About HOMA
What is HOMA?
HOMA — Iranian Christian Solidarity Organization is a Canadian federally incorporated not-for-profit organization based in Ontario. HOMA works to strengthen communities and promote human dignity, inclusion, participation, and social connection. Our activities include community research, education, newcomer integration, anti-racism and inclusion initiatives, intercultural dialogue, volunteer development, youth and community leadership, community service, and knowledge sharing.
What is HOMA’s mission?
HOMA seeks to build stronger, more inclusive communities by creating opportunities for people to learn, participate, connect, contribute, and access community resources. Our work is guided by the principles of human dignity, inclusion, equity, participation, community connection, and respect for diversity.
Who does HOMA serve?
HOMA primarily works with Iranian Canadians, newcomers, families, youth, seniors, students, professionals, and community members, as well as friends and allies of the Iranian community. Our community activities are designed around identified needs and opportunities for meaningful participation rather than religious affiliation.
Is HOMA a religious organization?
HOMA has Christian roots and is founded on a commitment to Christian solidarity and service. At the same time, our community programs are designed to be inclusive and accessible to people regardless of religious affiliation, cultural background, nationality, or personal beliefs. HOMA’s community work focuses on service, dignity, inclusion, education, participation, and strengthening relationships across communities.
Programs & Community Services
What does HOMA do?
HOMA develops and supports initiatives that respond to community needs. Our areas of activity include:
- Community education and lifelong learning
- Newcomer settlement and integration
- Anti-racism, equity, and inclusion
- Youth and community leadership
- Volunteer development and civic participation
- Community research and knowledge sharing
- Intercultural dialogue
- Community service and social connection
- Educational workshops and public information sessions
- Community gatherings and engagement activities
Programs are developed and adapted according to community priorities, available resources, partnerships, and funding opportunities.
How does HOMA identify community needs?
HOMA uses community engagement, consultations, conversations, surveys, research, participant feedback, and observations of emerging community needs to inform program development. Where appropriate, HOMA seeks to combine community experience with evidence-based approaches so that programs are relevant, measurable, and responsive.
Does HOMA provide services specifically for newcomers?
Yes. Newcomers may face challenges related to settlement, social connection, education, employment, financial literacy, access to information, and participation in Canadian society. HOMA supports newcomers through educational activities, information sharing, community connections, volunteer opportunities, workshops, and referrals to appropriate services and resources.
Does HOMA provide professional or government services?
HOMA is a community organization and does not replace specialized professional, legal, medical, financial, immigration, or government services. Where a matter requires specialized assistance, HOMA may provide general information and help participants identify appropriate community or professional resources.
Are HOMA programs free?
Many HOMA workshops, community activities, and educational events are offered free of charge.
Program fees, where applicable, depend on the nature of the program, funding arrangements, and associated costs. Details are provided with individual program announcements.
Inclusion & Community Well-Being
What is HOMA’s approach to inclusion?
HOMA believes that strong communities are built when people are treated with dignity and have meaningful opportunities to participate.
Our approach emphasizes:
- Respect for human dignity
- Equal opportunity and participation
- Inclusion and belonging
- Respect for diversity
- Intercultural understanding
- Community collaboration
- Prevention of discrimination and racism
- Meaningful engagement of community members
Does HOMA work on racism and discrimination?
Yes. Addressing racism and discrimination is an important area of HOMA’s community work. HOMA supports education, research, dialogue, awareness-building, community engagement, and collaborative initiatives that promote inclusion and help address barriers experienced by community members. Where appropriate, HOMA also seeks to document community experiences and develop constructive recommendations for institutions and community stakeholders.
Does HOMA advocate for community members?
HOMA engages in community education, awareness, research, and constructive advocacy on issues that affect the communities we serve.
Our approach is evidence-informed and focused on identifying barriers, sharing community perspectives, encouraging dialogue, and promoting practical solutions.
Research, Education & Knowledge Sharing
Does HOMA conduct community research?
Yes. Community research is one of HOMA’s areas of activity. Research may include surveys, community consultations, interviews, focus groups, needs assessments, literature reviews, and analysis of community experiences. The purpose is to better understand community needs and contribute to informed program development, public education, partnerships, and constructive recommendations.
How does HOMA use research findings?
Research findings may be used to:
- Improve existing programs
- Identify emerging community needs
- Develop educational resources
- Inform community discussions
- Support partnership development
- Share knowledge with stakeholders
- Develop evidence-informed recommendations
- Help evaluate community initiatives
HOMA seeks to communicate findings responsibly and respectfully, particularly when research involves community experiences or sensitive issues.
Does HOMA offer educational workshops?
Yes. HOMA develops and hosts educational workshops and information sessions on topics relevant to community members.
