About Us
At BIFA Community Services, we are dedicated to providing culturally aware and supportive programs to those in need, with a predominant focus on the Caribbean, Black, and African communities of Canada.
Our Mission
We deeply understand the difficulties in navigating the criminal justice system and reintegration processes.
We are committed to providing culturally responsive support to the African, Caribbean and Black community to support successful rehabilitation and strengthen our communities.
We are a volunteer-run organization, led by a Board of Directors composed of loved ones and family members of current and former inmates, as well as justice stakeholders and professionals that work within the criminal justice sector in Canada.
board of directors
Opal McKenzie
Board Member
Opal McKenzie is the President of Keep6ixOrg, and actively serves her community with over 20+ years of experience in various volunteer and employment capacities. Opal has experience supporting her community in conflict resolution and crisis intervention, working with multiple outreach and mobile crisis teams. She provides support to clients and their families, with a diverse caseload, ensuring that the societal disadvantages of those from marginalized communities are considered. Opal sat on the board of the Toronto Adventist District School Board from 1996-2017, and served as vice-chair on the board from 2004-2006. From 1999-2018 Opal volunteered with Black Business Professional Association working on the yearly Martin Luther King Jr. production. Opal is passionate about helping individuals realize and achieve their full potential, prioritizing her focus on the Black community to ensure full support for success.
Jody Yaa Dunn
Board Member
Jody Yaa Dunn is a culturally responsive social service professional, with a wealth of experience in team management, social justice initiatives and developing robust service-delivery models from a client-centred lens. In addition to running a consulting company, Jody has managed initiatives for those experiencing conflict with the law and often facing the intersectionality of access to education, housing, employability, mental health challenges and involvement within the child welfare system.
Jody Yaa is passionate about working with organizations to combat anti-Black racism by addressing multiple barriers within our communities to create systemic change. She enjoys conducting needs assessments, community consultations and facilitating training that focuses on self-development, team building, management strategies and culturally responsive service delivery for the African, Caribbean and Black community.
There is an African Proverb that states, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Jody Yaa believes community work must happen from a unified approach at all levels and is skilled in connecting with staff, participants and community stakeholders to gain a real understanding of service needs and realistic outcomes.