Our Story
The CSMA strives to create systems and services that are responsive to the needs of diverse families and communities and support children and youth’s well-being.
The fundamental principle guiding the CSMA work is self-reliance, drawing upon support from members of the Somali community and allies in the wider Ottawa communities for over a decade. As a result of CSMA’s advocacy work, the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre created the first Multicultural Inmate Liaison Officer position to provide counseling to racialized inmates while advocating for other improvements to the detention centre for inmates and the reintegration of former offenders into the community.
About the Canadian Somali Mothers
The Canadian Somali Mothers Association (CSMA) is an award-winning volunteer-run advocacy group founded in 2007 by Somali mothers and their community supporters in Ottawa to support Somali children, youth, and their parents in the education and criminal justice systems. Through a partnership with community-based organizations and public institutions, the CSMA strives to creative solutions to prevent youth crime and support racialized inmates in correctional facilities. The fundamental principle guiding the CSMA work is self-reliance, drawing upon support from members of the Somali community and allies in the wider Ottawa communities for over a decade. As a result of CSMA’s advocacy work, the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre created the first Multicultural Inmate Liaison Officer position to provide counseling to racialized inmates while advocating for other improvements to the detention centre for inmates and the reintegration of former offenders into the community.
The Canadian Somali Mother’s Association (CSMA) is a grassroots organization that is looking to offer educational workshops directed for newcomer parents and families about issues affecting children and youth. These workshops are primarily about crime prevention, neighbourhood issues and the educational system. Furthermore, the CSMA works tirelessly to advocate on behalf of incarcerated youth and their families in an effort to reduce second offences and crime in neighbourhoods.
Through education, community engagement, and advocacy, the Canadian Somali Mothers Association has worked closely with parents and educators since 2012. East African families and institutions in Ottawa, Canada have been faced with challenges and opportunities as a result of the influx of Somali migrants.
Our Efforts
Over the years, the efforts of the CSMA resulted in considerable outreach to various institutions and individuals responsible for the well-being of children and youth. Through extensive dialogue with parents, youth, school administrations, local immigrant-serving organizations, police, and augmented by tracking trends in Somali children’s educational performance and their contact with the criminal justice system, the CSMA efforts focus on building relationships, outreach to families, and enabling networks.
Building with Organizations
Over the years, the efforts of the CSMA resulted in considerable outreach to various institutions and individuals responsible for the well-being of children and youth. Through extensive dialogue with parents, youth, school administrations, local immigrant-serving organizations, police, and augmented by tracking trends in Somali children's educational performance and their contact with the criminal justice system, the CSMA efforts focus on building relationships, outreach to families, and enabling networks.