Examples may include financial literacy, newcomer integration, community participation, youth development, leadership, anti-racism and inclusion, and other areas identified through community needs.
Volunteers & Participation
Volunteers & Participation
How can I volunteer with HOMA?
HOMA welcomes individuals who wish to contribute their time, skills, knowledge, professional experience, or community connections.
Volunteers may support research, education, community events, outreach, communications, youth initiatives, newcomer activities, administration, and other projects.
Can professionals contribute their expertise?
Yes. HOMA values professional and community expertise. Professionals, educators, researchers, community leaders, and practitioners may contribute through workshops, research, mentoring, advisory activities, partnerships, speaking engagements, and volunteer service.
Can youth participate in HOMA?
Yes. Youth participation and leadership are important to HOMA’s community-building approach.
Depending on the program, young people may participate as volunteers, learners, researchers, community leaders, event participants, or members of project teams.
HOMA seeks to create opportunities for young people to develop confidence, leadership skills, community connections, and a sense of belonging.
Partnerships & Collaboration
Does HOMA collaborate with other organizations?
Yes. HOMA recognizes that meaningful community impact often requires collaboration.
We welcome opportunities to work with:
- Nonprofit and community organizations
- Educational institutions
- Researchers and academics
- Professional associations
- Settlement and community-service organizations
- Youth organizations
- Cultural organizations
- Government and public-sector stakeholders
- Foundations and funding organizations
- Businesses and socially responsible organizations
Partnerships are considered based on shared objectives, community benefit, organizational capacity, and alignment with HOMA’s mission.
How can an organization partner with HOMA?
Organizations interested in collaboration can contact HOMA with information about their organization, proposed initiative, intended community benefit, and potential areas of collaboration. Partnerships may involve joint programs, community research, educational initiatives, referrals, volunteer development, knowledge sharing, community events, or funding-related projects.
Can HOMA participate in funded projects with other organizations?
Yes. Where appropriate, HOMA may participate in collaborative or partnership-based initiatives supported by public, private, philanthropic, or community funding.
Any funded partnership is subject to appropriate agreements, roles, responsibilities, eligibility requirements, financial controls, reporting obligations, and organizational approvals.
Funding & Accountability
How is HOMA funded?
HOMA may seek support through a combination of grants, contributions, donations, sponsorships, partnerships, and other lawful sources of funding consistent with its organizational purpose and applicable requirements. Funding opportunities are evaluated according to eligibility, community benefit, program objectives, organizational capacity, and funding conditions.
How does HOMA ensure accountability?
HOMA is committed to responsible stewardship of organizational and project resources.
Depending on the program or funding arrangement, accountability measures may include:
- Documented budgets
- Defined program objectives and deliverables
- Appropriate authorization procedures
- Financial record keeping
- Participant and program records
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Progress reporting
- Board oversight
- Compliance with applicable funding requirements
HOMA seeks to maintain transparency and responsible governance as it develops its programs and organizational capacity.
Does HOMA measure the impact of its programs?
Yes. HOMA seeks to incorporate appropriate monitoring, evaluation, and learning into its programs.
Depending on the initiative, measures may include participation levels, participant feedback, learning outcomes, volunteer engagement, partnerships developed, resources produced, community reach, and other relevant indicators.
Evaluation findings are used to improve programs and inform future planning.
Community Engagement
Can community members suggest a new program?
Absolutely.
HOMA values community knowledge and encourages individuals and organizations to suggest workshops, research topics, community activities, educational initiatives, or partnership ideas.
Community suggestions can help HOMA identify priorities and develop initiatives that respond to real community needs.
How can I stay informed about HOMA’s activities?
You can follow HOMA’s website and communication channels for information about upcoming programs, workshops, community events, volunteer opportunities, publications, and initiatives.
You are also welcome to contact HOMA directly to learn more about current opportunities.
How can I support HOMA’s work?
There are many ways to support HOMA:
- Participate in our programs
- Volunteer your time or expertise
- Share HOMA’s initiatives with others
- Propose a partnership
- Contribute to community research
- Support educational activities
- Help connect HOMA with community resources
- Provide financial support where applicable
Community participation is one of the most important ways to help HOMA build stronger and more connected communities.
Contact HOMA
How can I contact HOMA?
For general inquiries, please contact:
Iranian Christian Solidarity Organization (HOMA)
4646 Dufferin Street, Unit 6, Office M18
Toronto, Ontario, M3H 5S4
Canada
Email: info@homaorg.org
Website: homaorg.org
For education, research, and program-related inquiries, please contact education@homaorg.org.
هما’s Commitment
What is HOMA’s commitment to the community
HOMA is committed to building a community in which people are treated with dignity, have opportunities to participate, and can develop meaningful connections with one another and with Canadian society.
Serving People. Strengthening Communities. Inspiring Hope.