Programs & Services > Community and Neighbourhood Development > 10th Anniversary
Community and Neighbourhood Development 10th Anniversary
Shokofeh Dilmaghani - CND Community Development Worker
I slept and dreamt
That life was joy,
I awoke and saw,
That life was duty
I acted, and behold
Duty was joy.
Rabindranath Tagore, 19th Century Indian Poet
Shokofeh Dilmaghani, CND Community Development Worker, has worked for much of her 10 years at Family Service Association of Toronto (FSA Toronto) with the Iranian-Canadian community.
Three very successful programs that are very meaningful to Shokofeh exemplify three qualities close to her heart: gender equality, youth development and the importance of showing by example rather than merely being told.
When Shokofeh first started with FSA Toronto, the most important issue identified by a needs assessment study was the lack of Canadian recognition of internationally trained professionals. To tackle and overcome this problem, the former coalition led by FSA Toronto, the Iranian Community Advisory Council "strategized, planned and decided to use the capacities of community to help community," Shokofeh said.
Through a joint effort of employment-related organizations and dedicated individuals, a sector-specific mentorship program was developed, a training manual was created and Iranian professionals who were doing well in their careers were invited to help encourage newcomers. "To see other Iranian professionals, successful and established, speaks volumes."
This innovative program that has assisted many people in finding employment in their professions has also been used as a model for other communities.
In 2003, a committee of business owners, professionals and community workers, including Shokofeh, was formed as an answer to the lack of a dedicated agency for youth in the Iranian-Canadian community. They resolved, without benefit of any funding, to start after-school programs in two schools in York Region and North York to assist the newcomer’s adjustment to Toronto.
Instruction consisted of ESL classes, math tutoring, art, music and sports, the most popular being soccer. Most importantly, the students had a safe place to be themselves and connect with others. One of the school principals, said Shokofeh, "spoke glowingly of the program and saw the great change in the youth."
Shokofeh fondly remembers another project for youth. From 1999-2000, the Boundless outdoor wilderness adventure was conducted specifically for Iranian-Canadian girls so they could experience a new world of possibilities. Shokofeh said, "They grow up with certain notions of who they are and what they can do in all those images they get directly and indirectly."
The beauty of Boundless was that both the men and women who facilitated the group, in a matter of fact way, took on equally challenging roles: white water canoeing, starting a fire and leadership. That demonstrated to the girls that it was a normal way of life. Shokofeh enthused, "Self development from day one to day five, in terms of increased self esteem, confidence and dealing with each other was like night and day." In the encouraging environment that Boundless fostered, the girls learned self-reliance and many willingly took on leadership roles. And in the act of leading, they saw that accepting responsibility was a joy.
by Jane Schmidt
- Kim Hinton - CND Manager
- Michele Lupa - former CND Manager
- Deborah Konecny - Family Are Important Resources Co-ordinator
- Naga Ramalingam - CND Community Development Worker
- Abdirahman Sabriye - Community Development Worker
- Salma Sarour - former Building Bridges Co-ordinator
- Shokofeh Dilmaghani - CND Community Development Worker
- Sophia Ali - GUHD Co-ordinator
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