Leading up to September October 4, 2025, I'm fundraising in the Ride (and walk!) for Refuge in solidarity with immigrants, migrants and refugees who need our support!

I will be doing this in support of FCJ Refugee Centre, a grassroots organization whose work I have had the honour to see up close over more than a decade as a volunteer, fundraiser and collaborator on multiple meaningful initiatives with youth and the community at York and Toronto Metropolitan Universities.

I am also participating in honour and memory of my dear friend - and pillar of the migrant and refugee-serving community - Francisco Rico-Martinez who we lost far too soon to a battle with cancer four years ago in 2021. I know that the centre will use any funds to support his and his colleagues’ long-held vision of a grassroots, migrant led organization that walks in solidarity with uprooted people. Francisco was the co-director and co-founder of the FCJ Refugee Centre along with his partner Loly Rico. He was the first refugee president of the Canadian Council for Refugees and tireless advocate for human rights. I would be thrilled if you would consider joining my fundraising team, or making a donation to my efforts in support of the centre.

You can donate directly to my walk/ride at http://ride.w-ith.me/jc4fcj

I am also walking with my family to raise awareness with other civil society members to STOP BILL- C-2, the socalled “Strong Borders” Act – a bill the centre and its partners are front and centre in combatting  - https://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/2025/06/stop-bill-c-2/ .

FCJ Refugee centre is home to a nation-leading youth group, a legal support program for refugees and undocumented persons, a health clinic for those without coverage, and provides housing for refugee women and children, to cite just a few initiatives from their 30 years of existence.

If you would like to learn more about Francisco and his legacy, please see these beautiful tributes by friends and colleagues:

Requiem For Francisco Rico-Martinez, The Peaceful Revolutionary In Canadian Immigration - https://www.revistadebate.net/requiem-for-francisco-rico-martinez-the-peaceful-revolutionary-in-canadian-immigration/

Francisco Martinez arrived as a refugee and devoted his life to helping others make a home in Canada, too-  https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article-francisco-martinez-arrived-as-refugee-and-devoted-his-life-to-helping/

Please consider joining us in this effort to support Francisco’s legacy, the centre’s work and join us on October 4th!