CBFY’s 2023 Youth Achievement Awards

October 20, 2023 was a night to remember! We celebrated the resilience and achievements of 15 newcomer youth at the Empire Banquet Hall, and each of our inspiring awardees received a scholarship that will help propel them on their educational journeys. We’re so proud of the immigrant youth we serve and the families who have journeyed to Canada in search of a better life. From the inspiring speeches to the amazing entertainment provided by Sand Artist Kelly, Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Society, Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre, and singer Hasan Fawaz, it was an event to remember.

Congratulations to all the winners of the scholarships, and thank you to the many incredible donors who believe in the power of investing in the futures of immigrant and refugee youth.

The 2023 winners and their respective donors were: Chloe Zhu (RBC Foundation), Sophie Chuen (RBC Foundation), Soja Saji (RBC Foundation), Adeeba Sarwar (Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association), Heven Ytbarek (Centre for Newcomers), Fatmeh Al Yahek (CBFY Board of Directors), Fatima Machado (The Ark Foundation), Christel Oguchi (Ivan Mihaljevich), Durdana Arif (Immigrant Services Calgary), Ghazal Panahi (Alberta Educational Centre), Hindolo Jabet (connectFirst Credit Union), Fatema Alsattouf (WOW Bakery), Graça Mbenza (AGA Academy), Sumeyye Torunoglu (Han Corea Restaurant), and Natalina Tesfe (The Immigrant Education Society).

Finally, thank you to the Empire Banquet Hall for providing the venue and food, and to the event’s gold sponsor, Miller Thomson LLP.

Your support truly matters. By attending and donating, you contributed to the empowerment of immigrant and refugee youth and their families in Calgary. Together, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive community!

If you are interested in donating a scholarship for next year’s Youth Achievement Awards, please email cclark@cbfy.ca.