Biography:
My path has been one of over twenty-five years of service as an educator, counsellor, and community leader, a journey that began in Turkiye and has found its deepest expression here in Canada since 2003. Calgary has become my home, and from my earliest days here, I have been driven by a passion to support and empower those around me, particularly our youth. My initial work in Canada at the City of Ottawa’s Crime Prevention unit solidified my belief that proactive guidance and mentorship are the most powerful tools we have to help young people build successful lives and avoid paths of conflict. This focus on building bridges extended to my work as a Correctional Chaplain in 2016. For more than six years, serving in provincial and federal institutions like the Calgary Remand Centre, Bowden, and Drumheller, I have worked on the front lines, providing spiritual and personal counselling to inmates. In this role, I have coached individuals through crises, developed rehabilitative programs, and worked to build relationships between inmates and the community resources waiting for them. Through this work, I have seen firsthand the immense challenges individuals face both during incarceration and upon release. It has given me a profound appreciation for the IRES mission. My experiences have shown me that without a strong, supportive network that addresses prevention, in-prison rehabilitation, and post-release reintegration, the cycle of crime is incredibly difficult to break. My life’s work, rooted in my education in Theology and Sociology, has always been about helping people see their potential and find their footing, whether they are a student in a classroom, a newcomer to Canada, or an inmate seeking a new beginning.
Profession:
Chaplain
Why is IRES important to you that you are investing your time and resources in it?
IRES represents the fundamental, holistic solution I’ve seen my entire career need. Throughout my career, I’ve strived to help people at every stage of the justice system, from youth at risk of crime to individuals seeking salvation within prison walls. IRES is vital because, as far as I’ve seen, it’s the first organization that connects all the dots. It doesn’t focus on just one piece of the puzzle; it creates a “continuum of care” that addresses prevention, in-prison support, and reintegration. Investing in IRES, for me, is investing in a concrete, compassionate, and effective strategy to “Mend Broken Ties.” I believe that by mending the bonds between individuals, their faith, and their communities, we not only reduce crime, but also revitalize hope and empower people to build lives of purpose and dignity.
Hobbies:
Socializing, Hiking, Travelling
Cultural Heritage:
Turkish
Social Link: