Nazish Tayab, the dedicated Executive Director of Sakeenah Canada, is spearheading a vital mission to provide support and refuge to Muslim women and children across Canada. Established in 2018, Sakeenah Canada operates nine transitional shelters, offering culturally sensitive services to those facing domestic violence and homelessness. With a comprehensive range of programs, including mental health therapy, child and youth initiatives, and anti-human trafficking efforts, Sakeenah Canada stands as a beacon of hope for marginalized communities.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Sakeenah Canada is a national charitable organization that operates transitional shelters for Muslim women and children across Canada. Since our inception in 2018, our services have expanded to include mental health therapy and counselling, child and youth programming, a food program to help combat food insecurity, an anti-human trafficking program, and foster care. Sakeenah Canada currently operates 9 homes for Muslim women and children across Canada, which includes shelters in Toronto, Brampton, London, Montréal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Regina, and St. John’s; and a long-term housing project in Windsor.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Sakeenah was founded in response to a gap in culturally and religiously sensitive services available for Muslim women and children facing domestic violence and homelessness.
When did you start/join it?
I joined Sakeenah in 2019 5. What made you want to get involved? I started as a volunteer first because I wanted to help the Muslim community and give back
What was the situation like when you started?
When I first started working at Sakeenah, we had 1 transitional home open where I worked as a House Manager and Caseworker. Shortly after, the pandemic hit and we were setting up our second location in Brampton. Our call volume increased by 700% during the pandemic and the need for our services quickly increased.
How has it changed since?
The need for our services has grown since. We now operate 9 transitional homes across Canada and have served over 17,000 clients since inception. We have expanded our programming since to include free mental health therapy, remote casework, a food program called the People’s Market, Child and Youth programming, Anti-Human Trafficking program and a foster care agency.
What more needs to be done?
Education and prevention measures on domestic violence.
How can our readers help?
You can support our work by sharing in your networks and donating to us here!
Do you have any events coming up?
Not at the moment, but you can follow us on socials to keep up to date with any upcoming events!
Where can we follow you?
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PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
SMILE Canada is a charity that supports racialized children and youth with disabilities and their families. They are a partner of ours and we work closely with them to serve the community.
