Borderless Voices

In the third episode of the Permission to Explot podcast series, we begin to explore how control is enforced, the way labour exploitation is maintained: threats, deportation fear, blacklist myths, job loss, and immigration consequences. We are joined by migrant worker Kenny, and by Anita Prskalo, Migrant Worker Program Coordinator at Legal Assistance of Windsor (LAW). Permission to Exploit is a special series of the FCJ Refugee Centre's Borderless Voices podcast, that combines lived experienced specialists and professional specialists' insights to examine Canada’s closed work permit system, and the reforms needed to make it safer. Hosted by Diana Caipa, An...

In the second episode of the Permission to Explot podcast series, we explore the structural root: why tying status to an employer creates vulnerability. We are joined by migrant worker Kenny, and by Anita Prskalo, Migrant Worker Program Coordinator at Legal Assistance of Windsor (LAW). Permission to Exploit is a special series of the FCJ Refugee Centre's Borderless Voices podcast, that combines lived experienced specialists and professional specialists' insights to examine Canada’s closed work permit system, and the reforms needed to make it safer. Hosted by Diana Caipa, Anti-Human Trafficking – Migrant Case Coordinator at FCJ Refugee Centre; and Jacob Bass...

In this first episode of the Permission to Explot podcast series, we look at how jobs are sold abroad, misinformation, debt, and power imbalance before arrival. This sets up everything that follows. We are joined by migrant worker Megha, and by Gabriel Allahdua, Outreach Worker and Mobilization Officer with the Association for the Rights of Household and Farm Workers (DTMF). Permission to Exploit is a special series of the FCJ Refugee Centre's Borderless Voices podcast, that combines lived experienced specialists and professional specialists' insights to examine Canada’s closed work permit system, and the reforms needed to make it safer. Ho...

Learn everything about Ride for Refuge, our biggest annual fundraising campaign, and  join us on October 4 for the family-friendly bike/walk event that every year brings the members of our community together. Support the FCJ Refugee Centre and newly arrived refugees in Toronto by donating today or joining our team. 

In this new episode of Borderless Voices we talk with Elisa Ibarra, the coordinator of our Primary Care Clinic, one of the main services that we provide at the FCJ Refugee Centre. Our clinic, funded by Inner City Health Associates (ICHA), is dedicated to providing transitional primary care and psychiatry services to those without insurance (OHIP, IFH), prioritizing the well-being of uprooted people. Find out how it works, how it started, who it is for, why it is such an essential service for the community we serve, and much more.

In this new episode of Borderless Voices we talk with Tracy Muriithi, the coordinator of the project A Roadmap to Justice, about the amazing Refugee and Im/Migrant Youth Conference, which will take place in Toronto this Friday, February 21. This conference will bring together organizations and youth to showcase projects focused on supporting refugee and migrant youth and minors, and it's a fantastic opportunity to connect, share knowledge, and work toward creating a better system for the youth we serve. Listen to this interview to find out all the details, and why it's such an important event.

Today, January 24th, is the United Nations' proclaimed International Day of Education, this year, with the theme AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation. In this new episode of Borderless Voices, we look a little deeper into the experience of access to education of newcomers in Ontario.

On International Migrants Day (December 18), we talk with Jovana Blagovcanin, Anti-Human Trafficking Manager at FCJ Refugee Centre, about the vital role migrants play in our communities, and the ongoing need for solidarity and advocacy. She also talks about the campaign A Day Without Migrants; and the importance of standing with migrants, especially today.

December 10 is Human Rights Day, a date that marks the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948, reminding us that every person is entitled to dignity, equality, and freedom. In this new episode of Borderless Voices, we hear from young individuals about why human rights matter to them, and we also speak with Diana Gallego, Co-Executive Director of the FCJ Refugee Centre, about the recent changes in Canada’s immigration regulations and their impact. 

November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This day is more than just a reminder of the violence women and girls face across the globe; it’s a call to action for us all to take a stand against all forms of gender-based violence. In this new episode of Borderless Voices we talk about it with Chiara Rossi, FCJ Refugee Centre's Anti-Human Trafficking – Women Coordinator.

