Ayan Yusuf

Facilitator

Ayan Yusuf – Community Worker at Community Action Resource Centre, Mother, Advocacy

My Quote "I want to help stop the bloodshed of young adults in our city by working with them to better understand their situations and gradually get them to on the right path and to stay off the streets."

My name is Ayan Yusuf and I am a single mother of four. I came to Canada when I was 16 so that I could get a good job and raise a family while supporting my relatives back home. I studied in Italy for a few years before moving to Toronto. When I arrived, I continued to excel in my studies and also got married. I had my first son in 1991; he is now a high school graduate pursuing his dreams in college. My second son was born in 1994 followed by my daughter in 1997, and my youngest son in 2004. Their father passed away in July and it has been hard on us ever since. I graduated at Humber College as a Social Services worker. I love being a mother and being able to raise my children so that they are successful and prepared for the future. I was able to share my passion of working with youth to my daughter who is a youth safety leader in our community. I enjoy working with youth because I want to make a difference in their lives and help them succeed by doing what they excel in.

I AM SOCIAL SERVICES WORKER AND COMMUNITY LEADER and have studied Bachelor Honor for Social Worker in Guelph University. I specialize in SOMALI SETTLEMENT and advocate for clients. I am also the Co-Founder of Somali Tenant Associations. I have been volunteering in Toronto Community Housing for the last 24 years.

Helping new immigrants navigate the Canadian System.

I have developed many programs for Somali women, children and youth. For as long as I can remember I have been an active community leader who is always concerned about the youth and how we can invest in them. This has given me the chance to work with youth who live in Toronto Community Housing. Some of the work I am most proud of was with the three youth in my community that won scholarships, each one of them attended Ryerson University to become Doctors. I owe a lot of my accomplishments to those who helped motivate me to become stronger and happier.

My mother has taught me that the focus shouldn't be on where you've been, but on where you're going—and more importantly, where you want to go. I was fortunate enough to have a wonderful life and kids but I still make time to help those who may be in need. I'll never forget when my mother read me a story about a woman who always dedicated her life and time to others, she looked at me and said "she is exactly like you because you Ayan have a good heart." I walked home smiling the whole way, saying over and over to myself, "I am an animator" These are words I never thought I'd be able to hear from my mom. I always appreciate the things I have and always will.

Ayan Yusuf