​This article is to provide an update about the work of the anti-racism task force. Today marks four of eight weekly meetings for the group. Here you can read bios for the members and review the mandate of the group.

Anti-racism task force mandate

This task force is assembled in response to the Senior Leadership’s request to meet on a short term basis to make recommendations that will promote equity and demonstrate anti-racist practices within Christian Horizons. The group will identify, discuss and make recommendations that impact the people supported, the employees and the organization to create and maintain settings where people feel valued and respected. The task force will write a final report with recommendations at the end of eight weeks – August 2020. We will challenge ourselves to understand and effect change on racist and inequitable practices.

Meet the task force members

Andrea Miller-Ffrench is an Area Manager and also a Workplaces of Belonging Facilitator in the East District. Her life philosophy is “to treat others the way you would want to be treated and with love” as we are all part of the human race.

Dzidra Halar – I am a hard worker but shy at times I am apart of a few Christian Horizons committees like the Retreat committee, Our Voice Matters Toronto. I have won The Excellence in Action award last year. I have been in a few videos for Christian Horizons, I was asked to speak at the Leadership meeting last year.

Julie Presse/Frescura – I am the Recruitment & Development Specialist and a Workplaces of Belonging facilitator for the North District. I am passionate about workplaces where all people feel included and experience dignity, respect and value. Being a member of the Anti-Racism task force enables me to become part of the solution in achieving this goal.

Katelyn Nguyen – My name is Katelyn Nguyen, I am one of the few members at Christian Horizons that participated in the Live in Residential Care Model during the pandemic and currently working as a DSP in the west district. I believe in diversity, equality, and inclusion for all, no matter race, culture, ethnicity, gender, age, orientation or ability we are all one- human race.

Katrina Alemu has served with Christian Horizons for four years, beginning as a Direct Support Professional in the West District and now works at the Waterloo Office as Policy Specialist. She has volunteered internationally with Christian Horizons Global and is also a Workplaces of Belonging facilitator. Katrina is passionate about promoting ally-ship and working with people on what it means to really be an ally to marginalized groups.

Laura Watson has worked for Christian Horizons for 24 years. She is the Director of Recruitment and Retention and a Workplaces of Belonging instructor. She is committed to listening and amplifying the voices of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour who use the services of Christian Horizons or are employed by Christian Horizons.

Laverne Boyce – Central District Workplace Learning Facilitator. I enjoy research, reading and transferring learning through meaningful conversations.

Marirose Bruce serves in the Toronto, York, and Simcoe Communities as a Systems Manager. She also facilitates and teaches the Workplaces of Belonging course. She has been with Christian Horizons for 17 years.

Mojib Ahmad – I am a Pakistani Muslim who was born in Canada. I love everything about my culture, like cooking traditional foods and listening to traditional music. I am an accomplished self-advocate; I speak to DSW students at Algonquin College every year. I am also co-President of the self-advocacy group All Voices Matter.

Nazeem Lahashmi – I’ve been an employee with Christian Horizons for 10 years. I have been a Program Manager for 7 years in many locations throughout Peel and as a temp Area Manager for the Waterloo, Wellington, Niagara and Hamilton areas in 2019. Recently I graduated from Ryerson University with a BA in Arts and a minor degree in Sociology. I am passionate about social justice and equality issues and believe in working from anti-oppressive framework with the goal to improve our stance on anti-racist practices and policies.

Takura Masanganise – I am of African descent. I am a Host Family Services Coordinator for the Guelph-Wellington area and have been with Christian Horizons for nine years now. One of my passions is helping people make positive changes in their lives. I am excited to participate in contributing towards developing a solid Anti-racism framework for our agency.

Additional task force members: Karleigh Warkentin and Joseph Tchamo​