Hirey Abdikarim is Waterloo's Senior of the Year

The City of Waterloo and the Age Friendly Multi-Agency Committee are pleased to announce this year’s Senior of the Year is Hirey Abdikarim. Hirey has been an active member of the Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region for over 10 years, supporting the organization’s youth sports programs.

Not only has Hirey coached the Somali Canadian Association basketball program, he’s also been a mentor, friend and father figure to many of the boys with whom he has worked. The basketball program provides young people with a safe and accessible space to develop skills, friendships and an enjoyable sporting experience. Volunteers in the program, like Hirey, have enabled members of the basketball program to develop sufficient skills to compete locally and regionally in tournaments.

Hirey is a role model to local youth, especially in the Somali community. His ability to create positive relationships with young people has fostered an environment where the youth feel safe, supported to ask questions and able to have dialogues about the issues important to them. Hirey’s approach has been to create a welcoming and safe environment with no judgment. In return, the young people have learned about fair play and the value of open communication.

In the best sense of the term, Hirey Abdikarim is a community builder. His leadership, dedication, commitment and hard work over the years have made a significant difference in the lives of many young people in Waterloo Region. He also serves as a role model for other older adults who can see the benefit of contributing to the enhancement of young lives.

The City of Waterloo is honoured to name Hirey Abdikarim as the 2023 Senior of the Year.

The Senior of the Year award will be presented to Hirey Abdikarim in June. Visit Waterloo's civic awards for more information about past winners of this award. For more information about other age-friendly initiatives visit waterloo.ca/agefriendly

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Media contact
Shirley Luu
Communications Consultant
shirley.luu@waterloo.ca

City of Waterloo contact
Pamela Albrecht
Community Outreach Coordinator
pamela.albrecht@waterloo.ca

Age-friendly Waterloo contact:
Rick Chambers
rchambers411@gmail.com