Impakt Foundation For Social Change

04/10/2025

Today we want to look back at a special moment for our 2024 Family of Friends participants! Gathering in unity and gratitude, we brought together participants from various cultural backgrounds to dine at Lalibela Cuisine.

At this Ethiopian restaurant, we came together to share a dish called Mahberawi, meaning "diverse" or "variety" in Amharic. Alongside this, we celebrated the rich tradition of the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony, a powerful symbol of community, connection, and cultural exchange. Through these shared experiences, we embraced courage, motivation, love, and acceptance—values that unite us all in our mission. While many of us were unfamiliar with the dish and the coffee-making tradition, it was the spirit of togetherness and mutual support that truly made the experience meaningful. At Impakt Foundation, we are more than just a community—we are a family, building bridges through food, culture, and shared purpose.

Donate through this link to support more moments like this for newcomers in Toronto: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/4fb3c5fe-2000-42e1-9d9e-85923be5cf34

03/05/2025

More than 35% of refugees in Canada struggle to access mental health services. Many face long waitlists, language barriers, or a lack of culturally responsive care.

Without support, trauma and isolation take hold.

Our Shelter Hub will provide a space for connection, healing, and community support—right where refugees live.

We cannot do this alone. Your support will ensure that newcomers receive the care and community they need.

Give today. https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/4fb3c5fe-2000-42e1-9d9e-85923be5cf34

02/11/2025

We want to take this day to thank our incredible pro-bono partners!

Through the gracious, dedicated, and talented folks from both Ghost Bureau Inc. and Pigeon Brands, these partners have elevated our impact and the ability for us to effectively communicate newcomer success stories that deserve to be told.

In recognition of their amazing work we have gifted paintings to both Ghost Bureau Inc. and Pigeon Brands which were created by Fikru Kahsay, an Ethiopian artist and refugee in Toronto who has participated and benefitted from Impakt Foundation programming! Fikru's paintings represent the complex journey of a newcomer in Canada, drawing from his own cultural symbolism as well as imagery of his new home.

Thank you again, and here's to continued collaboration for social change!

To see more of Fikru's artwork visit https://www.impaktfoundation.ca/fikru-kebede-artworks

02/10/2025

Creating Impact through Partnerships: Our Collaboration with IKEA GTA

Last week, the Impakt Foundation was invited to participate in an Evolve Workshop hosted by IKEA North York, part of our ongoing collaboration with IKEA locations across the GTA. This incredible workshop, led by IKEA's HR team, provided our refugee clients with valuable professional development and growth opportunities.

For some of the refugees attending, it was their first-ever visit to an IKEA. They were amazed by the warm, inclusive atmosphere and the kindness shown by the team. IKEA went above and beyond by privately catering for the event and being flexible to meet the unique needs of our clients—small actions that made a world of difference.

This partnership with IKEA means so much to us. In today’s challenging world, where many companies are scaling back on their DEI commitments and focusing solely on financial survival, IKEA stands out. They don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—they live it.

They have shown a genuine commitment to empowering marginalized communities and creating opportunities for all, leading by example in the business world. Their partnership strengthens our mission to support refugees and newcomers, helping them build pathways to long-term success and belonging.

To IKEA: thank you for your trust, your heart, and your continued dedication to making a difference. It is partnerships like this that inspire hope and remind us what is possible when business and community come together.

01/29/2025

In the aftermath of the devastating Holocaust, a glimmer of hope emerged for approximately 2,500 tailors and their families in 1948. This program, the Tailor Project, filled a labour shortage in the garment industry with displaced persons from Europe, allowing them to start fresh in Canada and build a new life for themselves.

In honour of this week's International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we've put together a special video on the significance and legacy of this program, as well as the continuation of the principles of the Tailor Project into Impakt Foundation today.

As an organization, we have been inspired since our inception to carry on this mission by providing innovative programming for refugees who desperately need support. Though nearly 80 years apart, the insights from Tailor Project survivors and from present-day refugees are fascinatingly similar - belonging and community are essential to surviving and finding a meaningful life as a newcomer! These are exactly the qualities which we work to place at the core of all our programming.

