NAIFA is a grass-root community-based multi-service and advocacy agency serving people of African and African descent, especially young people. NAIFA was formed in 1993 by concerned elders and community leaders worried by the impacts of the justice and immigration systems on the life outcomes of the African Canadian community members in Toronto and its surrounding areas. It was incorporated on March 24, 1994 and became charitable organization in 2009.

NAIFA services and programs are reflect cultural precepts and principles of Each one Teach One and Community is the Individual and the Individual is the Community. The doctrines that inform these core principles permeate all its programs and services from development to implementation and evaluation. They also dictate the manner by/in which the agency interacts with its clients, the general community and its funders and other stakeholders. NAIFA is the only agency in Toronto and its surrounding areas within the non-governmental justice sector that focuses explicitly on both preventative and rehabilitative programs.

Justice & Immigration Services

NAIFA provides reintegration services and exit strategies for African Canadians, landed immigrants and refugees currently involved or at risk of involvement with the Justice and Immigration Systems esp. those within and outside the correctional and detention systems. A counselor visits the Ontario Correctional Institutes and Detention Centers in and around Toronto, once per week or as time and/or resources allow to do discharge planning and other supportive programming with prisoners and detainees who will be released to the local area. The agency also provides outreach services, via several community agencies to people released from court.

Supporting Community Youth Achievement Project (SCYAP)

SCYAP is is a collaborative youth focused and youth led initiative that supports youth whom the educational systems have underprepared to fully participate in society and to benefit from such participation.
SCYAP is aimed at improving the educational attainment of participating youth often considered as being at-risk by working in partnerships with key community agencies, educators, TDSB and the York University Center for Education and Community; by helping youth to set achievement goals and to learn how to learn; by providing 6 hours a week of learning circles with between 5 to 6 youth; by providing one-on-one social counseling to youth; and by helping participants register and pass the GED exams. SCYAP uses continues intake.