Your role in it:
Jamii's impact is the results of hundreds of people coming together to shape it the way it is.
Here are a few stories of people who have shaped the organization and played a role with Jamii through the years.
By Huda - reflecting on Laini & Photo exhibit
A Laini youth
"Curating this exhibit opened my eyes because I am only 11yrs old and I am creating something with other great women. I have always wanted to be a basketball player but people said I can’t because I am a girl, but now I realize that even if I am a girl, I can still do anything I want.” - Huda, youth curator
Zoie Browne
First Project Coordinator
Zoie, through a partnership with CORPUS anbd support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, was Jamii's first Project Coordinator. Much beyond her contribution in this role, Zoie, who is "born and raised" offered Jamii her insight as a local and shared her connections to the community. Some people who were involved through Zoie about 10 years ago, are still involved with Jamii. Zoie's contribution will follow Jamii through the whole journey.
Zoie is now on Jamii's Board of Directors and continue contributing to our success.
Canadian Stage
Partnership with our local theatre
Canadian Stage, The Esplanade’s internationally renowned theatre, and Jamii have joined forces to reinforce our capacity to bring memorable arts experiences in our community. This collaboration has been transformative for Jamii: we simply wouldn’t have been able to produce this amazing range of events without Canadian Stage.
By Andrew - reflecting on "The Wedding"
The Artists
“What a wild project! The editing is crazy, it must have taken an insane amount of planning to coordinate a single consistent shot like that. I absolutely love how it incorporates the full breadth of the Esplanade in every sense - the cast walk the length of the street and engage with all the park areas, all the cultural diversity is so intentionally represented...incredible. Such a beautiful way to collect all the richness of the community! It really feels like a truly global community condensed into a few blocks. The fact you did it (at least) 3 times is nuts. Love it.” - Andrew, audience member
Anhar
A volunteer
In the Summer, in the context of Wayo, our Children's Festival, Jamii was thrilled to work with an amazing team of volunteers. Anhar was one of them: she supported her mother treating little ones to henna designs.
Since Wayo, Anhar has been a part of our two most recent photo exhibits not only taking part in stimulating projects but also accumulating volunteer hours for her résumé as she is anticipating University applications.
TD Canada Trust
Laini Sponsor
TD Ready Commitment trusted Jamii in its capacity to engage young women of our neighbourhood through our Laini initiative. TD invested in Laini and as a result, in 2021, we engaged over 50 young women in creative initiatives.
As a result, Laini participants shared with us:
“When you transition to high school there is no time to do things you like doing so Jamii created a space for that, and to think critically about my own creativity.”
Canada Summer Jobs
The wonderful Project Coordinators
Since 2017, we have been lucky to welcome talented young women with Canada Summer Jobs opportunities: Nadifa Mohamed, Maysam Ghani, Yusra Yacout, Afnan Yakot, Mio Muyoboke, Afsheen Chodwdurry, Mira Ghabiel, Cynthia Cella Russo and Jonelle Sills.
They have contributed to make the Summer seasons a success by bringing new perspectives, fresh ideas, passion and energy. We are so grateful to be able to welcome them into the Jamii family.
All the Freelancers
An expanded Jamii team
There are some very special people who are Jamii’s family and bring the quality of our work to next level. This talented individuals are shaping what Jamii does, what it looks like, how it impact the community and transform our public space. We have grown our Jamii family this year, and we are over the moon to be collaborating with such creative people.
Freelancers who are Stage Managers, Graphic Designers, Tech Assistants, Photographers and as seen in the photo Videographer Ana Higuera.
Thank you for your contribution. It's making Jamii what it is.
Afsheen
A donor
Afsheen has played an important role in Jamii: not only she participated in projects, she was a "Laini" girls, she worked at Jamii, but she also fundraises for the organization knowing that each dollar she donates or she encouraged being donated will go towards free programming for our community.
One of Afsheen's most recent donation was towards our youth run as part of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon virtual race. Dollars raised (about $2000 in total), went towards Laini programming. Afsheen has a huge impact on the organization and we are grateful for her contribution and of so many others.
Geogia Reynolds
Board member
Georgia was there on the very first Jamii performance in 2011 - she ended up being interviewed for a short video we made. The following year, she was participating in a project and was a "sheep" with CORPUS. Since, she joined the Jamii board and shape Jamii through the years with advice. support, care, and passion. Georgia is key in ensuring Jamii is true to its values and mission and continues growing with its community.
By Tanjin - reflecting on Laini
Workshop Facilitators
“I am in awe at how the mentors fostered such rich environments for children and youth in the Esplanade community. All the mentors had their own unique approaches, but there was a common thread of ensuring inclusivity and collaboration. I loved being a part of this ethnographic project; rather than being an observer I felt immersed in each and every program, which goes to show the amazing work the mentors and mentees did to create lifelong memories, all while keeping the pandemic at bay.” - Tanjin Ashraf, Laini Research and Evaluation Lead