In the aftermath of the devastating Holocaust, a glimmer of hope emerged for approximately 2,500 tailors and their families in 1948. This program, the Tailor...

01/09/2025

A recent CBC-commissioned survey has reported that Canada has the highest educated but least productive workforce in the G7. Why? Because highly skilled and certified newcomers are discouraged and prevented from practicing their trade.

This blatant discrimination is why we work so hard to support refugees and immigrants, giving them the tools to build a meaningful life in Canada and to continue working in the industries they love. As we enter 2025, we want to reiterate and emphasize the enormous value which newcomers bring to Canada.

If you want to see both newcomers and Canada succeed, consider donating and supporting our programs!

Welcome to the Donation Page for the Impakt Foundation for Social Change! We foster meaningful partnerships and co-create services with newcomers, ensuring their voices shape their integration journey. Together, we're simplifying integration into Canada, fostering pathways to meaningful opportunitie...

12/20/2024

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for the Expressions of Belonging event!

We were honored to showcase the incredible talents of refugee and newcomer artists , .art , .mejo , and Nargis. Their art reflects resilience, creativity, and powerful stories of migration. If you were inspired, we encourage you to support them by purchasing their beautiful pieces!

A special shoutout to Felix and Abbey, who shared their personal journeys, and to and for the delicious food and desserts that brought so much warmth to the evening.

Your support means the world to us and helps fuel our mission to empower refugees and newcomers. Whether you attended, donated, or spread the word, thank you for being part of the Impakt family.

Missed the event but want to help? Donations made until December 31st will go 100% toward our programming. Donate through the link in our bio and let’s keep making a difference together!
💡 Donate, volunteer, or connect us with potential partners, every little bit counts.

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12/20/2024

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for the Expressions of Belonging event!

We were honored to showcase the incredible talents of refugee and newcomer artists , .art , .mejo , and Nargis. Their art reflects resilience, creativity, and powerful stories of migration. If you were inspired, we encourage you to support them by purchasing their beautiful pieces!

A special shoutout to Felix and Abbey, who shared their personal journeys, and to and for the delicious food and desserts that brought so much warmth to the evening.

Your support means the world to us and helps fuel our mission to empower refugees and newcomers. Whether you attended, donated, or spread the word, thank you for being part of the Impakt family.

Missed the event but want to help? Donations made until December 31st will go 100% toward our programming. Donate through the link in our bio and let’s keep making a difference together!
💡 Donate, volunteer, or connect us with potential partners, every little bit counts.

12/13/2024

Thank You, Trails Youth Initiatives!

Today we want to thank our wonderful partners at Trails Youth Initiatives, Melissa and her whole team, for their dedication to empowering newcomer families. Through outdoor adventures, mentorship, and community-building activities, you’ve provided life-changing experiences for our clients.

Your work reminds us of the healing power of nature and the strength found in community. Together, we’re breaking barriers and creating opportunities for connection and growth. Thank you for being part of our journey!

12/11/2024

Thank You, Ghost Bureau Content Services!

Today, we express our deepest gratitude to Ghost Bureau for capturing the essence of our mission. Through your stunning photography and videography, you’ve brought our programs to life, highlighting the resilience and strength of our clients.

Your work doesn’t just tell our story—it amplifies the voices of newcomers and refugees, fostering empathy and understanding. Thank you for shining a light on the incredible journeys and achievements within our community! 📷❤️

12/09/2024

Thank You, Pigeon Brands!

We want to give a huge shout-out to our partners at Pigeon Brands for their incredible work in helping us rebrand and redefine our brand story. Your creative expertise and deep understanding of our mission have been invaluable.

Thanks to your support, we’re not just changing our image—we’re telling our story in a way that resonates with the communities we serve. This rebrand marks a new chapter, and we couldn’t be more excited to step into it with you by our side!