Our London Family
There are many events happening in the London community to honour the Afzaal family and for continuing community healing.
All Londoners are welcome to attend the events.
Please visit the full events listing
Of the many events, these events require registration:
June 7, 2022
Anti-Islamophobia Workshop for All
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Civic Garden Complex at 625 Springbank Drive
Workshop details:
The Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration, Islamic Social Services Association and King’s University College, School of Social Work will be hosting an open conversation and full-day workshop about Islam and Muslims entitled “Islamophobia: Recognize, Resist, Respond.” All are welcome to attend this event, which includes a halal lunch, refreshments and parking.
June 8, 2022
Anti-Islamophobia Workshop for those in the Social Services field
12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m
Register
Anti-Islamophobia Workshop for for Educators
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm
Register
Workshop details:
The Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration, Islamic Social Services Association and King’s University College, School of Social Work will be hosting a sector-specific Anti-Islamophobia Workshop. Registration will be required for this event.
EARLY BIRD TICKETS are now available for the 14th annual Life As a Refugee Conference: Building a Community for the Future.
Solutions to Homelessness – Lunch Talk at Innovation Works
CRHESI members, Dr. Abe Oudshoorn and Jule Ryan spoke to Innovation Works co-tenants during a Brown Bag lunch talk this month on Solutions to Homelessness in London.
Abe’s past clinical work as a community nurse provided the base for his research agenda and desire to work at a higher level, aiming to transform systems to end homelessness in London, Canada and beyond.
Historical context on homelessness:
- Pre WWII, housing instability meant the use of informal dwellings, people built their own shelters, such as shacks (around Carling Heights for example).
- Post WWII, around 1965, public, social housing was introduced.
- Government built and funded the number of units needed to meet the need at that time. These structures built in 1970’s are the same structures still in use in London today.
- Rent was geared to income (30%).
- 1980’s: Housing construction stopped in Canada–Global financial crisis + conservative governments = stop spending
- Abe noted that in the 2006-2015 era, PM Harper flipped this austerity practice and instead encouraged gov spending to stimulate the economy
- Late 1980’s, the first concerns were noted in the House of Parliament about homeless constituents
- 1990’s: Canada builds shelters (such as Salvation Army, Mission Services, domestic violence shelters)
- Abe says: It’s good that we care! But, systemically not good, as shelter living has many deleterious effects and if it is the default solution, people are unwell, unhealthy
- 2004: Centre of Hope is built, which increased beds but they are filled and the need keeps increasing.
- 2008-2016: We introduce the Housing First model: ‘rehouse’ people with supports
- 2016: With a 4.5 % vacancy rate and more new building, 200 people are rehoused and Centre of Hope transitions some space to rental rooms for substance use recovery.
- 2018: We hit a brick wall. The vacancy rate in London dives and capacity for supporting homeless people is maxed out. Add in a depressed housing market in London
- 2021: London is one of the fastest growing communities in Canada which means high competition in the housing market.
There are many, too many stories and examples of people losing their housing due to bad faith evictions.
Remembering the Afzaal Family | Combating Islamaphobia in London
Photo by Masaaki Komori on Unsplash
To honour the lives of the Afzaal family: Yumna Afzaal, 15, Madiha Salman, 44, Talat Afzaal, 74, and Salman Afzaal, 46, there are community events running from June 3-8 in London. CRHESI members, please join the community to support and stand against Islamaphobia in all forms.
“Youth Coalition Combatting Islamophobia is hosting a march on June 5 from Oakridge Secondary School to the London Muslim Mosque, and a vigil on June 6.
The London District Catholic School Board and the Thames Valley District School Board are hosting a walk for students, and the Islamic Social Services Association King’s College and the Muslim Resources Centre for Social Support and Integration are hosting two workshops focused on anti-Islamophobia, on June 7 and 8.
There will also be an art gallery and prayer services, hosted by the London Muslim Mosque.” -CBC reporter James Chaarani
In July 2021, Western University and friends and family of Madiha established the Madiha Salman Memorial Scholarship in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
The scholarship is awarded to a full-time female graduate student enrolled in a Doctoral (PhD) or Masters (MESc) program within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Preference will be given to a student whose research is focused on environmental engineering, and who is able to demonstrate their advocacy towards the inclusion and belonging of all religions and races.