Bridge to Oasis Foundation

Welcome to Bridge to Oasis Foundation, where compassion meets community. Our mission is to uplift and prioritize the well-being of Seniors of African and Caribbean descent in Canada. In the face of the ongoing pandemic, these seniors, often overlooked, represent a resilient and invaluable part of our society.

We operate with utmost transparency and accountability. Our financial records are available for public scrutiny, ensuring that every donation and contribution is directed towards impactful programs and services. We believe in fostering trust and building lasting partnerships to create a positive change within the community.

Helping Afro-Canadian seniors from all countries in Africa, the Caribbean

$40,000

Value of service annually

5,285

Hours of Service

300

Seniors Provided Service

3,285

Volunteers Hours

Bukola Ojemakinde

Executive Director

Bukola Ojemakinde is a Chemical Engineer by profession and is deeply passionate about women’s and seniors’ issues. She is married to David Ojemakinde, and they have two lovely children named Danielle and David Ojemakinde.

Her drive to promote emotional well-being for women and young ladies of color led her to establish the Ladies in the Family Foundation (LIFF) in 2017. LIFF is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide a platform where women can freely discuss sensitive issues, resulting in healthier relationships with themselves and others.

Recently, Bukola also founded the Bridge to Oasis (BTO) Foundation, which focuses on meeting the needs of Black and African seniors. She currently serves as the president and executive director of this foundation. Bukola has a caring nature, possessing empathy and compassion, and she willingly takes on roles where she can be a voice for the voiceless. When she is not working or volunteering, Bukola enjoys making new friends, reading, learning new languages, and traveling.

Funders & Partners

As a federally and provincially registered not-for profit organization, we rely on our generous community to enable us to continually supplement the care and support to African Seniors.

Meet The Board of Directors

Helping Seniors of African and Caribbean descent in Canada

Our Vision & Values

Vision: The premier collaborative resource that builds the belonging, health and confidence of seniors of African and Caribbean descent in Canada, towards strengthening an engaged community that celebrates its diverse ethno-cultural roots.

Mission: Bridge to Oasis Foundation’s mission is to work collaboratively with community partners and caregivers, to enhance the lives of seniors of African and Caribbean descent in Canada.

BTO will educate seniors about available services, directly provide services, where appropriate, promote solutions to service gaps, and create opportunities for social interaction, learning, and celebration of cultural roots.

Community-Centric Approach

At the heart of our foundation is a community-centric approach that goes beyond providing services. We actively engage with the diverse stories and backgrounds of the seniors we serve, fostering an inclusive environment that reflects the richness of their heritage.

By doing so, we aim to create a lasting impact on the well-being and quality of life for these individuals.

Our Seniors Need You

Your support is crucial in helping us provide a better quality of life for these deserving individuals. We invite you to join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our seniors.

Why Choose us?

Bridge to Oasis Foundation

Inclusivity: We are committed to inclusivity, recognizing and celebrating the unique contributions of Seniors of African and Caribbean descent in Canada.

Cultural Heritage: Our programs are designed to honor and preserve the cultural heritage of the communities we serve, promoting a sense of identity and pride.

Holistic Well-being: Bridge to Oasis Foundation takes a holistic approach to the well-being of seniors, addressing physical, mental, and social aspects of their lives.

Busola Shoneye

Board Chair

Busola Shoneye is a supply chain professional, he has 10 years worth of experience in the field and functions, including: procurement, planning, inventory, lean thinking and continuous improvement.

Busola has also served as a welfare officer for 8 years with the Christ Apostolic Church (a gospel and charity organization) in Nigeria, assisting the church to collate the needs of members and dwellers in the community where the parish is located.

Busola brings passion, commitment and planning attributes to the board of BTO

Bukola Ojemakinde

Executive Director

Bukola Ojemakinde is a Chemical engineer by profession & she is also very passionate about women and senior issues. Her drive to promote wholesome emotional well-being for women and young ladies of color motivated her to found Ladies in the Family Foundation (LIFF) in 2017, a not- for -profit organization whose mission is to provide the tools and platform where women can discuss sensitive issues freely resulting in healthier relationship-building with self and others.

Bukola also recently founded Bridge to Oasis (BTO) Foundation to cater to the needs of Black and African seniors and is the current president and executive director. Bukola loves caring for others, has a heart of empathy and compassion and humbly takes on roles where she is being a voice to the voiceless. When Bukola is not working or volunteering, she enjoys making new friends, reading, learning new languages and traveling.

Bukola is married to David Ojemakinde and has two lovely children, Danielle and David Ojemakinde

Adelle Njikam Okiei

Advisor - Health & Research

Adelle Njikam Okiei is a community pharmacist with Calgary Coop Pharmacy in Calgary, Alberta. She started her pharmaceutical career in 2006 in the United Kingdom and relocated to Canada in 2015.

Adelle is an ardent lover of volunteering, event planning and community service. She is always eager for an opportunity to learn more and attain greater personal development to be able to achieve a larger impact in the lives of even more people in her community.

She is married to Valentine Okiei and has three children Florianna, Jayden and Shaylan.

Kate Koei

Director at Large

Kate is a culturally sensitive, trauma-informed counsellor, certified grief educator and speaker who is passionate about working with immigrants and culturally different individuals, couples and families, supporting them in a way that honors their faith, cultural values and beliefs.

Her focus is in the areas of trauma, grief and loss due to death, life transitions like divorce/separation, immigration, terminal health diagnosis; domestic violence, cross-cultural and immigrant challenges and relationship challenges.

Funbi Salami

Director of Legal Services

Funbi brings a wealth of expertise in commercial law, business advisory, and risk management from her extensive international career. With a passion for community development, Funbi has generously volunteered with organizations like Pro Bono Law Alberta, United Way of Calgary and Area, IntegralOrg, and Voices for Sudan (USA). Currently an Associate at Langford Law, Funbi holds a Master of Laws degree in International Business and Economic Law from Georgetown University Law Center, Washington DC, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Her commitment to adding value to every organization she’s part of and her dedication to community growth make her a valuable asset to our team. Outside of her legal endeavors, Funbi finds joy in long-distance running. We are excited to embark on this journey with Funbi Salami, and we look forward to the positive impact she will bring to Bridge to Oasis’s mission of empowering and supporting our vibrant community of Black seniors in Calgary.