Societal approach to settlement is key to change says Samina Sami, CEO of COSTI
Credit to Author: Ramya Ramanathan| Date: Wed, 01 Nov 2023 20:18:51 +0000
Samina Sami
In 2022, COSTI experienced a significant milestone. This community-based agency, dedicated to supporting diverse newcomers to Canada and all individuals seeking assistance, celebrated its 70th anniversary. Additionally, Mario Calla, who had been at the organization’s helm for half of its history, retired, passing the torch to Samina Sami who assumed the role of CEO.
With a proven track record of dynamic and visionary leadership of more than 26 years in the public sector, Sami’s very first job was within the settlement sector. She reflects on her motivation: “I’m an immigrant from India, as are my parents. The issues around inequity, gender equity, and the experiences of displaced people have always driven me.”
Sami went on to establish the HOST Program in Peel, under the auspices of the federal government. “I started with an intentional desire and deliberate focus to assist newcomers, and from there, my career followed diverse paths, “ says Sami, as she reflects on her journey.
She worked in leadership roles with the provincial government for 16 years, followed by close to eight years in roles with a university. Sami emphasizes that she carefully considered the opportunity with COSTI when it presented itself. “I thought, this is the original passion. My love is particularly the dignity of employment, and education for newcomers… helping newcomers is always what I’ve done in my personal life. And I said, okay, I’ll take that leap.”
Since July 2022, Sami has been spearheading the development and implementation of the agency’s strategic plan. She emphasizes that COSTI’s strategic priorities places importance on key elements including digital transformation and fostering strategic and diversified partnerships.
“I want to emphasize partnerships,” she says. “The socio-economic ecosystem is so complex in settlement, the only way to do it is with partners. So, my vision is very much about building that ecosystem in collaboration with other agencies, with other partners and even with other sectors.”
She believes that partnerships with the private sector are also critical. “I am delighted that employers and entrepreneurship opportunities are coming to us. That’s a game changer from years ago when we went to the employers,” she says.
She also stresses the key role of civil society in the settlement ecosystem. “We need a whole societal approach to settlement, civil society along with the settlement sector and the private sector,” she says. “We may lead in the sector, but we want to work with all these partners, right?”
She talks about COSTI’s mandate to accelerate engagement through innovation.
“The digital realm presents COSTI with many possibilities,” she says.
Digitization has enabled COSTI to provide hybrid services in various critical areas, including education and training, confidential mental health support for families, assistance for youth facing crises, gender-based violence programming, and more. She further notes that even the innovative International Student Connect program, which offers information and guidance to students pursuing post-secondary education in Ontario, incorporates hybrid programming at its core. At the same time, COSTI is also seeing a return to in-person services.
Sami underscores the agency’s commitment to elevating its existing programs to a higher level of excellence.
“Employment and skills training is a huge priority for COSTI,” she says. “What we are seeing is the need for agile work placement programs, agile skills training programs.” The organization is incorporating this agility, to meet the needs of clients and employers, through employment programs and sector-specific skills and language training programs. “We want to be innovative; we want to meet the needs of our clients. It’s a client first model.”
An important part of the agency’s work is also advocating for its clients.
Sami elaborates, “We’ve stressed the importance of supporting refugees and immigrants in a world where we are seeing a significant increase in displaced populations. We need all levels of government working together to address crises in housing, health and skills shortages, working with federal, provincial, municipal, levels. This collaborative policy, funding and service ecosystem will take us forward.”
She speaks about the importance of tackling systemic racism to create an inclusive society. “Governments and the wider society play a pivotal role in promoting and facilitating welcoming societies. Achieving this requires deliberate policy measures and intentional design.”
Sami points out that COSTI provides comprehensive (wraparound) services. “We’re a full-service agency,” she explains. “Our approach is that if someone seeks our assistance for gender-based violence, they might have other needs like employment, mental health, or childcare. Our job is to mobilize our extensive network of partners and services to accelerate the [settlement] process.”
In 2021, COSTI became a partner of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards, presented by Canadian Immigrant. “This prominent event celebrates and highlights the remarkable contributions that immigrants make to Canada’s social fabric and economy on a daily basis,” she notes.
Operating from 18 locations in Toronto, York Region and the Region of Peel, COSTI provides services in more than 60 languages, helping over 39,000 individuals. Learn more at costi.org.
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