Last month we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Clarkson Laureateships at Massey College, where each Laureate chooses a charity to benefit from the monetary portion of the award. Below is a note from each Laureate describing the charity of their choice.
Junior Fellow Thomas Ayouti:
The decision to support The 519’s Food Insecurity Program is driven by the stark reality that, even in Toronto—one of the world’s most affluent cities—significant numbers of people face homelessness and food insecurity. This condition underscores a critical gap in societal support for vulnerable populations, particularly within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The 519, known for its advocacy and inclusive services, addresses this gap through its Food Insecurity Program, which provides essential, nutritious meals to those in need. The program not only meets immediate dietary requirements but also offers a platform for community engagement and support, vital for those marginalized by socio-economic challenges. My support for this initiative is rooted in a recognition of the urgent need for action in a city where wealth and poverty coexist so closely. Contributing to The 519’s efforts aligns with a commitment to practical solutions that address food insecurity, aiming to mitigate the paradox of hunger in an otherwise prosperous urban setting.
Junior Fellow Michael O’Keefe:
I would like to thank Madam Clarkson and Massey College for enabling me to donate this award to Calos Youth Orchestras, Inc., an instrumental music education charity in Newfoundland and Labrador. I have been involved with Calos (formerly the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra) on and off since I was first selected to join the organization as a student musician in 2008. I am currently the vice chair of its board of directors. I have chosen to donate this award to Calos because I am concerned that governments across Canada and beyond do not place enough value on sufficiently funding public music education. Relatedly, a significant number of students seek financial assistance when enrolling in community music education programs, including Calos, and a significant number of students do not have the resources to pursue a music education at all. I am a firm believer that one of the most effective ways we can bring about change in our much too divisive and difficult world is to ensure that no student is denied the opportunity to pursue a music, or arts-based, education; the opportunity to develop the deep listening, critical thinking, empathy, and creativity that the arts – and Calos – can nurture. I hope this award will help ensure that at least one additional student is afforded such an opportunity.
Junior Fellow Sara Maqsood:
I am thrilled to share that the contributions associated with this award will be dedicated to two remarkable organizations: Muslims for Excellence (MAX) and the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF).
Muslims for Excellence (MAX): MAX is a pioneering organization in North America, dedicated to spotlighting and nurturing the exceptional contributions of Muslims in academia, professional sectors, and charitable endeavors. Their unwavering commitment to academic and professional development programs aims to elevate high achievement and celebrate the diverse successes of Muslim individuals. MAX’s endeavors are about fostering a legacy of excellence and empowering future generations to make meaningful, positive contributions to our society.
International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF): In tandem with MAX, it’s an honor to support the International Development and Relief Foundation, IDRF. This Canadian charity empowers the world’s disadvantaged by championing principles of human dignity, self-reliance, and social justice. IDRF’s distinctive approach in providing sustainable development and humanitarian aid, without discrimination, relies on the power of local expertise, collaboration with grassroots organizations, international NGOs, and the strategic utilization of community resources. Supporting IDRF means contributing to their vision of a more equitable and sustainable world, where lives are lived with dignity and equality.
Senior Fellow Dr. Samir Sinha:
I am pleased to donate my $1000 Clarkson Laureateship award to a very worthy non-profit that I have been supporting for some time now called Haven Toronto – a day centre for homeless men, 50 and older located on the East side of downtown Toronto.
There are currently 11,000+ homeless people in Toronto and since 1939, Haven has been a sanctuary open 365 days a year providing amazing supports including healthy meals, access to health and wellness services, warm clothing, and much more for the older men they serve.
2023 was a record year for Haven Toronto in terms of the number of member visits recorded with nearly 110,000 free meals served (breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack) an increase of more than 20% from 2022. Last year, Haven further provided important health supports via their in-house nurse for which demand had increased by 67% over the prior year as well as mental health counselling to its members via a full-time mental health practitioner- reducing the barriers to counselling support for which demand had increased by 157% over the prior year. For many of Haven’s members, its health care and mental health counselling services are their only connections they have to the medical system, and the impacts made are immediate and ongoing.
All this is made possible by the generosity of donors. So, I can assure you that in 2024, this $1000 will be well used.
