Zena Chaudhry
Our Elite Member Zena Chaudhry, is a remarkably inspiring Muslim Canadian woman who is contributing to the evolution of the Canadian social narrative. She is the CEO of Sakeenah – a network of transitional homes and emergency shelters for Muslim families who are in desperate need of assistance
Chaudhry graduated from Cardiff University, UK in 2013 with a Master of Laws degree and returned home to Canada to put her education to use. She identified the cultural and religious gaps that adversely impact our society’s most vulnerable members. There are many factors that contribute to the need for a safe place for them, including domestic violence, abuse, poverty, homelessness, and immigration.
Chaudhry never thought she would be working in the social service sector. But it was the turning point in her life when she saw a family friend struggling through a messy divorce and attempting to leave an abusive situation. It was then that she decided to take an initiative to help and provide shelter to the Muslim women, children, and families who are in need. Since then, she has never looked back and continues to strive to improve their condition.
“Sakeenah Homes” was founded in 2017. In the beginning, Zena funded it with her own savings. Later, she gave her personal number to organizations that provide social services to people who are in need. She asked them to send Muslim-identifying women and children her way. She would help them if they couldn’t. Within five months, she’d spent her entire savings on accommodations, emergency food assistance, and other basic necessities. In 2018, she realized that there was a strong demand for this type of specialized support. She set up a board and registered her organization as a not-for-profit. She took care of everything during those early years, from frontline work to fundraising and financing. The first Toronto shelter opened in 2019.
She is a woman who lives her purpose with constancy. And that’s the reason her dedication led her to open five shelters in cities across the country. Her shelters are nearly full. Therefore, she along with her team has started giving remote services to those who can’t or don’t want to live in one of her shelters. The organization provides legal advice, career counseling, mental health, access to health services, and planning on how to safely and sustainably leave an abusive situation. “Sakeenah Homes” is devoted to giving women options and removing barriers wherever possible.
“Sakeenah” has helped more than 12,000 women and children across the country. Her proudest moment is being able to offer reconciliation counseling to people who are seeking a second chance.
“Sakeenah Homes” recently rebranded as “Sakeenah” has initiated the first licensed foster care agency for Muslim children in North America. “Sakeenah” offers a safe space for homeless Muslim women, children, and families and also provides a wide range of services including legal, mental health, financial assistance, education, etc. At-risk Muslim communities desperately need these services but don’t necessarily have access to them.
Zena loves breaking stereotypes associated with hijabi women. Her hobbies include camping, kayaking, hunting, sailing, and fishing. Since she was three, she has won several fishing tournaments and has never been ‘skunked’.
We at CAIC proudly welcome Zena as our Elite Member and anticipate that she will inspire us to commit ourselves to help the vulnerable sectors of our community.
