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Mohamed Sofa (middle) holds his award and poses with Mayor Jim Watson (left) and Bay Ward Councillor Mark Taylor (right).
Jul
For Mohamed Sofa, helping and serving others is simply second nature.
So it came as no surprise to his friends and family when the Somali-born community activist and community builder was awarded the Mayor's City Builder Award.
In the 15 years since he arrived in Ottawa as a refugee, Mr. Sofa, now 29 years old, has helped initiate and implement dozens of community projects, including homework clubs, soccer teams, basketball leagues, sports nights, and celebrations for youth.
He began volunteering and helping neighbourhood youth at an early age while living at Britannia Woods and remains a strong role model for youth in the west end of Ottawa.
Mr. Sofa is one of the founders of Young Somali Professionals of North America-Ottawa Branch which provides networking opportunities and creates social and business community enhancement projects.
He is also chairperson of the Somali Youth Basketball League (SYBL), a non-profit organization he formed in 2003 to help at-risk youth develop leadership, social and basketball skills. The league has since grown to include non-Somalis and serves more than 200 youth from across the city.
The married father of one is a member of the board of directors at the Britannia Community House and the Catholic Immigration Centre and also works as a community youth worker at Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre. It was his colleagues at the health centre and Bay Ward Councillor Mark Taylor who nominated him for the award.
The Mayor's City Builder Award is a civic honour created by Mayor Watson to recognize an individual, group or organization that has, through outstanding volunteerism or exemplary action, demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to making our city a better place today and for the future.
This may include lifelong service, outstanding acts of kindness, inspiring charitable work, community building or other exemplary achievements.
Individuals, groups or organizations may be nominated by members of City Council or the public. The award is presented at the beginning of each City Council meeting.
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