Team Spotlight: Avelia Stewart’s Journey and Contributions to Jumpstart Refugee Talent

Spotlight on Success

At the heart of Jumpstart Refugee Talent is a community of individuals driven by resilience, compassion, and a commitment to empowering newcomers. One such individual is Avelia Stewart, one of Jumpstart’s board members, whose personal journey and professional dedication exemplify the spirit of the organization.  Avelia Stewart is a senior HR and equity strategist with over […]

More Than Job Fillers: The Leadership Potential of Refugees 

More Than Job Fillers: The Leadership Potential of Refugees  “The word refugee is one of the harshest descriptions for a human being ever. Being a refugee means that someone took home away from you and then you became no one. Losing that sense of belonging was the hardest experience of our lives.”  — Tareq Hadhad, […]

Ask Me Anything: Real Advice for Refugee Job Seekers 

Ask Me Anything: Real Advice for Refugee Job Seekers  Recapping Our July AMA Webinar with Insights from Refugee Professionals and Career Coaches  Welcome & Setting the Stage  Our latest Ask Me Anything (AMA) session kicked off with a warm welcome and brief delay due to a guest speaker joining late. Despite the hiccup, the energy […]

New Country, Same Worth: What Refugees Bring Beyond the Resume

The following blog is part of a larger series our interns are producing on topics related to refugees. Each story is taken from their own personal perspective. My father was a medical doctor in Afghanistan for over 25 years. He treated patients in remote provinces and busy hospitals in Kabul. He saved lives. People knew […]

Strength in Every Step: Celebrating World Refugee Day at SITTI Marketplace

Blogs

On Saturday, June 21st, the day after World Refugee Day, Jumpstart Refugee Talent and SITTI Social Enterprise hosted a celebration through a vibrant Refugee Marketplace event. From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., SITTI’s storefront in Mississauga, Ontario, transformed into a space of creativity, resilience, and community connection, showcasing the strength and spirit of refugee entrepreneurs.  […]

Rediscovering Culture as a Third-Generation Immigrant

Mariam Alhashemi a third generation immigrant missing her home

The following blog is part of a larger series our interns and volunteers are producing on topics related to refugees. Each story is taken from their own personal perspective. “L’étranger”; a French word that literally means “stranger,” but in context suggests a foreigner or outsider, someone who does not quite belong. When I first came […]

Education & Social Justice Pathway for Newcomer Refugees

On June 4, 2025, Jumpstart Refugee Talent hosted an informative “Ask Me Anything (AMA)” virtual workshop titled “Pathways to Education & Social Justice for Newcomer Refugees”.  This workshop was designed as an open and inclusive space to help refugees overcome the barriers and challenges they may face when accessing education as newcomers in Canada. With […]

Standing with Refugees: 5 Meaningful Ways You Can Make a Difference

Refugees Giving Back: Community Volunteers in Action

Standing with Refugees: How You Can Make a Difference Today  Every year on World Refugee Day, we are reminded of the strength, courage, and resilience of millions of people who have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. But the truth is, refugees need more than awareness one day a year; they […]