When Hamdi Mohamed arrived in 1989 as a Somali refugee, she faced many of the challenges newcomers still face today. She struggled to find work in her field, and was unfamiliar with Canada’s institutions. But by helping others, she was able to overcome those barriers to become the executive director of the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, and a renowned community leader. 
Emma Lovell, Centretown NewsThrough her role as executive director of OCISO, Hamdi Mohamed strives to make Ottawa a more inclusive place for new immigrants.
Month: April 2009
Bike helmet law needs more teeth
As the temperature rises and the snow melts, biking is once again becoming a popular mode of transportation.
City gives residents, developers say on Official Plan
Proposed changes to Ottawa’s blueprint for the future are giving residents and developers the chance to have their say on how Ottawa will look 20 years in the future.
New humane society building long overdue
Feces and urine float through the watery gutters lining the eroding cages of the Ottawa Humane Society’s dog runs. In the stray cat ward, cages filled with two to three cats are stacked on top of one another, spilling out into the hallways and filling closets – the meows from the distressed animals are deafening. 
Natalie Zakrzewski, Centretown NewsThe current Ottawa Humane Society building was designed to accommodate 2,500 animals a year, but it now houses more than 11,000 annually. Overcrowding has forced some animals to be stored in cluttered closets and dirty wash stations.