descent. Currently, he is the Director of Future Paths Network and an Executive Board Member of Minds-On, both grassroots non-profit organizations that aim to shape an equitable future for Black and racialized youth. On his ‘off days’, Tolorunlogo enjoys various hobbies, such as diverse cuisines, music, poetry, writing, origami, basketball, and reading.

Nicole Greaves

Nicole welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the collective works of the Somali Centre for Family Services’ BBYFR Steering Committee

Ubuntu,

Nicole

Anne Musene

Anne L. Musene is a 22 years old and hold an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa. Anne is currently completing my Graduate Certificate in Project Management at Algonquin College. Anne is passionate about topics of economic growth, environmental protection, community building, and social inclusion. In her free time, Anne enjoys researching interesting topics, reading, learning new languages, teaching violin and piano, and co-directing children's music ensembles.

Anne joined the Building Black Youth Future Resilience Advisory Committee to be more involved and contribute to the best of my capacities in our Black youth community. Moreover, it is an excellent opportunity to develop new skills, connect with new people, and build resilience overall. Anne is looking forward to learning more about the BBYFR project and contributing to its evolution.

Ahmed Awad

Ahmed is a 5th year student studying at Western University in the Medical Sciences program. Ahmed is thrilled to be part of the BBYFR Project Advisory Committee and look forward to helping Black youth explore the many opportunities in the STEM fields.

Samira Awad

Samira is currently a fourth-year Science student at the University of Ottawa. Samira is excited to be part of the BBYFR Project Advisory Committee and to be able to help Black youths succeed in their education and secure a job.

Chanda Jones

Chanda Jones is the Founder and CEO of Future Paths Network, a grassroot non-profit dedicated to supporting black youth transitioning from foster care. As an ambassador of the Children's Aid Foundation of Canada, she is an advocate for positive change. Chanda's passion lies in offering mentorship and creating nurturing environments for young individuals in entrepreneurship, entertainment, and culture. As a youth program consultant, she helps organizations achieve effective engagement, contributing to the prosperity of black youth and fostering community connections. Chanda's impactful work centers on bridging pathways to new opportunities and creating a brighter future for the youth she serves.

Empowering Communities, Improving Lives

Building Inclusion through

Settlement & Integration

Settlement Services

Senior Programs

Youth Programs

COVID-19

Black Lives Matter

French Language Training

SOCIAL INNOVATION

addressing social issues from a new lens

What is happening at SCFS

Updates

Citizenship Class

G1 Clinic for Newcomers

Stay In the Loop!

Success!

Head Office

Youth Office

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Moussa Cisse

Momen Ali

Olantu Nini

Olantu Nini

Trisha Islam

Hedaia Leandre

Nicole Greaves

Tolorunlogo Akinrinola

Nicole Greaves

Anne Musene

Ahmed Awad

Samira Awad

Chanda Jones