Workshop for Syrian refugees

After the youth from our Sankofa Drop-In made some sock monkeys under the expert guidance of Diana Brugos from Operation Sock Monkey, and donated them to CultureLink's Refugee Distribution Centre, we decided to host another sock monkey workshop for the Syrian refugees themselves!



We met up with some of them at one of the hotels in downtown Toronto where they are waiting to be moved into permanent housing. The weather was a tad chilly but the walk to the Lillian H. Smith Library was pleasant.

The women got to work on their toys right away, while the kids got to watch an animated movie and enjoyed a short storytelling session by our youth volunteer Carine.

Another of our youth volunteer, Zahra, took some photos and videos of the event, and helped with interpretation as well.

Thanks to Hazem, Stanley and Lynda, staff of CultureLink; Diana and Tracey, volunteers of Operation Sock Monkey; and Playing for Keeps for making the event possible!

Thanks, also to Lillian H. Smith Toronto Public Library for letting us use the venue for the activities!

IWD Celebration at CultureLink

On Mar 8, CultureLink celebrated International Women's Day with food, music and performances. There was also a cultural costume show.

Nima, Yangchen, Tsungmey, Zomba and Wangmo at the IWD celebration

Some participants wearing the Chinese costume called Cheongsam

Polish dance performance

Fun to get to just hang out!

Kids attending the celebration got to do craft. Our Arabic speaking volunteer read stories to these Syrian refugee children.

Chinese seniors perform a traditional dance about harvesting

Read more about the amazing event here.

A Big Welcome to Syrian Refugees from All of Us!

We are newcomer youths of CultureLink's youth program, and we want to say A BIG WELCOME to our newcomer refugee friends. Here's how: (watch til the end!)



If you wish to help too, please click here (select 3. Refugee Resettlement in the drop bar) or visit
CultureLink.ca for more information!

Crafty Welcome was a Success!

Sankofa Youth invited the public to join us for a crafts session and THIS happened:

#newcomer #youth make #Sockmonkeys with @woollybananas for @CultureLinkTO's #refugeeschildren Thanks @p4keeps pic.twitter.com/xerLgcCiVs

— CultureLink Youth (@CLinkYouth) February 6, 2016

"it gave me hope as what we were doing will be donated to
'New Canadians' or newcomers to this country" - CJ

The completed pieces will be donated to CultureLink's Refugee Distribution Centre. They are still seeking donation. Please click here to see how you can help (select "Refugee Settlement" in the drop-bar).