Student Award Recipients
Congratulations to the 2023-24 student award and bursary recipients in the School of Social Work.
Bachelor of Social Work Awards
Shirin Naghizadeh
Shirin Naghizadeh is a fourth-year student who is completing a psychology minor. They are passionate about mental health, accessibility and intersectionality. They are an advocate for therapeutic practices that incorporate anti-oppressive methodologies which centre the service user. Shirin has demonstrated their passions for counselling and advocacy through placement as a psychogeriatric case manager with LOFT Community Services and as a campaign organizer for Justice for Workers. They value the right to equitable work and have been campaigning and applying for approval to create the Student & Workers Alliance club at TMU. Shirin graduated from Humber College with a certificate in advanced crisis interventions and counselling and hopes to pursue a master’s degree in counselling psychology and psychotherapy. As a racialized person, they strive to become a psychotherapist who addresses accessibility barriers such as cost, representation and stigmatization.
Shafia Ahmed
Shafia Ahmed is a fourth-year student. In Shafia’s third-year placement with the Teri Project, she had the opportunity to work within interdisciplinary teams in two long-term care homes where she supported staff in the facilitation of group activities and recreational programming for residents, and managed resident care. She gained valuable experience using trauma-centred relational care principles and emerged from this placement with an appreciation for practice rooted in an ethics of care and love. Shafia is currently completing her fourth-year placement with Toronto Neighbourhood Centres. There, she works on research related to participatory budgeting, participatory governance, and is developing procedures to ensure that adequate and representative community consultation occurs during municipal decision-making processes and policy development. Shafia hopes to continue expanding her competency in relational care work and contribute to the development of accessible and equitable systems of social care in Canada.
Candice Cassano
Candice Cassano is a fourth-year student. She is passionate about combating gender-based violence and her volunteer experience attests to this. She has held roles at the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape, Kids Help Phone’s crisis line, and TMU’s Consent Action Team. She is a registered social service worker and has worked across diverse social service settings, including violence-against-women and hotel shelters, as well as in food security programming and community research. For the past two years Candice has been employed as an overdose prevention support worker at her local community health centre. At the centre, she hosts a monthly gathering with her colleagues that brings together harm reduction workers, peers and allies across the GTA. After graduating, she hopes to develop harm reduction-based services with and for mothers who use drugs with a focus on maintaining family unification.
Doga Koroglu
Doga is a fourth-year student who is deeply passionate about volunteering and actively participating in her community. She has been volunteering as a mentor at SickKids Hospital over the past six years. Doga takes pride in her role as a mentor as she meets with more childhood cancer patients and their families every year. Doga’s own experience with childhood cancer continues to inspire her work.
Laurence Price
Laurence Price is a third-year student who describes himself as conscientious, dedicated and determined. In pursuit of his career in social work, Laurence has volunteered for various causes and organizations, demonstrating his passion and commitment to community service and social justice. Among these, he has made significant contributions to the Reena Foundation which supports individuals with developmental disabilities, further demonstrating his empathy and dedication to helping those in need.
Merve Yalcin
Merve Yalcin is a third-year student. She is passionate about mental health awareness and is working towards completing a minor in psychology. She continues to serve as a senior peer mentor for the Tri-Mentoring Program, which is focused on supporting first-year students with their transition into university. She is currently completing her placement at MIAG (Multicultural Inclusion to Achieve Growth) Centre for Diverse Women and Families. Merve is actively working in her community to foster social inclusion and empowerment.
Sumaiya Malam
Sumaiya Malam is a third-year student who is dedicated to community service and mental health advocacy. Deeply involved with her local mosque, Sumaiya has been a pivotal figure in fostering community engagement and support, particularly in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. Her current role at a homeless shelter demonstrates her commitment to social justice and her hands-on approach to social work. Sumaiya’s previous placement at a long-term care home further highlights her commitment to foster empathy and connect with individuals from all walks of life. As a mental health advocate, she has been instrumental in raising awareness and providing support within her community, aligning her efforts with the School of Social Work’s mission to promote inclusive and compassionate social practices.
Tuhr Merchant
Tuhr is a South Asian, Muslim woman who has been an active and passionate member of her community. Through her various leadership roles over the course of her life, she has fostered a sense of pride and responsibility for her community which is reflected through her involvement. She considers herself a lifelong volunteer, and her roles have included previous experience in leadership positions at her local mosque. As well, she completed her third-year placement with the Teri Project. She is currently the chair of TMU’s Ismaili Muslim Student Association and she is completing her fourth-year placement at The Dam, a youth drop-in centre in Mississauga. Tuhr is committed to community work and she hopes to carry that passion into her future social work practice.
Jesse Wilson
Jesse is a fourth-year student completing an Indigenous knowledges and experiences certificate. He is the father of five children who have been instrumental in shaping him as a human being every day. He is currently the director of LoveCry, a non-profit that serves youth and their families with the goal to end abuse and ultimately, homelessness. He has created a partnership with the BGC Toronto Kiwanis in Regent Park to support young children and youth. Jesse struggles with mental health and uses mindfulness practices to overcome challenges and nurture a holistic relationship with himself in all positive and negative facets. Practices like yoga and meditation support and provide space to address the negative within, cultivating unconditional love, which is a key component needed for self-determination.
Tamara Hughes
Tamara holds over 16 years of experience in mental health. She draws inspiration from personal and professional connections with individuals with intellectual disabilities in her work. Her experiences reveal an understanding of the unique challenges faced by individuals of all ages and backgrounds, showcasing adaptability and a commitment to inclusivity through collaboration. Tamara is committed to enhancing the well-being of diverse populations and advocating for social justice. She actively creates inclusive environments and has developed tailored care plans, facilitated family involvement, and regularly advocated for her clients. Through challenging injustices, training others, and organizing inclusive activities, Tamara exemplifies a holistic commitment to bridging the gap between policy and practice, which underscores the interconnected nature of inclusion and social justice.
