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SISO’s Fifteenth Anniversary Gala: November 28th, 2008
Keynote Address
Patricia Daenzer
"Friends of SISO this evening we not only celebrate 15 years of service to the Hamilton community but we proudly reaffirm the role we play in our nation’s commitment to the international resettlement of those whose lives have been disrupted by events so severe we don’t care to try to imagine the horror.
SISO deserves acclaim for the work done in the resettlement of involuntarily displaced persons who are sent to Hamilton to begin new lives. There is no question that without SISO, a valued community organization which embodies the Executive Director, staff and volunteers, there would exist a serious gap in social institutions in Hamilton.
Tremendous credit must be given to Morteza Jafarpour who has directed this work for the last ten years with vision and vigour which sometimes drives his Board to distraction. Hamilton is lucky to have him and we cannot comprehend a Hamilton without the SISO team which includes nearly 100 staff and more than 250 volunteers who continue to transform our community into a very caring place.
Inter-agency collaborations have played an important part in SISO’s work during the last fifteen years. We also then owe much gratitude to the agencies who served as our partners during the last decade and a half. We are very honoured that so many of you are here to share this evening with us. Ticket sales for this event have surpassed our initial goal of 1000. We thank you for continuing to care.
Of course the vision of this settlement agency was the intellectual work of many who came together sixteen or more years ago to solidify their thoughts which reflected a good understanding of the future. Because, as we celebrate this evening and share ideas for moving forward to improve the lives of those who are most fortunate to arrive among us, the next wave of refugees are already being created by unspeakable actions in nations across the world. But, a new era is dawning we hope! " Read more here....
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