Brique par brique builds infrastructure for social change.
By nurturing grassroots leadership, amplifying cultural wealth and cultivating solidarity, we are building a home for freedom to grow, brick by brick, in and beyond Parc-Extension.
The Brique par brique team, April 2026
About us
Brique par brique is a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 by community organizers and professionals of colour in order to respond innovatively and from a social justice perspective to the need for affordable housing in the gentrifying and multicultural Parc-Extension neighborhood.
In addition to the development of affordable housing, our cultural centre is a place where we cultivate solidarity and leverage community assets with the goal of improving the living conditions of diverse low-income residents, notably newcomers, asylum seekers and other immigrants facing discrimination. Through our community activities and cultural programs, we facilitate a welcoming and accessible space for expression, with the aim of building bridges between people and organizations, and nurturing the talents and aspirations of people in and beyond Parc-Extension.
Community Economic Development
Working in close collaboration with strategic partners and community members to nurture solidarity and grassroots leadership, activities and initiatives that can drive local developments directly benefiting residents facing systemic barriers.
Community Housing and Spaces
Developing a stock of affordable, quality, and secure community housing and spaces in Parc-Extension that host a range of empowering activities and services by and for the members of our community.
Community Research
Facilitating, participating in and disseminating research that supports our social mission and impact. Recent research projects we led or participated in pertained to social finance, systemic racism, and the digital divide in Parc-Extension.
Learn more
Follow the links below to learn more about the organization and our projects.
Our Timeline
2016
BxB is established as a non-profit organization, with the ambition of building a housing project that puts equity first, empowers tenants, and provides communal creative and residential space.
2017-2018
Launched our first Community Bonds campaign. Established as Quebec's largest and Canada's second-largest provider of community bonds in the residential sector, raising $367,000 from 40 investors.
2019
Received a $100,000 grant from the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC) to document our community bond model.
2020
Assigned as leading group to develop a community housing project at 8600-8618 Av. de L'Épée through AccèsLogis provincial program.
2021
Acquired 633 Av. Beaumont for the creation of our cultural center and raised $35k for renovations.
2022
AccèsLogis program is abolished, threatening the continuation of the housing project. BxB co-authored a letter with Comité d’Action de Parc-Extension pushing for affordable housing in Parc-Extension. → Restored funding for the housing project on De l’Épée.
2023
Organized + 250 activities at the center in collaboration with partners since opening. BxB now receives support from many foundations and institutions.
2024
Obtained funding from the Community Housing Transformation Centre to develop a digital platform supporting local resource-sharing for community housing development. Brique par brique obtains charitable status.
New Projects
2024
Fall 2024-Winter 2025: Preliminary project and feasibility studies, Site prospection, Community and investor consultations.
2025
Winter 2025 through Summer 2025: Financing and Community Bond Campaign, Purchase agreement
Summer 2025: Project Definition & Land Acquisition
Fall 2025: Design Development
2026
Winter to Spring 2026: Permitting and Construction
Summer 2026: Building Operation
Meet the team
We are a team of staff and affiliate community organizers with backgrounds in real estate, project management, cultural and community organizing, and public health. Our steering and advisory committee, comprising board members, staff and community members, is our main governing body.
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—Founder & Director
Faiz' mission is to nurture creative energy in diverse communities. Having studied International Development at McGill, followed by 20 years of experience in the community sector and in both private and public real estate, Faiz appreciates the challenges and opportunities that arise from de-commodifying the city and making it about people and their communities.
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—Strategic development for housing & community centre projects
developpement@briqueparbrique.com
With a master’s degree in Urban Planning from the Université de Montréal and a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Modern Languages, Laurent is particularly interested in housing issues, urban development, and the creation of inclusive and supportive communities. His professional experience includes working on affordable housing issues with the urban planning firm 2LH, as well as on co-ownership matters at the Regroupement des gestionnaires et copropriétaires du Québec (RGCQ). At Brique par brique, he contributes to the development of community real estate projects through property prospecting, the assessment of development opportunities, and stakeholder engagement. Until recently, Laurent hosted a radio show on CISM, where he spent several years exploring civic engagement and local politics.
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—Director of Strategic Development
Amanda ensures Brique par brique has the strategies, resources, and organizational structures needed for sustainable growth. Since 2021, she has helped manage and develop its operations, funding, communications, and programs for residents.
She brings over ten years of experience across the community, cultural, and social solidarity economy sectors in Canada, the United States, and the UAE. She has raised millions of dollars for community-led initiatives through diversified financing strategies. She is also an affiliate facilitator with the Centre for Community Organizations (COCo) and co-founded NAVEL, which supported interdisciplinary cultural workers in Los Angeles from 2018 to 2025.
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—Parc-Exchange coordinator
Originally from Pakistan, Arman is carving his path in Montreal's world of creative technology. His studies in Computation Arts at Concordia University fueled his drive to blend various technical and software-based skills to envision new solutions to problems and experiences. Collaboration is at his core, believing that diverse collective efforts lead to unparalleled innovations.
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—Projects & Community engagement coordinator
Amber Goveas is an architecture graduate committed to leveraging design to build resilient communities. Her work at Brique par brique is rooted in a passion for creating spaces that encourage collective action and solidarity within diasporic groups. As community coordinator, Amber leads grassroots outreach, consultations and event planning, ensuring strong attendance and community involvement.
