ABOUT CCKF
The history of our beautiful city, Kingston, is as diverse as the people that call it home. Originally a French trading post named “Cataraqui”, it only became known as Kingston when the British took over in the mid-eighteenth century. Back then there were just three distinct cultures that were the overwhelming majority, but the range and prevalence of our demographics grow exponentially every year. Now our old city, sitting between the beginning of the St. Lawrence River and the mouth of the Cataraqui River is been a leading example of what it means to be Canadian and the cultural diversity that makes our true north strong and free.
The Canadian Colours of Kingston Foundation aims to continue to foster and promote the diversity, inclusion and equity that has made Kingston such a harmonious city for all Canadians. We believe that the diverse cultures and religions that make up our great city should be a source of strength. Equity goes hand-in-hand with Canadian values and that, regardless of background, beliefs, and culture, we all have the right to feel welcome and at peace with our neighbours. We can always celebrate and appreciate the individual cultural differences of our fellow Canadians and doing so is the true Canadian way. We created the Canadian Colours of Kingston Foundation to bring our different cultures together and build a city of understanding and communication by changing the narrative and understanding of true diversity.
MISSION & VALUES
CCKF’s goal is to create a community that understands, embraces and celebrates everyone’s cultural, religious and/or ethnic backgrounds to pass down the Canadian value of multicultrualism to the generations after us. This can only be done together, by accepting and following the Canadian values, culture, etc. we all share in this country. This will result in a community that is truly diverse with a strong connection to Canadian spirit.
Acceptance & Understanding
Tolerance and appreciation of our ethnic, cultural, religious, and identity diversity start with a “Hello”. By establishing open and honest channels of communication we can create a productive and ongoing dialogue that helps all who engage build a greater understanding and compassion for their fellow Canadians.
The Kingston area has one of the most diverse populations in the country, with a place of worship for tens of religions, dozens of spoken languages by hundreds of different ethnic backgrounds, and thousands of individual stories or histories.
While we may all be very different, we’re united in the belief that Canada offers the best opportunity for us and our families and we are all proud to be living in this country. When we open our hearts and minds to engaging with our fellow Kingstonians, we can all begin to see that in our Canadian pride, we are all the same. So the CCKF urges you to take the first step and say “Hello!” to someone new.
Learning & Growing With History
Just like ancient fables, the stories we can tell can teach us all. Everyone has their own history and customs, experiences that shape our beliefs and perspectives of what it means to be a Canadian. Many of us have a unique ethnic background with its own culture and we cannot be made to feel like it should be left behind or forgotten. Many others have a long history in Canada, with traditions that date back centuries, and those traditions should never be made to be forgotten.
Our traditions and beliefs are a valuable part of who we are, and our fellow Canadians can benefit from learning about our past and we can grow by learning about theirs. They present ways of thinking and solutions that you may never have considered before, enriching ideas that you never would have learned of otherwise. We all should learn from our fellow Canadians and work towards a greater country.
Our mission is to facilitate this experience and encourage the various individuals in our community to come together and share their experiences. Accepting and learning about the various cultures that make up our community. When we create a space for everyone to learn from and share with each other, we create the best version of our city and nation that we can, little by little.
A Forum For Guidance
When you first arrive in a new country it can be a difficult transition – even in a country as open and tolerant as Canada. You may not be familiar with the customs, the language, or the different beliefs and backgrounds that you can see in the country and that is ok.
Our foundation recognizes the challenges that new Canadians are facing and we aim to help bridge that gap. We want to be a place of guidance that will help you learn about what it means to be a Canadian in a city like Kingston. To connect you with your new friends and neighbours and feel that you are where you belong from day one.
It’s our goal to show you how to truly integrate into Canadian society and adopt its values, by helping our city be as welcoming as it can be. The road that brought us here and made us part of the Canadian family is different for everyone, but it has reached the same destination every time and now that we’ve chosen Canada as our new home, we need to help share its values with each other. That way, we can all become true Canadians
The Path Forward
One of the greatest things about Canada is that we can practice our customs and traditions freely. Canada is a country dedicated to multiculturalism and diversity in everything it does. It was founded on a belief that all Canadians, new and old, bring with them something valuable to share with the country. We believe that the rich and diverse cultural past of our ancestors should be celebrated and remembered.
The Colours of Kingston Foundation believes strongly in the importance of every story, belief, background, and individual that makes up our community. There’s no reason we can’t celebrate the customs and traditions of our ancestry in our homes and share them with our community. Those traditions can and should be valued, as that is the Canadian way.
Our country and city are a rich mosaic of cultural diversity that makes us stronger with each piece. We also have a strong Canadian value system which enables so many different cultures to live and together we create a brilliant and vibrant community to live in for generations.
NEWS & GALLERY
A Night of Culture, Unity, and Celebration
The Diversity Dinner is an annual gathering that brings together people from all backgrounds to share a meal, exchange stories, and celebrate diversity in Kingston. It’s an evening filled with delicious food, inspiring speeches, cultural performances, and a strong sense of community spirit.Dates & Venue – Coming Soon!
Stay tuned for the official date and venue announcement in the coming weeks! This year’s event promises to be bigger and better, with special guests, performances, and a shared commitment to inclusion, acceptance, and unity.Why You Should Attend
🌍 Experience diverse cuisines from various cultures 🎤 Listen to inspiring stories from community leaders 💃 Enjoy cultural performances showcasing Kingston’s rich heritage 🤝 Connect with like-minded individuals who believe in inclusivityJoin the Celebration
This event is open to everyone, and we encourage community members, businesses, and organizations to get involved, attend, or support this meaningful initiative. Stay tuned for more details, and follow #DiversityDinner2025 for updates! For inquiries or sponsorship opportunities, reach out to Jimmy Hassan or CCKF. Let’s come together to celebrate diversity and build a stronger, more inclusive Kingston! #DiversityDinner #KingstonCares #CCKF #CommunityUnity #MulticulturalCelebration
Our Goal: 100 Brand New Blankets
This year, the goal is to purchase and donate 100 brand new blankets to provide warmth and comfort to individuals struggling with homelessness. The community’s support is essential to achieving this goal and ensuring that no one is left out in the cold.
