IDRF (International Development and Relief Foundation)

Every Child Matters. September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day in remembrance of the Indigenous community, their families, the thousands of lives lost, and those who never returned home as a result of the residential school system. We recognize the significance of this day in remembering the history and experiences of Indigenous peoples, the thousands of children who were taken from their families and placed into the residential school system between the 1830s and 1990s. The last of approximately 140 federally run schools closed just 28 years ago, still affecting generations of communities today. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is not meant to be a one-day event. It is an opportunity for all Canadians to acknowledge past injustices and support Indigenous peoples' pursuit of justice and self-determination today. It is our duty to take the time to learn more about Indigenous communities, cultures, and histories to foster an inclusive environment and a path for reconciliation.

Support the Next Generation of Women in Tech: Become a Partner At IDRF, we’re committed to empowering young women across Canada who face barriers to employment. Our Women in Tech initiative helps achieve this by training young women in the skills needed to succeed as Web Developers and Data Scientists. These courses are free to participants, ensuring they can develop employable skills regardless of their socio-economic background. IDRF is now seeking employers to collaborate with us on this critical initiative! If you are a business or employer that could benefit from employing one of our talented young graduates in 2025, we want to hear from you! We are specifically looking for collaboration where businesses will provide our graduates with 12-week internships. These internships will give our graduates valuable industry experience and a pathway to meaningful careers. These women have demonstrated resilience, determination, and a passion for technology, and we are confident they will bring tremendous value to your team! Interested in partnering with us? Please submit a written expression of support by Monday, September 30th to Elyas Burney at [email protected]. We’re excited about the opportunity to work together and make an impact!

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📢 Vancouver! Are you ready to get a head start on your job search journey? Look no further—join IDRF's free Get Job Ready Program from September 27 to September 29, 2024, for an immersive career preparation experience. Sessions, facilitated in English, will be held at Simon Fraser University’s Surrey Campus on the following dates, so mark your calendars! 📅 Friday, September 27, 2024 🕓 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM 📅 Saturday, September 28, 2024 🕓 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM 📅 Sunday, September 29, 2024 🕓 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM You’ll learn valuable skills like networking strategies, LinkedIn profile building, and interview techniques to help you secure your dream job! Plus, if you attend all three sessions, you’ll be eligible for a $125 honorarium. 💼✨ Secure your spot today by visiting gjr.idrf.ca

September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day, and we reflect on the progress made in Guyana through the Suicide Prevention for Gatekeepers Training Program. Guyana faces a severe crisis, with the second-highest suicide rate globally at 40.9 per 100,000 people (WHO, 2021). Economic and social inequalities have exacerbated mental health issues, leading to preventable illnesses. IDRF, with support from Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada, has trained 757 gatekeepers across Guyana to recognize the signs of suicide, intervene in times of crisis, and provide essential support. This training has led to a 50% increase in crisis knowledge and an 85% boost in confidence when handling sensitive situations. From implementing a 5-step Suicide Risk Assessment to focusing on cultural sensitivity, gatekeepers are now equipped with the tools needed to have open conversations and offer support. While today highlights the importance of mental health, our commitment to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and empowering communities in Guyana remains strong every day. To learn more, please visit idrf.ca/spar.

On August 10th 2024 an article was published by the Toronto Sun titled “Ottawa Turns a Blind Eye to Questionable Pro-Palestinian Charities,” written by Warren Kinsella. The article makes serious allegations against IDRF, implying connections to designated entities, which are entirely unfounded, drawing on speculative and inaccurate information from biased sources. These allegations are categorically false. For over 40 years, IDRF has been committed to alleviating poverty, providing humanitarian aid and sustainable development programs, without discrimination, based on the principles of human dignity, self-reliance, and social justice in vulnerable communities across the globe, including Palestine. “Our work in Gaza is about saving lives—providing food, healthcare, education, and shelter to families devastated by conflict. We operate with absolute compliance to Canadian and international laws. To link IDRF to illegal activities is not just false, it’s reckless and harms the very people who rely on our help,” says Mahmood Qasim, CEO of IDRF. This article intentionally misrepresents IDRF’s partnerships with legitimate registered local organizations working tirelessly to get aid to those who need it most, especially women and children. The Toronto Sun’s use of clearly biased anti-Palestinian views to mischaracterize the beneficiaries of humanitarian aid, many of whom are innocent children, is not appropriate journalism expected by a Canadian newspaper. We are exploring all legal avenues to address the defamatory content of this article. IDRF is committed to protecting its reputation and will not tolerate unfounded accusations that jeopardize our work or the people we serve. We reaffirm our commitment to transparency, accountability, and the principles of humanitarian aid, and we will continue to uphold these values. Click here to read more: https://lnkd.in/gGJKdjTS

📢 Hey Calgary and Edmonton! Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Join IDRF’s Get Job Ready Program in Calgary from September 17 to 19, 2024, and in Edmonton from September 20 to 22, 2024, for a comprehensive, hands-on experience that will prepare you for your next big opportunity! Sessions, facilitated in English, will be held at the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta on the following dates: Calgary: 📅 Tuesday, September 17, 2024 🕓 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM 📅 Wednesday, September 18, 2024 🕓 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM 📅 Thursday, September 19, 2024 🕓 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Edmonton: 📅 Friday, September 20, 2024 🕓5:00 PM to 9:00 PM 📅 Saturday, September 21 , 2024 🕓11:00 AM to 2:00 PM 📅 Sunday, September 22, 2024 🕓2:00 PM to 6:00 PM You’ll learn essential skills, including how to build a standout LinkedIn profile, interview techniques to help you land your dream job, and how to network like a pro. Plus, attendees who complete all three sessions will receive a $125 honorarium! Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity! Register now by visiting gjr.idrf.ca🌟

Devastating floods struck Sudan and severely damaged the Arba’at Dam, impacting 20 villages downstream. The floods have affected 317,000 people across 16 states, with 118,000 displaced and thousands of homes destroyed. Public health is at risk with threats of waterborne diseases, respiratory illnesses, and vector-borne diseases, affecting the most vulnerable, particularly children and the elderly. Right now, IDRF is on the ground providing emergency food aid and tents to shelter those in need. For more information on how you can help those who have been affected, please visit idrf.ca/sudan

Are you looking for a flexible role where you can help students tackle their academic challenges? Do you want to leverage your educational network in Halton Hills or Oakville to run impactful educational programs? If this sounds like you, then you are in luck! IDRF is seeking trainers to implement our Licensed2Learn (L2L) peer-to-peer tutoring program in Halton Hills and Oakville. To learn more and apply, please visit L2L.ca/careers today.