Welcome to Parya

Parya was founded in 2001 by Ahmad Reza Tabrizi, frustrated to watch his parents and other senior members of the Iranian community becoming isolated and withdrawn due to the lack of activities offered in their own language, he started Parya, the first Iranian community center in the world.

Parya quickly earned praise and support from the community and the Canadian government. By 2002, Parya incorporated and became a registered charity and, by 2011, had grown into a 10,000-square-foot centre. Today, Payra is a flagship for newcomers to Canada, offering events, sports programming, educational courses, and integration services for all ages in Farsi, Russian, Chinese, French and English.

Arriving in Canada is only the first step of a newcomer’s journey to Canada. Regardless of immigration status or country of origin – you’re at home at Payra, wherever you’re from.

Wherever you’re from, you’re at home here.

Our vision

To support newcomers as they become active Canadian citizens while celebrating their cultural heritage.

To facilitate healthy and successful settlement in Canada by removing barriers and opening access to critical programs and services.

To build community by bringing different cultures and generations together under one roof.

Our Equity and Inclusivity Statement

At home we have built,
Its owners, all of us,
Its canopy, Parya

We believe every person has the right to live, learn and work in an environment where they are treated with equality and respect. 

Parya programs are conducted without discrimination. We have zero tolerance for harassment and discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, race, ancestry, place of origin, ethnic origin, citizenship, colour, creed, age, marital status, family status or disability, which are defined in the Human Rights Code as against the law. 

This policy applies to everyone associated with Parya, including our employees, clients, volunteers, Board of Directors, committee members, instructors and guests of our facilities.

A house our community built

Payra is a 10,000-square-foot facility that is wheelchair accessible and equipped with the following:

  • Classrooms, including a computer lab 

  • Meeting room equipped with a projector,  whiteboard and a 62-inch screen

  • An acoustic auditorium with a capacity for 210 guests, equipped with a raised stage and AV

  • Café and catering

  • A library of over 3000 books for all ages and spanning all genres

  • Private consultation room

  • Outdoor event space with BBQs 

  • Ample free parking

The team behind Payra 

Ahmad Reza Tabrizi
Founder & President

Founder and Chair of the Parya Trillium Foundation, Ahmad Tabrizi is an Iranian–Canadian entrepreneur known for his philanthropy in Canada and Iran. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the National Ethnic Press Council of Canada’s Distinction in Business Award, and was named a Pioneer for Change by Skills for Change. Ahmad received the province’s highest honour, the Order of Ontario, in 2020. 

Foroozan Jalaeifar
Executive Director

A pillar of Parya since its inception in 2002, Foroozan Jalaeifar has been a volunteer, served as the facility’s secretary/administrator, and by 2011 was overseeing operations and managing Payra’s programming. Foroozan was named Executive Director in 2019 and is tireless in her dedication to this community.

Our Board of Directors

Omid Alaei, Vice President

Mandana Motamedi, Treasurer

Babak Sarshar, Board member

Dr.Bahram Jam, Board member

Azin Tabrizi, Board member

Ala Mohaghegh, Board member

Our staff

Jacky Shen, Settlement worker and Computer Instructor​

Nazanin Mansouri, Settlement Coordinator

Nancy Hiw, Computer Instructor and Resume Critic

Become a volunteer and make a difference in someone’s life