Moez and Marissa Kassam Foundation Announce Support for Toronto Homelessness Charity Fred Victor

Toronto, Ontario – 

The Moez and Marissa Kassam Foundation is proud to announce their support for the Fred Victor Centre’s initiatives to address homelessness and food insecurity in the Greater Toronto Area.

Food Security/Safe Housing is one of the four key pillars of the Moez and Marissa Kassam Foundation and was an inspiration behind their latest donation to Fred Victor. 

Fred Victor is a social service charity that assists more than 3,000 individuals daily. Its mission is to enhance the health, income, and housing stability of those facing poverty and homelessness. The organization is dedicated to offering long-term, sustainable solutions to address hunger and homelessness. There are over 10,000 homeless people in Toronto with a wide range of causes, from sudden loss of employment to mental illness and addiction. One of the key reasons for a spike in homelessness is the rise in the costs of housing in the city, with rental costs increasing dramatically. Affordability is cited as the most significant challenge in moving from shelters back into a home. 

This deeply held principle of building a more equitable society led Moez and Marissa to form the Moez & Marissa Kassam Foundation in 2016, resulting in numerous donations to various organizations like Sinai Health and Michael Garron Hospital to further the cause. 

“We understand the needs of these communities because we have lived their experiences and shared these dreams ourselves,” says Moez Kassam. “We know what is possible and we understand the importance of maximizing success by applying business principles to every charitable project and initiative.”

The Moez and Marissa Kassam Foundation is funding several ongoing projects with Fred Victor including the innovative food security pilot program, developed in partnership with the Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security. This project directly supports people during a high-risk period of transition from homelessness to permanent housing. The program provides families with reliable, supplemental food income and workshops to learn fundamental food skills and ongoing one-to-one support to build independence and stability.  

“This partnership brings together expertise on housing and food insecurity to help build a case for providing additional supports to people who are making the tough transition into long-term affordable housing,” says Sarah Stern, Executive Director of the Maple Leaf Center for Food Security. “We hope to see long-term positive outcomes for participants and to build the evidence base for providing financial supports.” 

Fred Victor’s direct aid to those transitioning from a homeless support system has helped thousands to get on their feet and maintain a stable lifestyle. Their programs are located at over two dozen sites around Toronto, with affordable housing in three apartment buildings, two emergency shelters, food access, and job training and counseling. 

The Fred Victor Centre is one of the oldest charities in Canada, having served the marginalized population of Ontario for more than 127 years. The Centre remains dedicated to a vision of a province with thriving communities where every citizen has the opportunity to find a home and a career. 

More details can be found at: https://www.fredvictor.org/what-we-do/

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About Moez and Marissa Kassam Foundation: The Moez Kassam & Marissa Kassam Foundation was established in 2016 to serve as the charitable platform for Anson Funds CIO Moez Kassam and Marissa Kassam, the Vice President of Philanthropy at RBC Capital Markets. Both of them were influenced by the immigrant experience, growing up in close-knit families with strong support systems and a calling to address societal injustices. They are proud to pass on these values to their children Madelyn, Mila, Mikayla, and Milan.