How You Can Help
The Blanket Drive is currently in progress, and donations are welcome! Here’s how you can contribute: 🧥 Donate a new blanket – Every donation directly helps someone in need. 💵 Make a financial contribution – Funds will go toward purchasing blankets for distribution. 📍 Spread the word – Share the initiative with friends, family, and on social media using #KingstonBlanketDrive.
Join the Movement of Kindness
The Blanket Drive 2025 is more than just a donation campaign—it’s about community, compassion, and making a tangible impact. With your help, we can ensure that Kingston’s most vulnerable residents have warmth and comfort during the harshest months of the year.
We will continue to update this blog as the initiative progresses, sharing milestones and success stories along the way. Stay tuned for more details on donation locations and distribution efforts!
To get involved or contribute, reach out to Jimmy Hassan or the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation today.
Let’s spread warmth, one blanket at a time!
#BlanketDrive2025 #CommunitySupport #KingstonCares #CCKF #SpreadWarmth
A Community-Driven Effort
The 2024 Santa Slices Project set out with an ambitious goal: donating 1,111 slices to local charities, shelters, and community organizations. However, thanks to overwhelming community support, the initiative far exceeded this target, distributing over 2,500 slices by the end of the campaign.
Making a Difference, One Slice at a Time
The initiative kicked off on December 10, 2024, with MP Mark Gerretsen and his wife, Vanessa, helping prepare the first batch of 100 slices for Tipi Moza – Iron Homes. From there, the momentum grew, with volunteers and donors from all walks of life joining hands to support the cause.
Throughout the month, Santa Slices delivered fresh pizzas to organizations such as: 🍕 St. Vincent de Paul Society – 540+ slices 🍕 Martha’s Table & Two Dawn House Shelters – 400+ slices 🍕 Bridges Kingston, Lunch by George & Integrated Care Hub – 500+ slices 🍕 Kingston Interval House & Adelaide Shelter – 200+ slices
Leaders & Businesses Joining the Cause
The Santa Slices Initiative received immense support from community leaders, city officials, and local businesses, including: ✔️ Mayor Bryan Paterson & MPP Ted Hsu – Helping prepare 300 slices ✔️ The Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment (PWOR) – Donating 200 slices ✔️ Dr. Waji Khan (Cataraqui Woods Dentistry) – Donating $1,000 for an additional 1,000 slices ✔️ Kingston Chief of Police Scott Fraser & Councillor Wendy Stephen – Assisting with final deliveries
The initiative’s success was a testament to Kingston’s incredible spirit of generosity. Businesses, city officials, volunteers, and community organizations all came together to ensure that those in need were fed and felt the warmth of the holiday season.
Mission Accomplished: More Than Just Pizza
On January 4, 2025, the Santa Slices Initiative officially wrapped up, surpassing its goal with a final donation of 200 slices to Kingston Interval House and Adelaide Shelter. Jimmy Hassan, along with Councillor Wendy Stephen and Rukhsana Rehman, led the last batch of deliveries, ending the initiative on a high note.
The success of Santa Slices 2024 proves that small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect of generosity and hope. This project wasn’t just about pizza—it was about coming together as a community to share, uplift, and support one another.
Looking Ahead: A Tradition of Giving
With each passing year, the Santa Slices Initiative continues to grow, inspiring more people to give back and make a difference. Thanks to the leadership of Jimmy Hassan and the support of volunteers, donors, and sponsors, Kingston remains a shining example of what it means to care for one another.
If you’d like to contribute or get involved in next year’s Santa Slices Initiative, stay connected through the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation (CCKF) and consider donating or volunteering.
Together, we can make the holidays brighter, one slice at a time.
#SantaSlices #CommunitySpirit #GivingBack #KingstonCares 🍕❤️
PHOTO GALLERY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jimmy Hassan
Founder and President
Franchise Owner of Pizza Pizza at 705-277 Bath Road
Producer/Host Community Voices @YourTV (Cogeco)
City Counsellor, Trillium District, Kingston, Ontario
Deputy Mayor, Kingston, Ontario
Originally from Pakistan, Jimmy immigrated to California in 1994, moving to Canada in 1998. After living and working for several years in Montreal and Toronto, Jimmy and his wife settled in Kingston where he started a business, his family, and the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation.
Cell: 613-888-6760 | Email: jimmyhassan@hotmail.com
Coordinator-CCKF
Rumit Sohal | Cell: 613-328-8764 | Email: rumit_sohal@yahoo.ca
OUR COMMUNITY
The Canadian Colours Kingston Community
CCKF’s membership represents a large portion of the Canadian community in the Kingston area. We share our beliefs with new Canadians, citizens who were born and raised, and the indigenous people who have occupied this land for generations before us. We want to continue to share these beliefs with our future generations of Kingstonians. Our strengths come from our differences and sharing these stories with one another will help us all grow and learn together while providing a path to empower and educate new and incoming Canadians. Canada is our home, and we share our experiences in order to further build out a strong, diverse community with strong connections to Canadian values.
CCKF hosts regular events, fundraisers, and community-led programs. If you are interested in learning more, getting involved or showing your support, check our NEWS & GALLERY section for updates.