In 2015, uTurn Project Inc., in partnership with Bhutanese Refugees in Calgary and the Himalayan Fellowship, welcomed Bhutanese newcomers to Canada. The collaboration sought to successfully transition the Bhutanese newcomers to Canadian society. This initiative gathered on December 19, 2015, during the Bhutanese National Day Celebration and Christmas Dinner and collaborated with Hope Mission in the Forest Lawn area. This event celebrated refugee determination in the face of adversity and raised awareness of the hardships refugees face in their daily lives. The event brought attention to members of the community who may not be familiar with the struggles of refugees. The event also served as a reminder of how far Canada has come in finding solutions to the problems that refugees face. Approximately seventy-five people were at this event including MLA -- Calgary-East, Robyn Luff.
The event was held on July 1, 2015, at the Calgary Genesis Centre (7555 Falcon Ridge Boulevard NE). Canada Day showcases and commemorates Canada’s multicultural society while acknowledging citizenship and recognising diverse histories. 2015 marks the 148th anniversary of Confederation, and uTurn Project Inc. held festivities in the commons area of the Genesis Centre. The event included a speech delivered by the uTurn Project Inc. President which outlined what makes Canada a great place to live. The festivities included family activities and refreshments provided by uTurn Project Inc. and the International Community Development Centre. In attendance were various public servants including federal MPs Devinder Shory, Darshan Kang, and provincial MLA Hon. Irfan Sabir -- provincial Minister of Human Services. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank served and sponsored food outside the Genesis Centre. Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a non-profit organisation that spreads a message of poverty alleviation and seeks to inform community members of actions that to contribute to this cause. Members of the local community -- staff from the Genesis Centre (YMCA, Calgary Public Library, North East Centre of Community Society and 1000 Voices) -- in addition to people visiting the Centre enjoyed, participated in the community barbeque. In total, the 2015 Canada Day celebrations attracted over 400 people. Also, the Canadian Mosaic and a Bangladesh artist’s performance entertained the community. The performance offered a time to reflect on the scientific researchers' discoveries, the success of entrepreneurs, and commemorating a diverse shared history. WestJet provided a generous donation to the community in the form of two plane tickets to anywhere from Dublin to Hawaii. Auctioning these tickets off supported an educational project for underprivileged children in Calgary.
Family Violence Prevention Month began in 1986 and was a local initiative from Hinton, Alberta, that spread throughout the province. The grassroots campaign is now an ongoing provincial initiative actively involved in preventing family violence through public education, awareness, and services. On November 29, 2015, uTurn Project Inc. held an event at the Genesis Centre to partake in Family Violence Prevention Month. Speakers included Hon. Irfan Sabir -- provincial Minister of Human Services, Constable Kyle Winter -- Calgary Police Services-Domestic Violence Unit, and Raman Gill -- a Canadian artist. In addition, Celina Thibault, Saima Jamal, and Ruma Modak shared their personal testimonies. The keynote address delivered by Hon. Sabir followed accounts from individuals active in the community and those with first-hand experience in dealing with family violence. The event benefits the public by offering services available from several organisations combating family violence. Community leaders, such as the Bhutanese, attended the event and learned proactive measures to reduce domestic violence. Organisations dedicated to ending family violence were also present including Homefront Calgary, Calgary Region Child, and Family Services. Attendees received preventative information and actions that limit the threats against women. This event outlined the issues surrounding domestic violence and the scope of it. The event offered resources to those suffering and to those who had suffered at the hands of family violence.
April 25, 2015: Nepal and various periphery states were affected by a devastating earthquake. The Nepal Earthquake Fundraiser was spearheaded by uTurn Project Inc. and held at the Genesis Centre. On May 20, 2015, in partnership with the International Community Development Centre and the Himalayan Fellowship, the fundraiser focused on delivering essential needs -- such as food, water, shelter -- and emergency supplies to those affected by the Nepal Earthquake. In addition, uTurn Project Inc. arranged volunteers, in collaboration with Samaritan’s Purse, to pack one-thousand-eight-hundred care packages. This is a local effort to provided support on a global level and engages volunteers from the community to actively contribute to rebuilding efforts. The event celebrated humanity, interfaith unity, peace and volunteerism. Over three-hundred Canadians got involved in the fundraiser.
uTurn Project Inc., in collaboration with the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work, organized a round table forum on June 26, 2015. Dr. Michael Embai facilitated discussion and candidly focused on the following questions: does multiculturalism mean what some critics say it means; are we reaching the goals of multiculturalism; how should we consider the motif of the founding peoples of Canada? This event was attended by 40 people and included members of the general public and academics in their respected fields. This frank conversation allowed for individuals to inclusively discuss issues and potential solutions to multiculturalism in Canada.