This holiday season, let's come together to make a difference in the lives of families in need. In this new episode of Borderless Voices, Kelly Arevalo, FCJ Refugee Centre's Food Security Coordinator, talks about our annual Holiday Food Drive, which will take place this weekend (November 30 and December 1, from 9 am to 3 pm), in front of the No Frills closest to our location, at 243 Alberta Ave, in Toronto. As Kelly explains, every contribution matters to bring festive meals and a sense of celebration to vulnerable members of our community.

This holiday season, let's come together to make a difference in the lives of families in need. In this new episode of Borderless Voices, Kelly Arevalo, FCJ Refugee Centre's Food Security Coordinator, talks about our annual Holiday Food Drive, which will take place this weekend (November 30 and December 1, from 9 am to 3 pm), in front of the No Frills closest to our location, at 243 Alberta Ave, in Toronto. As Kelly explains, every contribution matters to bring festive meals and a sense of celebration to vulnerable members of our community.

On the occasion of our upcoming Winter Fundraising Party, this new episode of Borderless Voices features an in-depth interview with our Co-Executive Director Tsering Lhamo. She tells us everything about this special event on December 6, and also give us a great insight of the work we do at the Centre, our core programs, the importance of helping refugees, and her own personal experience. Don't miss it!

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. It is a time to recognize and commemorate the intergenerational harm that residential schools caused to Indigenous families and communities, and to honour those who have been affected by this injustice. A message from Tsering Lhamo, Co-Executive Director of the FCJ Refugee Centre.

We’re happy to announce the launching of a new semester of Uprooted U, a program that targets post-secondary education access for youth and newcomers facing barriers, with a focus on expanding our post-secondary offerings. The program will run four semesters of three months each, starting in October 2024, and covering various topical areas. We tell you everything about it this new episode of Borderless Voices!

Ride for Refuge is almost here, and Cagla and Viktor tell us all about this great event in this new episode of the Borderless Voices podcast. Join us on Obtober 5 for our biggest annual fundraising campaign and support the FCJ Refugee Centre, in a family-friendly bike/walk event that every year brings the members of our community together.

In this new episode of the Borderless Voices podcast, Founder of FCJ Refugee Centre, Loly Rico, talks about the importance and significance of Undocumented Residents Day, which will be officially proclaimed this Tuesday, August 20, by the City of Toronto. The event is hosted by the City of Toronto in partnership with OCASI and FCJ Refugee Centre, and it will include a discussion panel that will explore the realities and contributions of undocumented residents, the need for a broad and inclusive Regularization Program, the rise of anti-immigrant sentiment and the City of Toronto’s Access T.O. policy.

Today we celebrate World Refugee Day, an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on 20 June and shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of those forced to flee. This year, World Refugee Day focuses on solidarity with refugees – for a world where refugees are welcomed.

In this new episode of Borderless Voices, Junru Huang shares her experience as a York University Placement Student with the Youth & Access To Education Programs at FCJ Refugee Centre.

In this new episode of Borderless Voices, Chloe and Luca share their experiences as volunteer instructors in our MusicBox program, which offers free music classes to children between 6 and 12 years old through fun, educational and engaging activities. The program is offered by the FCJ Refugee Centre and Musicbox Children’s Charity, as a part of our Uprooted Junior Program.

Refugee Rights Day is celebrated every year in Canada on April 4th, the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1985 ruling that stated that refugee claimants are entitled to fundamental rights. On this episode of Borderless Voices we talk about the importance of this day with Loly Rico, FCJ Refugee Centre’s Founder.

Krish Thayaland, Manager of Training and Education at Second Harvest, facilitated a great workshop at the FCJ Refugee Centre about food date labelling. In the workshop, organized by our Food Security Program, Thayaland talked about the difference between "best before" and expiration dates, gave us a lot of useful information, and explained that "best before" doesn't mean "bad after", and how understanding that can really help to combat food waste. In this new episode of Borderless Voices he talks a little more about the workshop, and also about the important work carried out by Second Harvest, an organization that has...

