Join FOCAS Canada as a volunteer and be a part of transforming lives! By supporting newcomers and refugees, you’ll help create a welcoming community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Whether you’re mentoring, providing essential services, or fostering cultural connections, your time and skills will make a real difference—while gaining valuable experience and joining a network of passionate changemakers.
Our Story
FOCAS Canada was founded with a vision to support newcomers and immigrant communities as they navigate the challenges of settling in Canada. We recognize the importance of culturally responsive and inclusive programs that celebrate diversity while promoting empowerment and belonging. At FOCAS Canada, we are dedicated to providing meaningful opportunities for learning, mentorship, and community connection. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, we help individuals and families build the skills and confidence they need to thrive in their new home.
Over the years, our organization has grown into a trusted hub for people from diverse backgrounds. Our programs—from language classes and tutoring to career guidance, cultural events, and youth mentorship—are designed to promote social, economic, and personal development. FOCAS Canada continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of newcomers and their families with the ongoing support of our volunteers, partners, and donors.
Together, we are building stronger, more inclusive communities where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed.
Who We Are
At FOCAS Canada, we are proud to be an organization led by and for newcomers. The majority of our staff bring a unique blend of international and local education, extensive professional experience, and invaluable life experiences. This combination equips us with the skills, knowledge, and cultural insight necessary to address the challenges newcomers face.
Our services are rooted in this wealth of expertise and dedication, allowing us to provide programs that are not only practical and effective but also deeply empathetic and culturally responsive. Every initiative we undertake reflects our commitment to supporting newcomers in building meaningful, successful, and fulfilling lives in Canada.
Our Team
Bedri Mohammed
Executive Director
Bekele Fufa
Executive Staff
Aliese Sumner
Admin Assistant
Andrea D.
Community Engagement Worker
Josephine Nakato
Board of Directors
The FOCAS Canada Board of Directors is made up of dedicated volunteers who bring a wealth of personal, professional, and lived experiences. As the organization’s primary decision-making body, the Board provides strategic guidance and oversight, ensuring that FOCAS remains true to its mission. Our Board is composed of a diverse group of women and men who reflect the richness of Canadian society. They are deeply committed to working with and alongside racialized immigrant populations who face challenges stemming from social, political, and economic inequities.
Board members have consistently demonstrated a steadfast commitment to a wide range of causes. Their extensive expertise, long-standing dedication, and passion for community-building have been instrumental in positioning FOCAS Canada as a trusted and impactful organization today.
Directors
Bedri Mohammed
Executive Director
Barbara Nichols
Director
Abdurahman Rudwan
Director
Umer Taha
Treasurer
Yvonne Scherban
Secretary
Areero Jatani
Chairman
Our Impact
refugees sponsored
food hampers distributed
children received Chromebooks for learning
Get Involved
Volunteer
Donate
Make a lasting impact by donating to FOCAS Canada! Your support helps provide essential services, employment assistance, language training, and cultural programs for newcomers and refugees, empowering them to build a brighter future in Canada. Every contribution brings us closer to a more inclusive, supportive community—where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.