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On Monday, March 9, 2026, Breaking Bread, Building Bonds returns for its third year as one of British Columbia’s premier interfaith and intercultural gala gatherings. The event will take place from 5:00–9:00 PM at Fraserview Banquet Hall (8240 Fraser Street, Vancouver, BC) and is expected to bring together approximately 1,000 faith leaders, community builders, frontline workers, policymakers, and changemakers from across the province.<figure id="figure-62lo0mh45wmm9kc20o" class="selected"><img id="62lo0mh45wmm9kc20o" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/27QcRUT8ZSbq5VkzdwUdXFoLeXdpccJiXu63l3IkNRbIlCe2VpuZPLHN2Fzs5nPD.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl selected" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 70%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="70%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/27QcRUT8ZSbq5VkzdwUdXFoLeXdpccJiXu63l3IkNRbIlCe2VpuZPLHN2Fzs5nPD.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 70%;"></figure>Since its inception, Breaking Bread, Building Bonds has become a distinctive space for dialogue and collaboration across sectors and traditions. Designed intentionally as an interfaith and intercultural gathering, the evening brings Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jews, Indigenous leaders, civic institutions, and community advocates into one shared space—not simply to exchange ideas, but to build sustained relationships rooted in trust and mutual respect.This year’s theme, Mental Health &amp; Self-Care, reflects an urgent and shared reality. Across Canada, one in five individuals experiences mental illness in any given year. Stress, anxiety, grief, and burnout are increasingly present in homes, workplaces, schools, and service environments. Young people, in particular, are navigating unprecedented pressures. The cumulative impact of these challenges contributes to complex trauma, underscoring the need for approaches that emphasize prevention, community care, and culturally grounded healing.The evening will feature invited dignitaries, subject-matter experts, and voices with lived experience. Expected contributors include Norm Leech, recognized for his work in Indigenous wellness and land-based approaches to healing, and potentially Dr. Gabor Maté, whose research on trauma and recovery has shaped global conversations on mental health. Through guided discussions, participants will explore Indigenous approaches to wellness, harm reduction, digital resilience, navigating polarization, and strategies for addressing burnout.A communal iftar dinner remains central to the experience. Breaking fast together during Ramadan creates a powerful moment of shared reflection and hospitality. More than symbolic, it reinforces the evening’s purpose: that connection is foundational to healing. When individuals from different backgrounds gather at one table, dialogue becomes possible in ways that formal conferences often cannot achieve.Participants will leave not only with strengthened relationships, but also with practical mental health tools, direct connections to service organizations, and a clearer understanding of how to respond to trauma within their communities. Previous years’ gatherings (2024 and 2025) were widely described as among the most hopeful and unifying events of the year, setting a strong foundation for continued growth in 2026.As Breaking Bread, Building Bonds enters its third year, it continues to demonstrate that cross-sector collaboration and shared human experience are powerful forces in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our province. When communities choose to gather intentionally—across faiths, cultures, and professional disciplines—they affirm that healing is not abstract. It is collective, relational, and possible.

Foundation for a Path Forward's Breaking Bread, Building Bonds Returns for Its Third Year

Foundation for a Path Forward (FFPF), in partnership with <a data-mce-href="https://kidsplayfoundation.com" href="https://kidsplayfoundation.com">KidsPlay Foundation (KPF)</a> and <a data-mce-href="https://www.solvecrime.ca" href="https://www.solvecrime.ca">Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers (MVCS)</a>, hosted a public safety forum focused on drugs, gangs, and extortion in Surrey and the broader Metro Vancouver region.<figure id="figure-f7lu5cjd9nmnz00gon"><img id="f7lu5cjd9nmnz00gon" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1cAiTk9DO9ObQN73bXdswfgurSXbvjBoDzpfKs7D2L4mRdCH9TYeEyDZt8jdIW9O.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 0%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="0%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1cAiTk9DO9ObQN73bXdswfgurSXbvjBoDzpfKs7D2L4mRdCH9TYeEyDZt8jdIW9O.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 0%;"></figure>Held at the Westfield Country Club, the event brought together families, youth, educators, and community members to engage in a timely conversation about the challenges facing communities today. The forum was supported by the Government of Canada and aimed to raise awareness and foster dialogue around issues that continue to impact many households.Attendees heard directly from former gang members and families affected by extortion, offering perspectives grounded in lived experience. Their reflections highlighted the realities behind gang recruitment, the pressures facing youth, and the impact of extortion on families.The event also featured remarks from public officials, including Member of Parliament Sukh Dhaliwal, MLA Jody Toor, and Surrey Councillor Linda Annis, who also serves as Executive Director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers.A youth education bursary raffle was held during the forum, reinforcing the importance of supporting young people through positive opportunities and pathways.The forum created space for open conversation and community engagement around public safety, emphasizing the importance of awareness, collaboration, and collective responsibility in addressing these complex challenges.

