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Press Release
Dr. Borna Meisami Foundation: Restoring Smiles Project
Major Grant Boosts Toronto Foundation Helping Survivors of Domestic Abuse
This is a landmark moment for the Foundation, says Dr. Meisami, founder of the Restoring
Smiles project. Restoring Smiles is a non-profit organization that provides free dental care to
female survivors of domestic abuse. In July 2014 Restoring Smiles was awarded a $50,000
grant from GreenShield Canada for exceptional community service. Thanks to the efforts of
project administrator Ms. Simone Taffe to secure the grant, Restoring Smiles is now able to
double its number of patients.
The grant made me realize that what I had hoped and envisioned for Restoring Smiles was no
longer a dream, says Dr. Meisami. We can now continue to expand our services and hopefully
one day become a constant source of support in Ontario for women who need us.
Since its inception in 2010, the Dr. Borna Meisami Foundation, which administers Restoring
Smiles, has provided full scope of free dental treatment to women affected by abuse. Restoring
Smiles also provides non-OHIP services such as mental health support, plastic surgery and scar
revision.
In the four years since its founding, Restoring Smiles has snowballed into a thriving
organization with over 13 female service providers and dozens of patients. Since 2010 the Dr.
Borna Meisami Foundation has provided over $150,000 worth of restorative treatment for over
30 patients, most of whom live in shelters across the GTA.
Working With Patients
Along with expanding services, Restoring Smiles plans to use the grant to tackle employment
barriers faced by patients. Survivors of abuse often struggle to find gainful employment. The Dr.
Borna Meisami Foundations newest project is to develop one staff position a year for former
patients as spokespeople, administrators and patient care coordinators.
It is important to us to have our own patients acting as our representatives, says Dr. Meisami,
and working directly with us to expand and improve the organization. Our patients know best
what they need to improve their lives, and they are the best people to tell us what we should do
to move forward. These staff positions will enable former patients to contribute directly to the
organization, as well as share their personal strength and valuable lived experience with
incoming patients.