The federal government is reimposing visa requirements on Mexican nationals visiting Canada, with new rules that started taking effect on February 29. In this episode of Borderless Voices, FCJ Refugee Centre's Executive Director, Loly Rico, talks about the context of this measure, why it is being adopted now, the impact it will have on the most vulnerable people, and the position of the FCJ Refugee Centre about it.

Loly Rico, FCJ Refugee Centre Executive Director, invites you to join us this Saturday, March 2, for the rally and march that will take place in Toronto on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2024, under the slogan' No one is free until we are all free.' Express your support and solidarity with all oppressed women and with women who live in precarious situations, both in the world and in our own city, right now.

This holiday season, let’s unite as a community to empower families with the joy of a festive dinner and a heartwarming celebration. Join us this weekend for our Food Drive in front of the No Frills closest to our location, at St. Clair and Robina, in Toronto.

Save the date! We are having an Open House on November 22! Join us, visit our new facilities and learn more about all the work we do and our different programs. This is a special occasion for our new neighbors and friends to get to know us better, and for us to thank everyone for their support. Loly Rico, Executive Director of the FCJ Refugee Centre, tells you everything about it on this episode of Borderless Voices.

On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we demand action from our elected officials. We demand that all children are taught the true history of the land upon which we live. We stand in solidarity with and alongside all people across this land in demanding justice, accountability and equity. We are calling for a fair, unbiased justice system which includes reparations from any government and authority involved in violence against racialized communities, particularly black and indigenous communities.This a a day to honour residential school survivors and their families and to remember those that didn't make it.

Join us for a new edition of the Ride for Refuge! This is our biggest annual fundraising campaign, bringing together members of our community to support the FCJ Refugee Centre and help our most vulnerable community members and programs.

The city of Toronto had a historic moment last Thursday, with the official proclamation of August 24th as Undocumented Residents Day.

A message from Diana Gallego, FCJ Refugee Centre Senior Director, on the occasion of World Refugee Day.

Loly Rico, Executive Director of the FCJ Refugee Cente, talks about our annual Street Party, a family event that will take place this coming Saturday, whit lots of activities for children, games, food, music, live performances, piñatas, and much more.

Como parte de su Semana Anual de las Víctimas y Supervivientes, la Red de Lucha contra la Trata de Personas de Toronto acoge este miércoles un foro híbrido para concientizar y abordar las causas profundas del creciente problema de la trata de seres humanos con fines laborales en Canadá. Bajo el título Un llamado a la acción para acabar con

As a part of their annual Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, the Toronto Counter Human Trafficking Network is holding this Wednesday a hybrid forum to raise awareness and address the root causes of the ever growing labour trafficking issue in Canada. Under the title of A Call For Action To End Labour Trafficking: How Collaboration Can Lead to Solutions,

On April 4 we commemorate Refugee Rights Day in Canada. It is an opportunity to bring attention to the advances made in the protection of refugee rights in this country, but also a time to learn about the threats to those rights. This year, the occasion is especially significant, due to the agreement just reached by Canada and the United States to expand the Safe Third Country Agreement, or STCA.

A message from Loly Rico, Executive Director of the FCJ Refugee Centre.

Desde que Qasim Khan asumió la responsabilidad de trabajar como embajador de vacunación para el Centro de Refugio FCJ, hace ya más de un año, se han producido muchos cambios en el sector de la salud, especialmente en lo que respecta a la COVID-19 y sus protocolos. Qasim ha sido testigo de todos estos cambios desde el principio, y nos cuenta su experiencia.

Depuis que Qasim Khan a pris la responsabilité de travailler en tant qu'ambassadeur de la vaccination pour le FCJ Refugee Centre, il y a plus d'un an, de nombreux changements sont intervenus dans le secteur de la santé, notamment en ce qui concerne la COVID-19 et ses protocoles. Qasim a été témoin de tous ces changements depuis le début, et nous raconte son expérience.

Since Qasim Khan took the responsibility of working as a vaccination ambassador for FCJ Refugee Centre, more than a year now, there has been lots of changes in the sector of health, especially regarding COVID and its protocols. He has been the witness of all these changes since the beginning, and shares his experience.