FFPF and KPF with MVCS Hold the Drugs, Gangs, and Extortion Public Safety Forum

<figure id="figure-5n3k8r1ywkmgv4w4tm"><img id="5n3k8r1ywkmgv4w4tm" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/1be5cmjy8gu5eYXawTEJaEYtIMIwUQ9t45ej4vcR1eXX8lVRpoH840Oa6cLbNE1z.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/1be5cmjy8gu5eYXawTEJaEYtIMIwUQ9t45ej4vcR1eXX8lVRpoH840Oa6cLbNE1z.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure>To mark Islamic History Month, the Ismaili Council for BC and the Foundation for a Path Forward are hosting a special dialogue with Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia, in conversation with Dr. Amyn Sajoo, author and scholar at SFU.This timely discussion will explore how Canadians can take meaningful action to address Islamophobia and strengthen our shared values of inclusion and belonging.📅 Sunday, October 26 | 2:30 p.m. 📍 Ismaili Centre Vancouver 🔗 Register here:&nbsp;<a data-mce-href="https://iicanada.org/events/community-engagement/islamic-history-month-dialogue-amira-elghawaby-and-dr-amyn-sajoo" href="https://iicanada.org/events/community-engagement/islamic-history-month-dialogue-amira-elghawaby-and-dr-amyn-sajoo">https://iicanada.org/events/community-engagement/islamic-history-month-dialogue-amira-elghawaby-and-dr-amyn-sajoo</a>

REGISTER NOW | Islamic History Month with Amira Elghawaby and Dr. Amyn Sajoo

Interview and round table discussion at business convention and presentation. Audience at the conference hall. Business and entrepreneurship symposium

The Foundation for a Path Forward is honoured to announce that its co-founder Yusuf Siraj will be speaking at the Polarization in the Public Square conference on October 21, 2025, in Toronto. Hosted by Digital Public Square as part of Public Safety Canada’s “Megaweek”, the event will bring together experts and community leaders from across the country to address the growing challenge of social and political polarization in Canada.Yusuf will join the panel “The Power of Community: Canadian Civil Society Responses to Polarization”, highlighting the Foundation’s work—especially its Breaking Bread | Building Bonds initiative—as a model for fostering dialogue, empathy, and connection across communities.Learn more about the event here: <a data-mce-href="https://luma.com/yvg2miux" href="https://luma.com/yvg2miux" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">https://luma.com/yvg2miux</a>

(Upcoming) Foundation Set to Talk at the "Polarization in the Public Square" Conference

<figure id="figure-1p1vnd91wmgjn1osd"><img id="1p1vnd91wmgjn1osd" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1P9qc3GQS1KDLMUj8C16L2yCBQnwHXaeO8Ftpht0gD37BHVJZU0rXn1DOPuen98q.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1P9qc3GQS1KDLMUj8C16L2yCBQnwHXaeO8Ftpht0gD37BHVJZU0rXn1DOPuen98q.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>The Foundation for a Path Forward is proud to partner with the Strong Cities Network and the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities on the launch of Prevention Academy Canada, a national initiative funded by Public Safety Canada that officially launched on September 11, 2025. The Academy is now underway, equipping municipal leaders and local officials with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships needed to address rising hate, extremism, and social polarisation in communities across the country.Across Canada, municipalities are on the frontlines of responding to growing divisions and threats—both online and offline—that undermine community safety and cohesion. Yet many local governments, particularly smaller ones, face limited resources and competing priorities. The Prevention Academy directly addresses this gap by empowering mayors, councillors, senior administrators, and community leaders to understand the hate landscape, strengthen digital and social resilience, and implement coordinated prevention strategies tailored to their communities.<figure id="figure-71bnu51qgmgjn2gr9"><img id="71bnu51qgmgjn2gr9" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/27eMIyUmgBQ2XT6ld5zH9yrAt3cFVi0xR3Ndk1P5PgwmWC3C90F1dMQUx1J75yJj.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>Building on the success of the Strong Cities Prevention Academy model in the United States, Prevention Academy Canada tailors its curriculum to the Canadian context, aligning with existing safety and well-being efforts. The ten-month program features a series of ten learning modules, combining expert-led sessions, peer-to-peer exchanges, and hands-on planning. Participants will engage on key themes such as:<ul><li>Countering online hate and disinformation through digital literacy;</li><li>Building community resilience using a public health approach;</li><li>Developing referral systems for individuals at risk of radicalisation; and</li><li>Managing crisis communications and post-incident response.</li></ul>The Foundation for a Path Forward brings to this partnership its deep experience in community resilience, anti-racism, and social innovation. Since 2020, the Foundation has reached more than 750,000 individuals, built over 200 organisational partnerships, and delivered programming across Toronto, Calgary, and Moncton. Its grassroots networks, interfaith partnerships, and expertise in public safety and inclusion are helping ensure the Academy’s implementation is both effective and community-driven.With sessions now in progress, the Foundation continues to play a central role in connecting local leadership with community expertise, embedding equity and inclusion throughout the Academy’s design. Together with the Strong Cities Network and the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities, this partnership represents a major step toward building safer municipalities, stronger institutions, and a more united Canada committed to prevention and resilience.

