Announcement Details

COSTI CELEBRATES 65 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Musician Esmaeel Abofakher, Syrian newcomer and former COSTI client.

From left: Bruno M. Suppa, COSTI President, The Honourable Laura Albanese and Mario J. Calla, Executive Director of COSTI.

Vice President Vittoria Adhami introduces the recipients of the Corvetti Academic Scholarship Fund.

Over 350 guests attended COSTI’s 65th Anniversary Celebration held on October 26th at the Aga Khan Museum. The evening included a cocktail reception, followed by a video presentation of COSTI’s history and awards presentation recognizing individuals and corporations who have made a significant contribution towards accelerating the engagement of newcomers to Canada. The evening also marked the inauguration of the Corvetti Scholarship Award, presented to three immigrant youth.

“This event and significant milestone is very special to those of us at COSTI, not only because it allows us to celebrate the organization that COSTI is today, but because it also allows us to honour and recognize our past, the foundation upon which COSTI is built. Equally important is the opportunity to recognize the institutions and people in our community that support our mission,” commented COSTI’s President, Bruno M. Suppa.

In celebration of our 65 years of service to the community and to recognize the significant contribution of immigrants to Canada, COSTI launched the Excellence in Accelerating Engagement and Diversity Award, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award and Lifetime Achievement Award at the event. The contributions of the award recipients are a testament to their leadership, commitment and dedication to accelerating the engagement of newcomers to Canada.

Lifetime Achievement Award: The Honourable Ratna Omidvar, Senator
The Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to an immigrant who has achieved outstanding success in his or her chosen career path, professional field or in the area of immigrant services. This individual will have made significant contributions to our city and country in the areas of professional achievement, community building, and philanthropic endeavours.

Excellence in Accelerating Engagement and Diversity Award: CIBC
The Excellence in Accelerating Engagement and Diversity Award is awarded to a business or individual that demonstrates leadership in hiring newcomers in Ontario and Canada, bringing together diverse perspectives, backgrounds, work experiences and cultures; allowing newcomers to grow and excel in their new country - Canada. The recipient will have made significant contributions in serving ethnically diverse client groups and is a model of true labour market integration.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award: Rex Power Magnetics
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award is awarded to an immigrant who has achieved success in the creation or operation of a business or entrepreneurial endeavor or has applied innovation resulting in business success in Ontario and Canada.

The evening ended with the presentation of the Corvetti Academic Scholarship Fund to three recipients. COSTI’s Vice President, Vittoria Adhami and the Corvetti family presented awards to Khajag Pazian, Annie Shagian, and Afrah Hassen. Read more about the recepients and the Corvetti Scholarship Fund here.

Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Laura Albanese participated in the Awards Ceremony and recognized COSTI’s work in the community. “Your laudable innovative goals allowed you to evolve and grow...we all share a positive vision committed to equity to for everyone.”

Mario J. Calla, COSTI’s Executive Director reflected on the evening and how in many ways, COSTI’s history is reflective of Canada and how is has evolved and become one of the most diverse and welcoming countries in the world. “This milestone in COSTI’s history, allows us to reflect on our achievements over the years and helps us to look towards the future - at what we want to accomplish and what we strive to become - both as an organization and as a community.”

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS

Our appreciation and thanks to COSTI’s 65th Anniversary Celebration Event Sponsors and to the Aga Khan Museum for its generous support.