About us
Hidaayah House is a Black-led, Black-serving organization rooted in Toronto’s Somali community. We’re Muslim-founded and faith-rooted, and our doors are open to any young person who needs support.
Hidaayah means guidance in Arabic.
The lighthouse in our logo is the same idea: a steady light for young people moving through their hardest moments. It helps you see where you are and find your way.
We started as a group of young people who had lived through the hardest parts of our neighbourhoods.
Top-down programs weren’t reaching us, so we built our own. What began as arts events and healing spaces grew into a full community mental health and crisis response model.
Founded in 2019. Incorporated as a non-profit in 2021.
One continuous path. You can come in, get support, build skills, and eventually support others.
Most people first meet us at an event, a workshop or in a public space. No appointment. No expectations. The door is always open.
Our PEERS team responds, listens and helps with mental health, violence, family conflict, housing and other urgent needs, before formal systems lose the person.
Some people join the Hidaayah Huddle: 12 weeks of skills training and certifications (MHFA, ASIST, CPI and CPR).
Graduates become mentors, peer responders and Lighthouse Line operators. The cycle repeats and the community gets stronger from the inside out.
In May 2026 we brought together eight Somali-serving and youth-focused organizations to plan for the long term:
Our work has been supported by the City of Toronto, Canadian Heritage, the Government of Canada and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Read about our intentions, meet the team, or reach out directly.
.png)