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—Assistant Coordinator, Parc-Exchange & Community Engagement
exchange@briqueparbrique.comHarjinder supports both the coordination of Parc-Exchange and community engagement across Parc-Extension. She plays a key role in facilitating service exchanges, maintaining relationships with participants, and building connections with other local organizations to support Brique par Brique’s broader mission. With a background in teaching and volunteer work, Harjinder brings care, structure, and strong communication skills to her role. She speaks English, Punjabi, and Hindi, and has been an active member of the Parc-Ex community since 2020.
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—Collaborator on cultural & placemaking initiatives
Asad is a architect and multidisciplinary artist. He founded Cinema 73, a community cinema project in a garage in Parkistan exploring ideas of resistance and appropriation of the city. He holds two MAs, one in Architecture and one in Urban design.
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—Place-caring & Administration assistant
admin@briqueparbrique.comMary is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at Concordia University in Sociology. As an administrative and human resources assistant of brique par brique, Mary is dedicated to improving the organization's efficiency while supporting her team members in advancing and promoting Brique par brique’s mission to help those in the community. She finds great fulfillment in contributing to initiatives that create a meaningful, positive impact and takes pride in helping bring that vision to life.
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—Activities and Outreach coordinator
beaumont@briqueparbrique.comMaya has a diverse set of experiences that intersect arts and culture and community building. As Activities and Outreach coordinator, Maya’s focus is on fostering genuine relationships and creating welcoming and collaborative environments. Outside of work, she teaches toddlers to skateboard and loves to dance.
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—Communications Intern
Santiago is a photographer and videographer from Mexico City. He currently lives in Montreal, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Intermedia at Concordia University.
Board Members
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Alter-Mode Community Coordinator
altermode@briqueparbrique.com
With a background in Fine Arts and Fashion Design, Eugenia brings years of experience as a seamstress and small business owner to her role as Alter-Mode Community Coordinator. Eugenia uses her creative and organizational skills to help build community initiatives and empower members. Deeply committed to textile sustainability, she has firsthand expertise in clothing repair and is in the midst of creating the Montreal Clothing Repair Map to promote circular fashion. Outside of work, she is an avid gardener and loves spending time in nature.
We continued to be moved and inspired by our late colleagues, Leonora King and Masoon Balouch, who led Parc-Ex Curry Collective and Connections, respectively. Their work and memory are a gift we treasure.
Other Steering Members
Kwabena amoateng, sorraya guembhyt, iyan hayadi, Sophie Le-Phat Ho (Founding Member, Former Board Member), simone chen (Former Board Member), sydney bhalla (Former board member).
Join the team!
We are always looking to grow and strengthen our team. We seek people who are ambitious, creative, resourceful, spiritually connected, and apt at turning challenges into opportunities.
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—President, Board member
Suzanne (B.A.S, MSc.Pl.) is an urban planner, and community finance practitioner and researcher, based out of Montreal (Tiohtià:ke), Canada. She currently works as Knowledge Lead at Tapestry Community Capital where she builds knowledge around community finance and community bonds through research, education and policy advocacy. She works to build the strategic partnerships that enable such knowledge-mobilization to take place.
She has previously been the Project Coordinator for Fairbnb Coop Canada and a community organizer with Coming Together Vancouver (a mutual aid organization launched at the beginning of COVID-19. Suzanne’s overall work aims to build a robust alternative to current economic paradigms: a healthy social/solidarity economy.
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—Secretary, Board member
Juhi Sohani is a strategic communications and organizational change consultant with experience helping mission-driven organizations strengthen their internal systems, navigate change, and align their work with their values. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, community engagement, and centering the people most affected by organizational decisions. She brings extensive nonprofit governance experience, having served as Vice-President of the Board of Directors of articule, a Montréal artist-run centre, and as a board member of Leadnow, a national advocacy organization. As Secretary of Brique par Brique, Juhi contributes her expertise in organizational development, strategic communications, and collaborative governance to support the organization's long-term vision and community-led mission.
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—Treasurer, Board member
Roshni Kalson works as an Appeals Officer at the Canada Revenue Agency, bringing experience in regulatory processes, financial accountability, and administrative oversight to his role as Treasurer of Brique par Brique. They also has a longstanding involvement in Montréal's independent music and cultural scene, having contributed to numerous bands, underground venues, and community initiatives. He currently supports Rose Fest and BxB’s Monsoon Festival.
Combining their professional experience with a commitment to grassroots cultural initiatives, Roshni contributes to strengthening Brique par Brique's financial stewardship and organizational sustainability.
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—Board member
Iftekhar has been a dedicated advocate and advisor to Brique par Brique for over seven years, drawn by a deep commitment to building inclusive, community-rooted spaces in Montreal. A board member of Teesri Dunya Theatre, he brings a passion for the arts as a vehicle for social change, particularly within South Asian and diasporic communities. Iftekhar has organized projects at both Brique par Brique and Teesri, supporting transgender youth of South Asian origins — work that reflects his belief that community infrastructure must actively make space for those most often left out. He joins the Brique par Brique board with a long view of what it means to build
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—Board member
Markus Samuel is a Sociology and Anthropology student at Concordia University with a strong interest in community development, social justice, and collective action. Having previously worked as a communications intern at Brique par Brique, he brings firsthand knowledge of the organization's mission, activities, and community relationships.
Also a musician and active member of Montréal's cultural community, Markus contributes a perspective that bridges grassroots organizing, youth engagement, and cultural participation. As a board member, he brings an understanding of Brique par Brique's work on the ground and a commitment to inclusive, community-led initiatives.
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Marylin Chahine is a doctoral student in geography whose research explores how different policy frameworks mediate the relationship between transit investment, housing, and displacement. Her work brings together community-based research and advocacy, connecting residents’ experiences with collective efforts toward more equitable cities.
Our collaborators
FINANCIAL Partners
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