Meet The Team

Executive Director

DuAA Al-aghar 

Duaa Al-Aghar has a master’s degree in computer engineering and has a variety of work and educational experiences in Canada and overseas. After working as a professor at the university for almost 8 years, she came to Canada in 2006. Since then, Duaa has worked closely with diverse populations, mainly underprivileged children and families in marginalized communities in the Waterloo region, as a community leader,  Web Designer, and Database specialist. Ms. Al-Aghar has received many
awards for her work in community involvement & development. Over the years, she has created and
fostered welcoming spaces and developed inclusive intercultural environments that provide a sense of
belonging for immigrant families and individuals.

Languages: English, Arabic

Counsellor 

Rozina Shaheen

Community Engagement Coordinator and Counsellor, Muslim Social Services Waterloo Region. Rozina is a registered social worker. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University with specialization in individuals, families, and group counselling. She also has a certification in addictions. Rozina has 10 + years of community development experience in Kitchener - Waterloo area. She also has certification in Leadership and Management. Rozina has a strong passion to support individuals and families with settlement, parenting and mental health related challenges.

Community Connector

Hanin Al Hassan

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Community Connector

Amal Al hassan

Amal Alhasan has over 20 years of experience working in community outreach and community building in both

Canada and her home city Damascus. Amal received a
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Diploma in Education and a Master’s in Developmental Psychology with a focus on early childhood development. She worked as school principal for over 10 years, spearheading UNICEF and UNRWA initiatives to develop curriculums for early childhood education for children in the region. Upon emigrating to Canada, Amal started volunteering with various organizations providing community and refugee support. She received her Early Childhood Education equivalency in Ontario and completed many mental health and leadership programs including the Peer Health Worker certificate. Her dedication to the community earned her the World Refugee Day Award of Distinction in 2018. Amal currently works with House of Friendship leading and facilitating programs for children and women. Amal is also a Community Connector and Facilitator with Muslim Social Services, providing support for women in the community.

psychotherapist Rp(Q)

Shiwan Ibramhim

My name is Shiwan Ibrahim, I am a student with Yorkville University. I am currently completing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) and working as a practicum student with Muslim Social Services. I received my undergraduate’s degree from Laurentian University, specialization in Psychology. I am capable of providing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy interventions (CBT) as well as Trauma informed therapy (while supervised). I hold the RP(Q) status with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). 

Social Worker (msW) (RSW)

Haifa Staiti

I am a registered social worker and psychotherapist with experience providing counselling support for both individuals and groups. I work with people living with
complex and multidimensional difficulties relating to depression, anxiety, trauma, and mental health conditions.

My work includes a deep commitment to the well-
being of my clients and my passion is to guide my clients on the journey to make the shift from surviving to thriving. I enjoy working with people of all ages and their families. I am committed to a trauma-informed, person-centered, culturally responsive, and strength-based approach in my practice. I work collaboratively with my clients from a non-judgmental, empathetic place, to find clarity and gain insight into what is needed to make meaningful changes to their life.