From Kahweh Wassat to Al-Saha: The Evolution of a Syrian Social Initiative into a Thriving Community HOUSE
From Kahweh Wassat to Al-Saha: The Evolution of a Syrian Social Initiative into a Thriving Community HOUSE
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Celebrating the Acquisition of Our First Funding
Celebrating the Acquisition of Our First Funding
Celebrating a Milestone: Common Ground Community House - Al Saha Secures First Government Funding
Celebrating a Milestone: Common Ground Community House - Al Saha Secures First Government Funding
Celebrating a Milestone: Common Ground Community House - Al Saha Secures First Government Funding
Common Ground Community House - Al Saha, a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting newcomers and new Canadians in shaping their identity as citizens in Canadian society, is proud to announce a significant achievement – the acquisition of our first government funding. This marks a momentous step in the life of our startup organization, as we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of Arab newcomers and refugees of lower socio-economic status in Canada.
Our Vision and Mission
Our mission at Common Ground Community House - Al Saha is to enrich the experiences of newcomers by promoting civic engagement, community participation, economic empowerment, and self-care. We believe that by fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment, we can help newcomers seamlessly integrate into Canadian society while preserving their unique cultural identities.
Project Summary
The funding we have secured will be channeled into an exciting and innovative project. We are planning ten interactive theatre workshops, culminating in a captivating play. This theatrical endeavor will shed light on the challenges faced by Arab newcomers and refugees of lower socio-economic status as they embark on their journey to integrate into Canada. Through the power of storytelling, we hope to initiate meaningful dialogues, raise awareness, and ultimately drive positive change.
A Milestone for a Startup Organization
As a startup organization, receiving our first government grant is a significant achievement. It signifies the trust and belief that stakeholders have in our vision and mission. It is the first concrete and serious step in our journey to create a more inclusive and equitable Canadian society.
Stay Tuned for More Details
In the coming weeks, we will be unveiling more details about this exciting project, including dates, venues, and how you can get involved. We encourage you to follow our social media channels and website for updates. Your support is invaluable as we work towards making a meaningful impact in the lives of newcomers and refugees in Canada.
This milestone is not just a celebration for us but also a promise to the communities we serve – a promise of a brighter, more inclusive future. We look forward to sharing this journey with you and making a real difference together. Thank you for your continued support!
From Kahweh Wassat to Al-Saha: The Evolution of a Syrian Social Initiative into a Thriving Community House
From Kahweh Wassat to Al-Saha: The Evolution of a Syrian Social Initiative into a Thriving Community House
The Evolution of Common Ground Community House: From Syrian Roots to a Welcoming Space for All
Common Ground Community House had humble beginnings as a grassroots social initiative founded by Syrian newcomers in Canada. The intention was simple: to create a social support network amongst ourselves, replacing the networks we had lost when we left home. At the time, neither the organizers nor those being served were ready to let go of their old home. In fact, we clung to it even more now that we were away from it. Our goal was to recreate a sense of home on foreign soil, to reclaim the social settings, music, art, and even the community dialogue skills that we had left behind.
In the early days, our discussions were centered around ourselves, as if there were no "others". It took us a few years to break out of this tightness and start to open up to the multitude of cultures, heritages, and languages around us. We began to realize that there were "others" out there who we could learn from and share our own culture with. We also realized that one way to heal was to engage with those who had not experienced trauma and were settled in their new home.
But how could we bring these diverse communities together? We needed to find a common element, something that would make it easy for people to connect with minimal effort. That's when we decided that having a common language would be a good enough glue to build a wider community. And so, we transformed from Kahweh Wassat, a Syrian cultural space, to Al-Saha, a not-for-profit community house that aims to serve newcomers and new Canadians in building a sustainable future in their new home.
Looking back, we are proud of the journey that Common Ground Community House has taken. From its roots as a small Syrian initiative, it has grown into a welcoming space for all, where people from different backgrounds can come together to learn, share, and build community. Our focus has shifted from being inward-looking to being inclusive, and we are now a thriving hub of cultural exchange, where people from all walks of life can connect and form bonds over a common language and shared experiences.
Despite the challenges we have faced along the way, we remain steadfast in our mission to create a supportive and inclusive community for newcomers and new Canadians. We believe that by bringing people together, we can create a better future for all, and help make Canada a place where everyone can feel at home. Whether you're a Syrian newcomer, or from another culture, we invite you to come and join us, to be a part of our community and to make your own memories here at Common Ground Community House.
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