Latest news with #RicardoMorales
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society welcomes migrant seniors with pilot program
The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) has launched a groundbreaking three-year pilot project aimed at improving the quality of life of immigrant seniors in Calgary and improving the integration process. It's hoped the project, called the Calgary Seniors Ethnocultural Network (CSEN), will bring together immigrant senior groups from across Calgary 'It's a collaboration of bringing all these newcomers together to form a stronger network within the Calgary community,' said Ricardo Morales, CCIS director of community development and integration services & southern Alberta rural settlement projects. 'To better be able to support and provide seniors with a plethora of different activities and services that are going to enhance their lifestyle.' CSEN will deal with issues of social isolation, language barriers, financial difficulties, elder abuse, digital literacy, cultural and generational differences and well as accessibility to services. The collaborative pilot project will see CCIS work closely with 13 partner associations. 'The impact of COVID showed us the need to support seniors,' Morales said. 'They were the most vulnerable sector for a population, hence now when we take a look at emerging seniors or emerging ethno-cultural seniors coming into Calgary, coming to us for support, we thought the best way we could do this is to formalize this into a network.' CCIS says the partnerships will focus on sharing resources and opportunities, promoting awareness of each other's work, collaborating on projects, workshops and presentations, co-applying for grants, advocating for understanding and inclusion and meeting regularly to discuss observations and proactively support immigrant seniors' well-being. 'We're trying to address this issue of social isolation, and I believe that with this network we can do more, especially if we help each other,' said Sherrisa Celis, CCIS immigrant senior services manager. 'So (we thought) why don't we just built this network so we can support more organizations, and more seniors will benefit from it, because if you have the money, then you can do more activities and seniors will be happier.' CCIS says by addressing the specific needs of ethnocultural seniors, it aims to build bridges of friendship, develop self-esteem and foster a sense of belonging. Organizers of the network will monitor how it works for the next three years with a hope of expanding out to rural communities one day.
CNN
19-04-2025
- CNN
A loving father of two and a dining coordinator dedicated to service were killed in the Florida State University shooting
When a gunman opened fire on the campus of Florida State University on Thursday, two people died and six were injured before police were able to take him into custody. Now, we're learning more about the two people who died, a loving father of two and a dedicated university employee. As reports of the shooting emerged, Ricardo Morales chronicled his journey to find answers about his brother's whereabouts. 'My Brother works on campus at FSU. Waiting on a call back,' Ricardo Morales wrote Thursday on X, followed by a series of posts about his brother. Nearly nine hours later, Morales learned his beloved brother, Robert Morales – a Florida State University employee – was one of two men killed in Thursday's shooting at the university in Tallahassee. 'Today we lost my younger Brother,' Ricardo Morales wrote in a post accompanied by family photos. 'He loved his job at FSU and his beautiful Wife and Daughter. I'm glad you were in my Life.' Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old father of two, was identified as the other victim by attorneys representing his family. Chabba, a resident of Greenville, South Carolina, was an employee at Aramark, a Philadelphia-based food service and facilities management company, the attorneys said. 'Tiru Chabba's family is going through the unimaginable now,' attorney Bakari Sellers said in a statement. Here's what we know about the two victims who lost their lives in the sixth mass shooting in Florida and the 81st in the United States in 2025, and how they will be remembered by loved ones and their communities: Robert Morales, a Florida State graduate, was a dining coordinator at the university for almost a decade, according to his LinkedIn profile. Kyle Clark, the university's senior vice president, said Morales was a dedicated employee who would often surprise administrators and staff with homemade Cuban meals and pastries, 'reminding us that food is a love language, and food unites us all.' 'He didn't just do the job. He lived the job. He was dedicated to the mission of service and care for the Florida State University community,' Clark said at a vigil honoring the victims Friday. 'He made our dining experience feel like home for every student, especially those from South Florida.' Clark highlighted Morales' caring nature, including one instance where Morales worked directly worked with chefs to ensure a student with severe allergies was provided safe and nourishing meals. Art Smith, a celebrity chef who had previously worked alongside Morales, said he'll remember him as a jolly man who always greeted others with a smile. 'He was a lovely and joyful man,' Smith told CNN. 'Full of joy and energy, very sweet.' He previously served as an assistant football coach at Leon High School, just a mile down the road from the Florida State campus. On Friday, the high school's athletic department said Morales' loss is 'deeply felt by all.' 'His commitment to the game and to shaping the lives of his players extended far beyond the field,' the high school's athletic department wrote in a statement. 'He was a trusted coach, a respected colleague, and a cherished friend to many.' Chabba's wife and two children are grieving his immense loss, though it was supposed to be a celebratory time for the family as Easter approaches. 'Instead of hiding Easter eggs and visiting with friends and family, they're living a nightmare where this loving father and devoted husband was stolen from them in an act of senseless and preventable violence,' Sellers said. Aramark said it is 'heartbroken' Chabba was killed in a 'senseless act of violence.' 'We are absolutely shaken by the news and our deepest sympathies are with the family and our entire Aramark community,' the company said in a statement. Clark, who was visibly emotional during the vigil, said 'these two individuals were more than just names.' 'They were deeply loved, and their absences leave a void that cannot be filled,' he said. On Friday, Chabba's attorneys said they would work to 'ensure that all those who bear responsibility for this senseless act of violence are held to account.' 'We ask you to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers as we fight to ensure they see justice that honors the memories of Mr. Chabba and all the victims of Thursday's shooting,' Sellers said. CNN's Devon Sayers, David Williams, Julianna Bragg, Alaa Elassar, Christina Zdanowicz and Sarah Dewberry contributed to this report.
