Foundation for a Path Forward

I recently went to an anti-racism workshop and met with the organizer Yusuf Siraj. After the meeting, he sent me some information about his organization that I thought I would share. They are doing some great things and should be supported.  If you want to learn more, go to the Foundation for a Path Forward at www.foundationforapathforward.org. or at their new website: https://www.foundation4ward.org/ 

We hope this email finds you well! My colleague Tariq Tyab and I wanted to take this opportunity to share more information about our national nonprofit organization with you. 

Foundation for a Path Forward is the first and only Official Faith Community Convener for anti-racism initiatives in British Columbia, working in partnership with Resilience B.C. under the Office of the Attorney General. Our organization and programs are supported by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and we offer a multi-faceted, province-wide approach to identifying and challenging racism by connecting communities with information, support, and the training they need to respond to, and prevent future incidents of, racism and hate. 

Focus Areas:

• Anti-racism
• Education and Job Support 
• Truth and Reconciliation
• Climate Justice
• Public
• SafetyGender
• Equality
• Youth Empowerment
• Mental Health
• Social
• Technological Innovations
• Refugee Support impact

Since 2020, we have impacted 850,000+ people, online and offline, formed over 200+ organizational relationships, and opened an office in Toronto to take the same Silo-Busting, evidence-based approach pioneered in B.C. across the country. In 2023, we became a fully national organization, with offices opening in Alberta and New Brunswick. 

Previous Events

• Funded by the Government of Canada, Ministry of Canadian Heritage, and Province of B.C.
• Partnership with all levels of government, law enforcement, faith organizations, and community leaders.
• Events reaching an average of 60,0000-100,000+ viewers across social media.
• Events include: Harvest Hate Hackathon, World Environment Day, Stop Asian Hate, International Day for Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia, Transnational Forum on White Supremacist Terrorism, International Youth Day, National Forum Supporting Legislation to Combat Online Hate, National Indigenous Peoples Day, World Refugee Day B.C.

Anti-Racism Roadshow

• Bring together stakeholders from First Nations, faith, and BIPOC communities, Anti-Racism Networks, all levels of government, businesses, and members of the public across B.C. for the Great B.C. Anti-Racism Roadshow.
• Create safe spaces in cafes and other public spaces for people from diverse backgrounds to meet one another on a human level.
• The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding in America has shown that personal engagement with new immigrants, religious minority groups, and refugee groups directly leads to a reduction in negative views and discrimination towards those groups.

Coding in Colour

• Rooted in Cultural Knowledge, Coding in Colour is a free, IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, People of Colour) instructor-led bootcamp that empowers IBPOC youth and women by future-proofing their skills.
• Students graduate as full-stack developers, ready to code for Web 3.0, from a credentialed curriculum with supplemental mentorship, training, and job opportunities through Coding in Colour.
• Our final module, the innovative Web 3.0 Building Blocks course, prepares students for the future of Web 3.0, including Blockchain, Crypto, De-Fi, DAOs, NFTs, and more! 
• Since launching in 2022, we’ve had 60+ equity deserving community members join our Coding in Colour programs.
• With over 100 people signing up for 2023 cohorts. 
• Professional Development & Interfaith Community Safety and Security Committee
• Provide Professional Development courses for law enforcement, social services, government, and companies on anti-racism, Islam 101, and cultural competence.
• Partner with law enforcement, Jewish Federation, BC Muslim Association, Islam Unravelled, SALAM Project, and others to provide: 
• Best Safety Practices for Faith Communities
• Women’s, Safety Training, Communication and Coordination of Threats and Attacks
•  Active Shooter Training, Houses of Worship Security Surveys

Casting back

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest Confucius

My son, who is a musician and I had a conversation about discrimination the other day, which arose when two of the other older musicians who participates in the open mike program that my son goes to talked about his experiences when he first came to Canada in the mid 1950's.The two people one a man and one a woman talked about how they were made fun of, because of their accents, when they arrived at school. The intolerance continued for both until they graduated in the mid 60's. In the conversation with my son, he talked about when he went to school in the mid 80's and that he did not notice any discrimination or racism in his school. I am sure it was there, but I also believe that by the 80's Canada was a more tolerant and open society.


Both my grandparents on my mothers and fathers side (cousins can correct me if I am wrong) were immigrants to Canada, my grandfather on my mothers side was born in Romania and came to Canada when he was 14, my grandmother on my mothers side was also born in Romania and came to Canada via the States when she was 5 or 6.  My fathers parents were both born in the United States.

I remember my mom's cousins having slight accents but did not think too much of this as family is family and people are accepted. A few years ago I learned that when my mother went to high school in Regina from her home town, she was made fun of because of her accent. So she made up her mind to lose the accent and to not speak Romanian again outside of her home. When we were growing up and elder aunts and uncles came over, everyone spoke English. I was not aware it was because of my mom's rule that in her home you only spoke English.

So discrimination that my mom felt when she left the small community of like minded speakers, and he immigrants to Canada felt in the 50's  existed into the 60's. In the 60's Pierre Elliott Trudeau, started to help Canadians reflect  on the fact we were a multicultural nation and we should embrace this ideal.through his policies. His policy of multiculturalism changed the very face of Canada and created a country whose peoples are internationally recognised for their understanding and acceptance of peoples from other countries and cultures. Something I am glad that my son grew up understanding and accepting people for what they do rather than the colour of their skin or their accent.