Foundation for a Path Forward Teams Up with the Strong Cities Network for Prevention Academy Canada

<figure id="figure-uehlan5u2mgjmhnwo"><img id="uehlan5u2mgjmhnwo" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/38oWKgjCoENHpWBUOQGJo8Ki7IfLKA222JYXvkiUbkMlISiizFes0v6979itzriU.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 35%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="35%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/38oWKgjCoENHpWBUOQGJo8Ki7IfLKA222JYXvkiUbkMlISiizFes0v6979itzriU.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 35%;"></figure>Municipalities across British Columbia came together on September 3–4, 2025, for a two-day conference in Vancouver on countering online harms and protecting social cohesion. Organized under the Strong Cities–North America initiative, the event brought together elected officials, community leaders, academics, and practitioners to examine the growing challenges of hate, disinformation, and digital threats at the local level.<figure id="figure-p7souzra4mgjmnpyb"><img id="p7souzra4mgjmnpyb" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28SBEONULaDiZQl12cpCmBkPOEJ1MFOmTyyXPuhBcGKOXm9qZY9ZtrNfNYmlGwcJ.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 25%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="25%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28SBEONULaDiZQl12cpCmBkPOEJ1MFOmTyyXPuhBcGKOXm9qZY9ZtrNfNYmlGwcJ.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 25%;"></figure>The Foundation for a Path Forward (F4PF) played a central role in shaping the discussion throughout the conference. On the first day, F4PF Co-Founder Tariq Tyab joined researchers and academics to highlight the ways in which online conspiracy narratives and gendered forms of abuse are particularly harmful to marginalized communities in British Columbia. His contribution grounded the conversation in the lived realities of municipalities, emphasizing both the risks and the opportunities for community resilience.<figure id="figure-a22pr1espfmgjmo932"><img id="a22pr1espfmgjmo932" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/202Av3T4zDIZCqG8nGYgivzuEm55Vi4E6kOCkvjJHBtO0GxdI1iZC3Nc9TQMK0TB.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/202Av3T4zDIZCqG8nGYgivzuEm55Vi4E6kOCkvjJHBtO0GxdI1iZC3Nc9TQMK0TB.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Later that morning, F4PF Co-Founder Yusuf Siraj presented findings from the Centre for Civic Governance’s report, “Inclusive Networking &amp; Support for Public Officials in Rural Environments: Addressing Systemic Racism and Online Harms in Local Governance across BC.” His presentation shed light on how local officials, particularly in smaller and rural municipalities, are uniquely vulnerable to targeted online abuse. By outlining practical recommendations, he provided municipal leaders with tools to better protect themselves and their communities.The Foundation’s leadership continued as Yusuf Siraj moderated a conversation with municipal leaders from across British Columbia, including representatives from New Westminster, Nelson, and Courtenay. This session gave city officials the chance to candidly share their perspectives on the state of online harms in their communities, illustrating the varying impacts across urban and rural contexts. By guiding the dialogue, F4PF ensured that municipal voices remained central to the conversation and that practical lessons from different regions were elevated.<figure id="figure-4zngg2mvnmgjmojf6"><img id="4zngg2mvnmgjmojf6" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2ftQzaMxD69FLbcv5HzjNnRtV8txiTSP5sTSj74VJxReCPtFQuvI5oFNhUN3uFO6.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2ftQzaMxD69FLbcv5HzjNnRtV8txiTSP5sTSj74VJxReCPtFQuvI5oFNhUN3uFO6.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Across both days of the conference, the contributions of the Foundation for a Path Forward emphasized the importance of equipping municipalities with the knowledge, networks, and confidence to respond to online harms. By presenting research, moderating critical discussions, and framing local challenges in a way that resonated with participants, F4PF reinforced its role as a bridge between community-based expertise and policy-level initiatives. The conference ultimately underscored that tackling online threats to social cohesion requires not only international cooperation but also the leadership and active engagement of organizations rooted in the communities most affected—an approach that the Foundation for a Path Forward exemplified throughout the event.

Foundation for a Path Forward

Foundation News

Foundation for a Path Forward's Breaking Bread, Building ...

FFPF and KPF with MVCS Hold the Drugs, Gangs, and Extorti...

REGISTER NOW | Islamic History Month with Amira Elghawaby...

(Upcoming) Foundation Set to Talk at the "Polarization in...

Foundation for a Path Forward Teams Up with the Strong Ci...

Foundation Speaks and Moderates at the Strong Cities Netw...