CHASI organizes third annual Walkout in Support of Women in Afghanistan

Poster for a walkout in support of women in Afghanistan. A large illustration depicts Illustration of a woman in a blue burqa holding a rose. She is standing in a field of red flowers. The bottom of her burqa is on fire and the fire blends into the red and orange flowers around her. The background is bright white with indications of a smoky sky. Text reads: "It’s been four years since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan and began taking rights from women. Join us for a walkout to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with those women.Ban education. Block healthcare. Bury hope. Afghanistan’s women deserve better. Thursday, August 14 | 12:00–12:30 PM UFV Abbotsford | Breezeway between buildings A&B."

When a regime bans girls from education, bars women from healthcare jobs, and blocks their access to treatment, it’s not just oppression, it’s a slow, deliberate death sentence. August marks four years since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan. Please join us at noon on Thursday, August 14 for our third annual walkout of UFV’s … Read more

CHASIcast 19: Community Development in Changing Times with Dr. Rita Dhungel and Chelsea Klassen

Photo of Chelsea Klassen and Rita Dhungel speaking into podcast microphones. Text reads: "CHASIcast #19: Community Development in Changing Times."

How can we work towards a better society in difficult times? The CHASIcast is pleased to welcome back Dr. Rita Dhungel, an assistant professor in the School of Social Work and Human Services, joined this time by Chelsea Klassen, CHASI’s lead researcher and a sessional instructor in the School of Social Justice and Global Stewardship. … Read more

CHASI projects take international stage at Pacific Sociological Association conference

Group photo of 15 members of the CHASI team posing in an airport at the end of the trip home. Many are wearing navy blue sweatshirts with CHASI written on them in orange letters.

Students and staff from the Community Health and Social Innovation Hub returned to the Pacific Sociological Association (PSA) conference for the second year in a row. The group of 16 CHASI representatives shared experiences and findings from CHASI’s work while learning from sociologists and practitioners in related fields over the course of four days (March … Read more

CHASI and Sustainable UFV presentation: Collaboration for pollination — growing partnerships

Photo of a group of people planting plants in the UFV pollinator garden.

CHASI lead researcher Chelsea Klassen joined Sustainable UFV’s Jennifer Martel and Karima Cherifi for a virtual presentation about UFV’s new pollinator garden at the University of Bergen Day Zero Sustainable Development Goals conference. Originally presented February 5, 2025, the presentation discussed how the Office of Sustainability at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, … Read more

CHASI research shows VisionQuest program significantly reduces criminal recidivism

Cover of the report, including it's full title and an aerial photo of the VisionQuest facility

Researchers at UFV’s Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub share their findings from a three-year follow-up study of recidivism among highly prolific offenders admitted to VisionQuest’s substance use treatment program in Logan Lake, B.C. The report, prepared by Dr. Darryl Plecas, Dr. Martha Dow, and Chelsea Klassen, MA, found that the program demonstrated capacity … Read more

UFV gathers in solidarity with Afghan women

Photo of members of the CHASI team standing together together holding protest signs, talking to one another as they wait for the speeches to begin.

On Thursday, August 15th, members of the UFV and Fraser Valley community gathered to commemorate three years since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. This is the second year this awareness-raising event has occurred at UFV. Women in Afghanistan have been banned from attending university since December 2022 and high school since September 2021. Now, girls … Read more

CHASI contributes knowledge to B.U.I.L.D.S. Project

A video still of a title card that reads "Community Based Research Guide, Presented by CHASI"

The Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub was pleased to partner with DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society to support their BIPOC Unified Inclusive Leading Organization Development for South Fraser (B.U.I.L.D.S.) project. The project supports “grassroots BIPOC organizations to help grow their services and impact in the community by accessing Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) … Read more

CHASI team shares research at Pacific Sociological Association

Photo of the 12 members of the CHASI team on stage posing for a photo. Dr. Martha Dow holds an award certificate. Four people are wearing CHASI-branded sweatshirts, and all have conference name badges on.

The Community Health and Social Innovation Hub (CHASI) had the privilege of attending the 95th Pacific Sociological Association (PSA) Conference in San Diego, California, from March 21–24, 2024. CHASI’s team of faculty, students, and staff was well represented, with 12 members of the team in attendance, and most giving presentations. The conference was an excellent … Read more

CHASI highlights undergraduate research at KPU conference

Photo of a panel of speakers on stage.

Student-driven research is a core pillar of CHASI, and undergraduate students are at the centre of all of CHASI’s work, from proposal to delivery. On March 15, the CHASI team had the opportunity to highlight the role of students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Empowering Minds: Inspiring and Showcasing Undergraduate Research conference. The conference focused on … Read more