Borderless Voices

In the eighth episode of the 'Permission to Exploit' podcast series, we start talking about how to break the trap. This is where hope enters, but grounded in reality, and it all begins with knowing your rights and options. What workers can actually do? Supports, reporting, community organizations, and the Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers (OWP-VW). We are joined by Karen, who experienced lab...

(See English transcript of this episode the FCJ Refugee Centre website) En el séptimo episodio de la serie 'Permission to Exploit' (Permiso para explotar), el tercero en español, continuamos analizando cómo es el día a día de la explotación laboral. En esta ocasión nos centramos en la seguridad en el trabajo: la salud de los trabajadores, las lesiones a las que se enfrentan, el silencio al que se...

In the sixth episode of the 'Permission to Exploit' podcast series, we begin to explore what exploitation looks like day-to-day, starting with control at work: schedules, unpaid hours, withheld documents, verbal abuse, surveillance and coercion. We are joined by migrant worker Megha, and by Marisa Berry Méndez, Responsable des campagnes, Amnistie internationale Canada francophone. (See transcript...

(See English transcript of this episode the FCJ Refugee Centre website) En el quinto episodio de la serie 'Permission to Exploit' (Permiso para explotar), el segundo en español, seguimos explorando cómo se ejerce el control y cómo se mantiene la explotación laboral, en esta ocasión, a través del aislamiento: la barrera del idioma, las limitaciones de las zonas rurales, la falta de transporte, la f...

(See English transcript of this episode the FCJ Refigee Centre website) En el cuarto episodio de la serie 'Permission to Exploit' ('Permiso para explotar'), el primero en español, seguimos explorando cómo se ejerce el control y cómo se mantiene la explotación laboral, en esta ocasión, a través de la vivienda proporcionada por el empleador: hacinamiento, vigilancia, deducciones de alquiler, amenaza...

In the third episode of the Permission to Exploit podcast series, we begin to explore how control is enforced, and the way labour exploitation is maintained: threats, deportation fear, blacklist myths, job loss, and immigration consequences. We are joined by migrant worker Kenny, and by Anita Prskalo, Migrant Worker Program Coordinator at Legal Assistance of Windsor (LAW). Permission to Exploit is...

In the second episode of the Permission to Exploit podcast series, we explore the structural root: why tying status to an employer creates vulnerability. We are joined by migrant worker Kenny, and by Anita Prskalo, Migrant Worker Program Coordinator at Legal Assistance of Windsor (LAW). Permission to Exploit is a special series of the FCJ Refugee Centre's Borderless Voices podcast, that combines l...

In this first episode of the Permission to Exploit podcast series, we look at how jobs are sold abroad, misinformation, debt, and power imbalance before arrival. This sets up everything that follows. We are joined by migrant worker Megha, and by Gabriel Allahdua, Outreach Worker and Mobilization Officer with the Association for the Rights of Household and Farm Workers (DTMF). Permission to Exploit...

Learn everything about Ride for Refuge, our biggest annual fundraising campaign, and  join us on October 4 for the family-friendly bike/walk event that every year brings the members of our community together. Support the FCJ Refugee Centre and newly arrived refugees in Toronto by donating today or joining our team. 

In this new episode of Borderless Voices we talk with Elisa Ibarra, the coordinator of our Primary Care Clinic, one of the main services that we provide at the FCJ Refugee Centre. Our clinic, funded by Inner City Health Associates (ICHA), is dedicated to providing transitional primary care and psychiatry services to those without insurance (OHIP, IFH), prioritizing the well-being of uprooted peopl...

In this new episode of Borderless Voices we talk with Tracy Muriithi, the coordinator of the project A Roadmap to Justice, about the amazing Refugee and Im/Migrant Youth Conference, which will take place in Toronto this Friday, February 21. This conference will bring together organizations and youth to showcase projects focused on supporting refugee and migrant youth and minors, and it's a fantast...

Today, January 24th, is the United Nations' proclaimed International Day of Education, this year, with the theme AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation. In this new episode of Borderless Voices, we look a little deeper into the experience of access to education of newcomers in Ontario.

On International Migrants Day (December 18), we talk with Jovana Blagovcanin, Anti-Human Trafficking Manager at FCJ Refugee Centre, about the vital role migrants play in our communities, and the ongoing need for solidarity and advocacy. She also talks about the campaign A Day Without Migrants; and the importance of standing with migrants, especially today.

December 10 is Human Rights Day, a date that marks the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948, reminding us that every person is entitled to dignity, equality, and freedom. In this new episode of Borderless Voices, we hear from young individuals about why human rights matter to them, and we also speak with Diana Gallego, Co-Executive Director of the FCJ...

November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This day is more than just a reminder of the violence women and girls face across the globe; it’s a call to action for us all to take a stand against all forms of gender-based violence. In this new episode of Borderless Voices we talk about it with Chiara Rossi, FCJ Refugee Centre's Anti-Human Trafficking – Wome...

This holiday season, let's come together to make a difference in the lives of families in need. In this new episode of Borderless Voices, Kelly Arevalo, FCJ Refugee Centre's Food Security Coordinator, talks about our annual Holiday Food Drive, which will take place this weekend (November 30 and December 1, from 9 am to 3 pm), in front of the No Frills closest to our location, at 243 Alberta Ave, i...

On the occasion of our upcoming Winter Fundraising Party, this new episode of Borderless Voices features an in-depth interview with our Co-Executive Director Tsering Lhamo. She tells us everything about this special event on December 6, and also give us a great insight of the work we do at the Centre, our core programs, the importance of helping refugees, and her own personal experience. Don't mis...

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. It is a time to recognize and commemorate the intergenerational harm that residential schools caused to Indigenous families and communities, and to honour those who have been affected by this injustice. A message from Tsering Lhamo, Co-Executive Director of the FCJ Refugee Centre.

We’re happy to announce the launching of a new semester of Uprooted U, a program that targets post-secondary education access for youth and newcomers facing barriers, with a focus on expanding our post-secondary offerings. The program will run four semesters of three months each, starting in October 2024, and covering various topical areas. We tell you everything about it this new episode of Borde...

Ride for Refuge is almost here, and Cagla and Viktor tell us all about this great event in this new episode of the Borderless Voices podcast. Join us on Obtober 5 for our biggest annual fundraising campaign and support the FCJ Refugee Centre, in a family-friendly bike/walk event that every year brings the members of our community together.

In this new episode of the Borderless Voices podcast, Founder of FCJ Refugee Centre, Loly Rico, talks about the importance and significance of Undocumented Residents Day, which will be officially proclaimed this Tuesday, August 20, by the City of Toronto. The event is hosted by the City of Toronto in partnership with OCASI and FCJ Refugee Centre, and it will include a discussion panel that will ex...

Today we celebrate World Refugee Day, an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on 20 June and shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of those forced to flee. This year, World Refugee Day focuses on solidarity with refugees – for a world where refugees are welcomed.

In this new episode of Borderless Voices, Junru Huang shares her experience as a York University Placement Student with the Youth & Access To Education Programs at FCJ Refugee Centre.

In this new episode of Borderless Voices, Chloe and Luca share their experiences as volunteer instructors in our MusicBox program, which offers free music classes to children between 6 and 12 years old through fun, educational and engaging activities. The program is offered by the FCJ Refugee Centre and Musicbox Children’s Charity, as a part of our Uprooted Junior Program.

Refugee Rights Day is celebrated every year in Canada on April 4th, the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1985 ruling that stated that refugee claimants are entitled to fundamental rights. On this episode of Borderless Voices we talk about the importance of this day with Loly Rico, FCJ Refugee Centre’s Founder.