Toronto Police Project HOPE Supports African Refugees get Settled in the City

By Fred Alvarado
Fred is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

Two years ago, Detective Constable Mustafa Popalzai and Constable Farzad Ghotbi formed Project Hope with the support of 51 Division. Their goal was to collect household items and clothing for the thousands of Afghan refugees that came to the GTA after the Taliban assumed control of the country.

Both officers, refugees to Canada themselves, wanted to meet newcomers to ensure they had essential household items but also advise about the culture and laws of their new home. They started with a truckload of donations of clothes, baby products and toys that they brought to a hotel housing people who left their country with a suitcase, at most.

To date, Project Hope has donated more than $600,000 worth of goods to hundreds of families. One year ago, Project Hope Team expanded their initiative to all newcomers and refugees coming to Canada from all parts of the world.

The latest group that Project Hope is helping with donations is refugees from North Africa who are temporarily housed in a church located in North York. They dropped off almost $40,000 worth of donations and provided information sessions to raise awareness and guide the refugees on their rights and laws in Canada.

“It is extremely important for newcomers and refugees to understand that we are a police service and not a police force! We are here for them and not against them. We are here to guide them, mentor them and help them in any way we can,” said constable Popalzai.

Members at Toronto Police headquarters and 31, 33, 53, 42, 13, 51 and 23 Divisions, along with individual officers, also played a role in assisting the newcomers.

Donations can be dropped off at 53, 51, 43, and 31 divisions.