Jimmy Hassan receives the Foundation’s second annual Community Builder Award. 

The Community Foundation has awarded the second annual Community Builder Award to local businessman and community member Jimmy Hassan. The award recognizes his efforts to promote and celebrate diversity in our community and his work to inspire the civic engagement of all people, regardless of age, race or background.

The Community Builder Award, which was established in 2018, is presented to a group or individual that is making a significant impact within our community.

An immigrant from Pakistan, Hassan moved to Kingston in 2003 to create a better life for himself and his family. He has since become a successful business owner and a pillar of the community through his generosity, hard work, and community building activities.

Among his many accomplishments, Hassan is the founder and host of the Diversity Dinner, an annual, multicultural event that invites a wide range of people from diverse communities in Kingston to come together to share a meal, learn about each other’s cultures, create friendships, and celebrate similarities and differences.

Hassan also hosts a regular talk show on the local cable TV channel YourTV called Community Voices with Jimmy Hassan, which addresses broader socio-political issues in our community. He is the Founder and Director of Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation, an organization that aims to create a community that understands, embraces and respects everyone’s cultural, religious, and ethnic beliefs as fellow Canadians.

In addition, Hassan has served as a member of the Donors Advisory Committee at the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (2015-17), was the Social Coordinator of the Islamic Society of Kingston (2017-18), and acted as the Secretary of the Pakistan Canada Association of Kingston (2015-16).

His support touches many other organizations in the Kingston community whether religious, cultural, ethical or youth based.

 “I’m incredibly honoured to be receiving the Community Builder Award in recognition of the importance of creating true change and awareness around the need for diversity in our community,” says Hassan. “We all share a responsibility to make our City and our Country better for everyone and to do this we must value the importance of recognizing how diversity strengthens our community.”

On Friday, July 12, Hassan and Tina Bailey, Executive Director of CFKA, presented a $1,000 cheque to the Seniors Association Kingston Region. As a part of the Community Builder Award, Hassan was able to donate the money to a charity of his choice.

“I know the good work the Seniors Association does in the community, and I want to support them and highlight to all of Kingston the work they do,” says Hassan. “I’ll be a senior one day, and I want them to be there when I am.”

To learn more about the Community Builder Award, visit https://www.cfka.org/community-builder-award/.