Sharry Aiken

We are honoured to share that FCJ Refugee Centre Board of Directors’ President, Sharry Aiken, is the 2025 recipient of the Law Society of Ontario’s (LSO) J. Shirley Denison Award, bestowed annually in recognition of significant contributions to access to justice and/or poverty issues.

“For more than 30 years, Aiken has been a steadfast advocate for human rights and access to justice for the most marginalized members of society — in her scholarship, the classroom, the courtroom, and the public square,” said in a statement Queen’s University, where Aiken is a professor.

“Aiken has made exceptional contributions to advancing social justice, human rights, and access to justice for individuals and communities across Canada throughout her career,” the University added.

Reflecting on this recognition of her work, and quoted by Queen’s University, Aiken stated: “This award is not ‘my’ award. It is rather a testament to all the incredible people, campaigns, and organizations I’ve had the great privilege of working with and supporting over the course of my career.” She also said that she views the award as a testament to her late mother, “who was a fierce and courageous advocate herself and the best possible role model.”

Following is the full announcement of the 2025 J. Shirley Denison award:

Called to the Bar in 1986, Professor Aiken has distinguished herself as an advocate, legal scholar, teacher and community leader.

In the 1990s, she was the director of a legal literacy project in Sioux Lookout and then worked as a staff lawyer in South Etobicoke Legal Services and the Refugee Law Office in Toronto.

In 2002, she joined the Faculty of Law at Queen’s University as a full-time professor. At Queen’s, she has been an award-winning educator as well as the architect and founding academic director of a new graduate diploma in immigration and citizenship law – an innovative online program that has significantly raised the bar on education, skills training and professionalism for immigration consultants.

Professor Aiken’s leadership in the non-profit sector has been transformative, from guiding the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic through organizational change to serving as co-chair of the Equality Rights Program of the Court Challenges Program of Canada to decades of service with the Canadian Council for Refugees, including serving as president and Legal Affairs Committee co-chair.

She is currently president of the FCJ Refugee Centre, a refugee-and migrant-serving agency that was recognized with the City of Toronto Community Champion Award in 2023.

Across their disparate mandates, these organizations share the common goals of making a difference in the lives of equity-seeking individuals while working to amplify and empower marginalized voices and advance systemic change. Professor Aiken’s leadership of these organizations has made a profound difference for the many communities they serve.

Sharry Aiken, who worked closely with late FCJ Refugee Centre co-director Francisco Rico-Martínez on the “Refugee Help in Refugee Hands” workshops, has been a member of the Board of Directors of the FCJ Refugee Centre since 2021 and has served as President since 2023.

Read more: Aiken honoured for access to justice leadership (Queen’s University)

Our 3rd Art Show and Benefit was amazing! Good friends, great art, fantastic music, lots of fun. Thank you everyone for coming, and especially to the artists who made this event possible.

The event, which had its opening night on Refugee Rights Day and the 40th anniversary of the Singh Decision, was also a time to look back on what we have achieved so far, remember what still needs to be done, and recharge our batteries to continue working together.

Gallery (46 pictures):

Join us for the FCJ Refugee Centre’s 3rd Art Show & Benefit, a celebration of creativity, resilience, and community!

This annual event highlights the artistic talents of refugees, precarious migrants, and their allies, offering a space for artists to share their work and stories through various forms of art. It also underscores the importance of refugee protection and advocacy while showcasing the power of artistic expression.

The event will take place on April 4th, a significant date marking Refugee Rights Day in Canada. This day commemorates the landmark 1985 Supreme Court Singh decision, which recognized refugee rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and reaches its 40th anniversary this year. (Learn more about Refugee Rights Day here: CCR Refugee Rights Day.)

Experience this vibrant exhibition featuring visual art and live performances, demonstrating the powerful role of art in advocacy and social change. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase artwork—either support refugee artists by purchasing their artwork or acquiring donated pieces from ally artists—to help fund FCJ Refugee Centre’s core programs.

Event Details

• Dates: April 4-5, 2025
• Location: Album Studios Junction (34 Cawthra Ave, Toronto)
• Tickets: Free, but registration is encouraged!
• Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fcj-refugee-centres-art-show-benefit-opening-ceremony-tickets-1259823609329
• Opening Ceremony: April 4th
• Doors Open: 5:00 PM
• Program Begins: 6:00 PM

Call for artists

Are you a talented refugee with great artistic skills? Do you have art that you would like to share? Do you want a platform that provides you with exposure and the opportunity to network with other artists and people from the community?

Whether it’s a beautiful piece of art or a short poem, you can participate in the FCJ Refugee Centre’s 3rd Art Show & Benefit! Your support will really make a difference.

Take advantage of this amazing opportunity!

To submit your art, please fill in and send the form below before March 21, 2025.

If you need more information please write to resourcedevelopment@fcjrefugeecentre.org.

