Monday 3 November 2014
Somali-born Abdirizak Warsame is a long time Multicultural Liaison Officer with the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services, Ottawa’s oldest settlement agency. On Monday 3 November , he was honoured at City Hall, by Crime Prevention Ottawa with a Lifetime Achievement award for his stellar efforts in bridging the gap between immigrant parents and teachers and other school officials. His profile as released by CPO, demonstrates why he is seen as a role model by many in Ottawa’s multicultural community.
Since he arrived in Ottawa in 1989, Abdirizak Warsame has dedicated himself to helping, educating and inspiring youth and newcomers in our community. For years, he worked as a Multicultural Liaison Officer in Ottawa schools – supporting students and families as they integrate into their new environment. In his current role with the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, Abdirizak provides spiritual and emotional support to adults in custody at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre. He is known as an active volunteer and faith leader in the Somali Muslim community. From his work at the Abraar Islamic School to founding the Strathcona Heights Homework Club and supporting the Canadian Somali Mothers’ Association, Abdirizak has remained consistently committed to building a unified, healthy community.
To view the videos of Abdirizak and other CPO award winners, please visit www.crimepreventionottawa.ca or YouTube Channel.