Who we are

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The Sanctuary Students Solidarity and Support Collective (S4) was formed in the fall of 2018 to address several challenges identified by precarious migrant and newcomer students (Sanctuary Students) at the threshold of post-secondary education in Ontario.

 

Sanctuary Students, for us, are people for whom immigration status and/or settlement stressors act, or have acted, as a barrier to accessing their secondary and post-secondary goals.

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Our main objectives are to support Sanctuary Students with navigating various levels of education in Ontario; and to support programs and institutions to increase equitable access for these populations. As such, the group works to identify and respond to ongoing and emerging barriers that prevent the full and equitable participation of Sanctuary Students in existing educational institutions. Youth participating in the collective have described feeling more connected, supported and equipped with important knowledge and skill-sets. While we continue to grow, we recognize that there is a long road ahead....

  • Increase equitable access to education for sanctuary students in Canada by fostering community-led support, solidarity and capacity building.

  • A world in which immigration status is not a barrier to accessing meaningful and equitable education.

Meet the Team

  • Elizabeth Barrera

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Brantella Williams

    PROJECT COORDINATOR

  • Fatima Mohammed

    PROJECT COORDINATOR

Meet Our Board

  • Vernetta Avril - SHE/HER (CHAIR)

    Vernetta is a Sanctuary Student who is currently completing a BA in Cognitive Neuropsychology at York University Glendon campus as well as a BEd at York's Keele Campus. She holds certificates in Counselling, Community Mental Health and Crisis Intervention and Prevention. Vernetta is an experienced mentor in the York community as a Peer Mentor for first year students and Youth group Counsellor/Mentor in the community at large. She is passionate and enthusiastic about working with and helping individuals with precarious immigration status and effecting meaningful change in their lives. During her spare time, she enjoys reading and exploring nature.

  • Tanya Aberman (SHE/HER)

    Tanya is the coordinator of the Sanctuary Scholars programs at York
    University and Toronto Metropolitan University, programs that provide
    access and support for students who hold precarious immigration status.
    She has also developed, coordinated and taught community and
    university-based education programs for newcomer and migrant students.
    Tanya holds a PhD in Gender Feminist and Women’s Studies from York
    University.

  • Destin Bujang - HE/HIM

    With political unrest in Cameroon, Destin came to Canada in 2012 after graduating in the fields of
    Journalism and Communications. He was a Volunteer at FCJ Refugee Centre where he eventually got hired as Special Events Coordinator and Resource Development Worker. He also worked as the Youth and Arts Program Coordinator of the Centre, creating and developing Community Action Projects for youth with precarious status, most significant, “The Art Between Us” and a collection of Refugee stories in a book Titled “Seeds of Hope: Creating a Future in the Shadows” Also working as the Youth Ambassador for the Canadian Council for refugees, he grew the passion for community work and leadership. He is now a student at York University, majoring in Human Rights and Equity Studies. Destin is the founder of a group in one of Toronto’s priotized neighborhoods called the Black Creek Youth Initiative in the Black Creek - Thrithewe neighborhood. This group engages young people of all ages to be involved in their community, while building connections as well as leadership skills.

  • Janaina Fernandez (SHE/HER)

    Janaina is a passionate advocate for empowering youth, drawing from personal experience as an immigrant to challenge systemic barriers for all young people with precarious immigration status. Committed to access, equity, and inclusion, Janaina strives to create opportunities for every youth to thrive, amplifying marginalized voices and driving meaningful change for all communities.

  • Varka Kalaydzhieva - SHE/HER

    Varka Kalaydzhieva

    Varka is the Project Manager of the Ministry for Social Justice, Peace, and Creation Care with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto. She has a law degree from Bulgaria and a Master in International Law from the University of Montreal. She has worked with international survivors of exploitation and human trafficking and sat on numerous networks to advocate for policy changes on the provincial and federal level.

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  • Yvette Munro - SHE/HER

    Yvette Munro has over 15 years experience working in postsecondary education at various GTA postsecondary education institutions. Since 2018, Yvette has been the Executive Director of the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer and works with all publicly-funded colleges, universities and Indigenous institutes in Ontario to support students seeking to transfer between institutions. Yvette also worked as part of a team, supported by funding from the City of Toronto, on Canada's first bridging program and admissions pathway for students with precarious immigration status to pursue university degree studies at York University.