University alumna recognized for contribution to Toronto’s non-profit sector

Hamdi Jimale is passionate about making a positive impact on her community.

The 21-year-old University of Ontario Institute of Technology Forensic Psychology graduate (class of 2018) has made it her mission to make the City of Toronto more youth-friendly and equitable—and her list of accomplishments is impressive.

In recognition of her efforts, Social Planning Toronto recently presented her with the Frances Lankin Community Service Award (Inspiring Leader category), given annually to an individual who has made a significant, sustained contribution to the non-profit community sector in Toronto.

As Director of Internal Affairs with the Toronto Youth Cabinet (TYC), the official youth advisory body to the City of Toronto, Hamdi supports the development of Cabinet members while overseeing its internal management and strategic vision. She has served with the TYC since May 2016.

From November 2014 to January 2018 she served as Chair of the Parliamentary Debates Competition at the Muslim Interscholastic Tournament (MIST Toronto), a three-day interscholastic tournament that attracts more than 900 high school student participants from across North America. She supported the development of leadership and communication skills in Muslim youth by coaching them in public and persuasive speaking, critical refutation and speech construction.

Hamdi is also one of the Canadian Red Cross’ youngest volunteer Disaster Responders. Since May 2015 she has provided emergency services, post-disaster assistance, referrals, emotional support, and mental health first aid to Greater Toronto Area residents affected by disasters, including local fires and floods. She has also taken on special roles in national disasters, including serving as a caseworker in the 2016 fires in Fort McMurray, Alberta. 

During her time at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Hamdi also served in a number of volunteer roles on campus, including:

• President of Social Sciences and Humanities Student Society (March 2017 to March 2018)
• Executive of the Amnesty International chapter at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Durham College (September 2015 to May 2017) 
• Equity and Wellness Ambassador and Mentor (May 2016 to May 2017)
• Orientation Leader (May to September 2016)
• Research Assistant for Leigh Harkins, PhD, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, Forensic Psychology, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities  (January to September 2017)

Quotes:

“My student leadership experience at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology equipped me with the tools and skills to advocate effectively, practise collaborative governance and ask tough questions. Most importantly, it gave me the responsibility to make positive change and critically reflect on my leadership challenges. Working alongside like-minded peers, and receiving support from a community of Social Science and Humanities faculty members, has challenged me to think big and imagine what could be. While I still have a long way to go, my involvement on campus helped me refine my leadership style to become the leader I want to be.”
-Hamdi Jimale, Forensic Psychology, class of 2018 and Frances Lankin Community Service Award recipient

“Community partners often ask, ‘What does Social Science and Humanities even mean?’ While I am tempted to illuminate our faculty’s unremitting dedication to social justice, progressive interdisciplinary research and experiential learning—I simply talk about Hamdi Jimale. In every way possible, Hamdi encapsulates everything our faculty aspires to be. I am truly humbled by her unwavering poise, intelligence and civic engagement. The best part? Hamdi unconditionally invests herself into the lives of people who could use a gust of wind in their sail. She not only rises to the occasion: she redefines it.”
-Dan Walters, Practicum Co-ordinator, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities

“Congratulations to Hamdi on this well-deserved achievement! Thanks to her outstanding leadership and dedication, she has made a meaningful impact on both her community and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. We wish her every success in the future.”

- Karla Emeno, PhD, Undergraduate Program Director, Forensic Psychology and Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities