Durham College student organizes major event for Syrian refugees

Like millions of Canadians, Durham College (DC) student Damien Haveliwalla was moved by stories of Syrian refugees who arrived in Canada in search a new life, and decided to do something to help the cause in his own unique way.

Haveliwalla, a third-year student in the Sport Management program at DC, was doing his field placement in the sales and sponsorship department of the Steelheads – an Ontario Hockey League team based in Mississauga, when an idea hit him. What about inviting some Syrian refugee families, newly arrived in Toronto, to get their first taste of Canada’s national winter sport; hockey?

“The Steelheads are really big on community involvement,” Haveliwalla said. “And I thought, what better way to help introduce these people to our community, and to Canada, than by inviting them to be our guests at a Steelheads game.”

He took the idea to his team’s management and, after getting their approval, he approached Lifeline Syria, a charitable organization that recruits and trains sponsor groups to help Syrian refugees who are settling in the Greater Toronto Area. The Steelheads supplied tickets to the organization and, as a result, more than 200 Syrian refugees were able to attend their first hockey game as the Steelheads claimed a 5-3 victory over the Peterborough Petes on Friday, March 18^.

Haveliwalla says he was busy with his regular duties during the game, so he didn’t have much chance to interact with the refugee families who were attending the match, but one story he later heard did stick in his mind.

“One of volunteers with Lifeline Syria told me she talked to one of the refugees who told her she was so happy and excited to be at the game and, after everything she’d been through, it felt like the best day of her life,” Haveliwalla said. “Something like that really sticks with you.”

Haveliwalla’s efforts garnered local and national media attention for the Steelheads, with stories on CBC, CITY, Global and CTV News. His teachers at DC had nothing but praise for his efforts to raise the team’s community profile while helping Syrian families get accustomed to their new home.

“Damien has exhibited leadership skills and professionalism in his role with the Mississauga Steelheads,” said Janice Robinson, professor, School of Business, IT and Management at DC. “This is a great example for all of our students on how to excel in their field placements and careers.”

As for Haveliwalla himself, he will finish his placement as a member of the Steelheads sales and sponsorship team, then begin the task of finding a job in his chosen field. With the solid grounding he received from his family, he hopes the lessons he’s learned while at DC will lead to a successful career in sports management.

“My parents always taught me, and this was reinforced at DC, that I should always do the right thing, no matter how much work is involved.” Haveliwalla said. “This really felt like the right thing to do, and I’m glad I was able to help.”