CNN
18-04-2025
- CNN
A loving father of two and a dining coordinator dedicated to service were killed in the Florida State University shooting
As reports of a mass shooting at Florida State University Thursday emerged, Ricardo Morales chronicled his journey to find answers about his brother's whereabouts. 'My Brother works on campus at FSU. Waiting on a call back,' Ricardo Morales wrote Thursday on X, followed by a series of posts about his brother. Nearly nine hours later, Morales learned his beloved brother, Robert Morales – a Florida State University employee – was one of two men killed in Thursday's shooting at the university in Tallahassee. 'Today we lost my younger Brother,' Ricardo Morales wrote in a post accompanied by family photos. 'He loved his job at FSU and his beautiful Wife and Daughter. I'm glad you were in my Life.' Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old father of two, was identified as the other victim by attorneys representing his family. Chabba, a resident of Greenville, South Carolina, was an employee at Aramark, a Philadelphia-based food service and facilities management company, the attorneys said. 'Tiru Chabba's family is going through the unimaginable now,' attorney Bakari Sellers said in a statement. Here's what we know about the two victims who lost their lives and how they will be remembered by loved ones and their communities: Robert Morales, a Florida State graduate, was a dining coordinator at the university for almost a decade, according to his LinkedIn profile. Kyle Clark, the university's senior vice president, said Morales was a dedicated employee who would often surprise administrators and staff with homemade Cuban meals and pastries, 'reminding us that food is a love language, and food unites us all.' 'He didn't just do the job. He lived the job. He was dedicated to the mission of service and care for the Florida State University community,' Clark said at a vigil honoring the victims Friday. 'He made our dining experience feel like home for every student, especially those from South Florida.' Clark highlighted Morales' caring nature, including one instance where Morales worked directly worked with chefs to ensure a student with severe allergies was provided safe and nourishing meals. He previously served as an assistant football coach at Leon High School, just a mile down the road from the Florida State campus. 'His commitment to the game and to shaping the lives of his players extended far beyond the field,' the high school's athletic department wrote in a statement. 'He was a trusted coach, a respected colleague, and a cherished friend to many.' Chabba's wife and two children are grieving his immense loss, though it was supposed to be a celebratory time for the family as Easter approaches. 'Instead of hiding Easter eggs and visiting with friends and family, they're living a nightmare where this loving father and devoted husband was stolen from them in an act of senseless and preventable violence,' Sellers said. Aramark said it is 'heartbroken' Chabba was killed in a 'senseless act of violence.' 'We are absolutely shaken by the news and our deepest sympathies are with the family and our entire Aramark community,' the company said in a statement. On Friday, Chabba's attorneys said they would work to 'ensure that all those who bear responsibility for this senseless act of violence are held to account.' 'We ask you to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers as we fight to ensure they see justice that honors the memories of Mr. Chabba and all the victims of Thursday's shooting,' Sellers said. CNN's Devon Sayers, David Williams, Julianna Bragg, Alaa Elassar, Christina Zdanowicz and Sarah Dewberry contributed to this report.