Our Winter 2025 Newsletter is ready! Have a look and find out everything we’ve been up to over the past few months, as well as some of the upcoming events and workshops you can’t miss!

In this edition you’ll find all the information about our first Winter Fundraising Party, a great event in which we celebrated the Centre’s work and honoured our founder, Loly Rico, for her extraordinary contributions.

Read also about the FCJ Refugee Centre participation in the 2024 Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) Consultation in Ottawa, and about the upcoming Refugee and Immigrant Youth Conference, and don’t miss the pictures from our holiday toys and food drives!

As a part of our Uprooted Junior Program, FCJ Refugee Centre and Musicbox Children’s Charity are offering a new season of free music classes.

Come build musical foundations through fun, educational and engaging activities!

Open to kids 6-12.

• Where:
  In-person at the FCJ Refugee Centre
  208 Oakwood Ave.
  Toronto, ON M6E 2V4
• When:
  Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 pm
  (private lessons)
  This class is now full; new courses will be announced on this website
  Thursdays 4:00-5:00 pm
  (group lessons)
• From January 22 & 23 to April, 2025

Hosted by skilled volunteers that speak several languages:

• Private lessons: English, French, Tagalog, Spanish
• Group lessons: English, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese

For more information, please contact:
uprooted@fcjrefugeecentre.org

On this year’s Giving Tuesday (December 3), help us make the holiday season brighter for the families who need it the most.

Donate non-perishable food at our Holiday Food Drive:

• When: Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, December 1
• Time: 9am to 3pm
• Where: Luciano’s No Frill, 243 Alberta Ave, Toronto, Ontario M6C 3X4

For this Holiday Food Drive, we are raising funds to support 150 families in need. Each $200 donation helps us fill a hamper with food for a family.

You can make your donation here.

Join us in making a difference this Giving Tuesday!

Our Fall 2024 Newsletter is here! Have a look and find out everything we’ve been up to over the past few months, as well as all the upcoming events you can’t miss!

In this edition you’ll find all the information about our first Winter Fundraising Party, a very special event we’re hosting on December 6th, and about another event we have organized to express appreciation for the Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital Grant support.

The newsletter also include articles about our new video series In A Nutshell, and about the 2024 Stay Awake Campaign, by the FCJ Youth Alliance Against Human Trafficking. You’ll find as well information featuring the activities of the The Migrant Women’s Alliance and the Youth Network, a client testimonial, updates on our programs, lots of pictures, and much more.

On December 6, 2024, the FCJ Refugee Centre is hosting its first Winter Fundraising Party, an event that will bring together our community of staff, volunteers, board members, long-time supporters, and neighbors. The event is not just about raising money; it’s about building a stronger, more sustainable future for refugees and newcomers in Canada. “All proceeds from this event will go towards the Loly and Francisco Rico Endowment Fund, which is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of our work, especially in uncertain times,” says Tsering Lhamo, Co-Executive Director of the FCJ Refugee Centre.

The endowment fund will serve as a financial resource to help sustain the Centre’s core programs, which support refugees, immigrants, and other vulnerable communities. “By growing this fund, we will be in a better position to respond to community needs, support our core programs, and manage financial fluctuations in our sector,” says Tsering.

The work of the FCJ Refugee Centre is diverse. Some of the Centre’s core programs include transitional housing, legal assistance for refugees navigating immigration challenges, anti-human trafficking programs, and capacity building for newcomers. Currently, FCJ Refugee Centre have four houses and are providing housing for around 30 to 35 individuals. “Our transitional housing program provides temporary shelter for newly arrived refugees, especially single women and single mothers,” says Tsering.

FCJ Refugee Centre has a protection and immigration program that helps clients with the legal challenges they face, including finding lawyers and filing claims when they are unable to afford legal fees. The Centre has constantly adapted to the evolving needs of the people it serves. As Tsering recalls, FCJ was one of the few organizations that remained open for the majority of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tsering Lhamo, FCJ Refugee Centre’s Co-Executive Director, at the centre’s office. Photo: FCJ Refugee Centre

FCJ Refugee Centre has been vocal in advocating for better shelter options for refugees, especially as the housing crisis in Canada has worsened in recent years. “The lack of shelter space for refugees has been a major challenge in the last two years, and we have responded to the needs of the time and advocated. We’ve seen some positive changes now, and we continue to push for more resources for the needs of newcomers,” says Tsering. But employment is still a major barrier for many of the newcomers.

In addition to financial donations, there are many ways for community members to contribute to FCJ Refugee Centre’s mission. Volunteers, helping with event organization, and monthly donors play a vital role in supporting the Centre’s work year-round.

Tsering believes that every newcomer has a unique strength and resilience that they bring to their new communities, not only through cultural diversity but also in terms of economic contributions to the workforce. “Canada is so diverse, which is something to be celebrated. Refugees also fill the important gaps in the workforce, and they play a role in building a strong and close-knit society.”

Purchase tickets for this event and support our core programs here.