Nuzhat Patel
Nuzhat is a third-year student with a minor in criminology. She is also a dedicated residential counsellor and an active community volunteer. In her counselling role, Nuzhat provides essential support and guidance to individuals, fostering a safe and nurturing environment. Through volunteering, Nuzhat is deeply involved in various community initiatives with a particular focus on mental health and youth mentorship. Nuzhat’s commitment to social justice and mental health advocacy drives her to address systemic issues through community-based interventions. Her academic journey in social work and criminology fuels her ambition to create more inclusive and effective social services. Nuzhat plans to further this mission by pursuing a master’s degree in social work, intending to deepen her knowledge and skills to make an even greater impact. Her approach to creating positive change is fundamentally based on her belief in the transformative power of empathy and community involvement.
Khadija Hassan
Khadija is currently a third-year student and completing a double minor in French and criminology. She is driven by a genuine desire to support her community. She considers herself compassionate, empathetic, and resilient; qualities that fuel her passion for social work and advocacy. Khadija channels her energy into creating a community initiative that is specifically designed for Black Muslim women in Toronto, providing them with essential resources and safe spaces for growth and empowerment. Beyond her studies, Khadija has volunteered with the Together Project, which aids refugees in their integration into Canadian society. She also works as an outreach counsellor at the Horn of Africa Seniors Association of Ontario, where she helps seniors find resources in their community and creates spaces for them to have a social network where they engage in meaningful activities. After graduating from TMU, Khadija hopes to continue her education with an MSW, and work in individual counselling to support members of the Muslim community by providing mental health counselling that is religiously aligned. She also aspires to become a licensed clinical social worker, specializing in providing tailored therapeutic interventions that integrate Islamic principles.
Zintiat Kolly
Zintiat Kolly is a third-year advanced-standing student. She holds a diploma from Durham College where she graduated with honours. Zintiat is an avid volunteer and loves to support her community. She loves to volunteer her time, money and skills. Zintiat has volunteered for many organizations including Islamic Relief Canada and Future Black Female. Zintiat is devoted to empowering others around her by spreading knowledge and getting involved in her community. She uses her voice to share more about equality, social justice and immigration, in particular.
Jevon Grant
While Jevon often questions why he chose to pursue the path of a social worker instead of engineering, he is reminded of his own turbulent struggles as a teen and young adult, which underscore his choice. He has long worked in social services, with populations ranging from neurodivergent children with unique challenges to recently incarcerated youth. He currently has a passion advocating for affordable housing in Toronto and works as a street outreach worker. His lifelong dream is the establishment of free, multidisciplinary art workspaces in libraries across marginalized neighbourhoods in the GTA.
Amirah Said
Amirah Said is a third-year student completing a minor in criminology. Her journey in this field has been deeply influenced by hands-on experience as a volunteer personal support worker (PSW). During her time volunteering with PSW workers, she had the privilege of working closely with elderly individuals facing the challenges of dementia. This experience was transformative, shaping her understanding of the unique needs of this population and solidifying her passion for providing compassionate and dignified care. In her role as a volunteer PSW, she actively contributed to the development and implementation of personalized care plans, focusing on enhancing the quality of life for each individual under her care. This hands-on experience equipped her with valuable insights into the day-to-day realities of those living with dementia, fostering a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to promoting their well-being.
Sevinder Kaur Sarwara
Sevinder Kaur Sarwara is a third-year student. She graduated from Sheridan College’s social service worker diploma program with high honours. She is a registered social service worker who has worked in long-term care facilities and non-profit organizations as a resident and family experience coordinator, and case manager (for geriatrics) respectively. Sevinder is passionate about supporting and empowering vulnerable populations with her knowledge and experience. She looks forward to completing her BSW, followed by an MSW, and hopes to pursue a future in the social work field.
Lauren Fields
Lauren is a fourth-year student with a minor in psychology. Lauren holds an undergraduate degree in the arts, and hopes to continue her education in pursuit of a master’s degree in social work. During her time at TMU, Lauren led a team of peer-learning facilitators at the academic support centre within the Faculty of Community Services. Lauren aims to combine the skills from both of her university disciplines in her future career as a social worker.
Lareinea Ryan
Lareinea Ryan is an MSW student. She has participated in various community work and activities, such as volunteering at a local food bank, mentoring at-risk youth, and organizing fundraising events for social justice causes. She is passionate about empowering marginalized populations, promoting human rights, and advocating for social change. She hopes to continue learning from her peers and professors, and to contribute to the field of social work with her earned skills and knowledge.
Selena Capone
Selena is a second-year student and registered social service worker who holds a passion for empowering individuals and advocating for social justice. She is committed to fostering positive change within society through her work as a behaviour therapist and hopes to further her career through her education at TMU with plans to become a board-certified behavioural analyst. Selena has also volunteered with Armagh House, a transitional crisis shelter working with abused women and their children.
Tashi Wangmo
Tashi is a second-year student. She is committed to advocating for accessible and culturally sensitive mental health services for newcomers. Drawing from her own experience as a newcomer, she observed the unmet need for mental health care among newcomers and immigrants. She experienced and identified how the challenges of separation from family and homeland significantly impact newcomer mental health and well-being. However, due to a convergence of barriers rooted in their social status and cultural heritage, many often face barriers in accessing the appropriate mental health support. Hence, she is determined to leverage her studies at TMU to equip herself with the requisite knowledge and practical insights to address these issues within the context of newcomers and immigrants.