Meet the Team
Nabeel Rahman, B.A.(Hons), M.A., R.S.W.
I am a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers with a Master's in Immigration and Settlement focusing on development of community resources for visible minority and marginalized communities.
My career as a Counsellor, Anger Management Facilitator, Youth Worker, and Community Development Specialist equips me with a combination of non-judgmental and empathy driven focus to develop effective counselling goals. Throughout the course of my experience, I have facilitated over 1000 workshops in community engagement, intercultural understanding, leadership, employment and mental health. Working with visible minorities over 10 years in Toronto, Mississauga, Scarborough, and Oakville endows me with a unique skill set to design culturally sensitive sessions for clients.
I offer counselling services in English, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali.
My lived experience as a racialized minority living with modest means for most of my life has made me understand the systemic marginalization of people of colour and its impact on our day to day lives. Factors well beyond our control often impact our ability to find material success. Such experiences creates challenges that make life overwhelming and creates situations where we experience more failures than wins.
If anything, what I have learned is not to shy away from the realities of life and recognize that material success does not always bring about happiness. Contentment can come about through focusing on our thoughts, feelings and behaviours and advocating for change through collective effort.
My Thesis Paper discussed Immigrant Youth Living in Low Income Neighborhoods and Their Experiences with Community Agencies. I also hold a honours degree in Law and Society from York University and a Law Clerk Diploma from Seneca College. I have been invited as Guest Lecturer for Professional Development courses at George Brown College and Ryerson University.
To get a better idea of my personal journey, check out my Tedx Talk on a sense of belonging for people of colour.
Expertise in Counselling, Stress Management, Research & Strategic Planning
Samina Zubairi, CYW
As an established professional, I am passionate about what I do. Over the past seven years, my experience has included creating, coordinating and delivering over 200 youth programs including life and social skills workshops, leadership training, mentorship workshops, as well as intercultural activities for newcomer youth. I currently work as the Coordinator for the Halton Equity and Diversity Roundtable.
Working with a diverse range of clients including refugees and newcomers, low-income families, at-risk youth, victims of torture and ethno-racial groups and minorities; I have assisted clients through establishing positive relationships while incorporating cultural sensitivity in workshops and programs.
Additionally, I have completed a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy course from the University of Toronto to enhance my ability to assist clients experiencing challenging mental health and socio-economic situations.
I hold a Child and Youth Worker Diploma from Humber College and also a Honours Degree in Sociology from McMaster University. This provides me with the ability to strengthen programs through effective strategies that reduce the disparity between services available and the needs of the community.
Expertise in Workshop Facilitation, Youth Services, Stress Management & Grant Writing