CNN
18-04-2025
- CNN
A loving father of two and a dining coordinator dedicated to service were killed in the Florida State University shooting
As reports of a mass shooting at Florida State University Thursday emerged, Ricardo Morales chronicled his journey to find answers about his brother's whereabouts. 'My Brother works on campus at FSU. Waiting on a call back,' Ricardo Morales wrote Thursday on X, followed by a series of posts about his brother. Nearly nine hours later, Morales learned his beloved brother, Robert Morales – a Florida State University employee – was one of two men killed in Thursday's shooting at the university in Tallahassee. 'Today we lost my younger Brother,' Ricardo Morales wrote in a post accompanied by family photos. 'He loved his job at FSU and his beautiful Wife and Daughter. I'm glad you were in my Life.' Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old father of two, was identified as the other victim by attorneys representing his family. Chabba, a resident of Greenville, South Carolina, was an employee at Aramark, a Philadelphia-based food service and facilities management company, the attorneys said. 'Tiru Chabba's family is going through the unimaginable now,' attorney Bakari Sellers said in a statement. Here's what we know about the two victims who lost their lives and how they will be remembered by loved ones and their communities: Robert Morales, a Florida State graduate, was a dining coordinator at the university for almost a decade, according to his LinkedIn profile. Kyle Clark, the university's senior vice president, said Morales was a dedicated employee who would often surprise administrators and staff with homemade Cuban meals and pastries, 'reminding us that food is a love language, and food unites us all.' 'He didn't just do the job. He lived the job. He was dedicated to the mission of service and care for the Florida State University community,' Clark said at a vigil honoring the victims Friday. 'He made our dining experience feel like home for every student, especially those from South Florida.' Clark highlighted Morales' caring nature, including one instance where Morales worked directly worked with chefs to ensure a student with severe allergies was provided safe and nourishing meals. He previously served as an assistant football coach at Leon High School, just a mile down the road from the Florida State campus. 'His commitment to the game and to shaping the lives of his players extended far beyond the field,' the high school's athletic department wrote in a statement. 'He was a trusted coach, a respected colleague, and a cherished friend to many.' Chabba's wife and two children are grieving his immense loss, though it was supposed to be a celebratory time for the family as Easter approaches. 'Instead of hiding Easter eggs and visiting with friends and family, they're living a nightmare where this loving father and devoted husband was stolen from them in an act of senseless and preventable violence,' Sellers said. Aramark said it is 'heartbroken' Chabba was killed in a 'senseless act of violence.' 'We are absolutely shaken by the news and our deepest sympathies are with the family and our entire Aramark community,' the company said in a statement. On Friday, Chabba's attorneys said they would work to 'ensure that all those who bear responsibility for this senseless act of violence are held to account.' 'We ask you to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers as we fight to ensure they see justice that honors the memories of Mr. Chabba and all the victims of Thursday's shooting,' Sellers said. CNN's Devon Sayers, David Williams, Julianna Bragg, Alaa Elassar, Christina Zdanowicz and Sarah Dewberry contributed to this report.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
A father of two and a beloved brother were killed in the Florida State University shooting
As reports of a mass shooting at Florida State University Thursday emerged, Ricardo Morales chronicled his journey to find answers about his brother's whereabouts. 'My Brother works on campus at FSU. Waiting on a call back,' Ricardo Morales wrote Thursday on X, followed by a series of posts about his brother. Nearly nine hours later, Morales learned that his beloved brother, Robert Morales – a Florida State University employee – was one of two men killed in Thursday's shooting at the university in Tallahassee. 'Today we lost my younger Brother,' Ricardo Morales wrote in a post accompanied by family photos. 'He loved his job at FSU and his beautiful Wife and Daughter. I'm glad you were in my Life.' Robert Morales, a Florida State graduate, was a dining coordinator at the university for almost a decade, according to his LinkedIn profile. He previously served as an assistant football coach at Leon High School, just a mile down the road from the Florida State campus. 'His commitment to the game and to shaping the lives of his players extended far beyond the field,' the high school's athletic department wrote in a statement. 'He was a trusted coach, a respected colleague, and a cherished friend to many.' Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old father of two, was identified as the other victim by attorneys representing his family. Chabba, a resident of Greenville, South Carolina, was an employee at Aramark, a Philadelphia-based food service and facilities management company, the attorneys said. 'Tiru Chabba's family is going through the unimaginable now,' attorney Bakari Sellers said in a statement. 'Instead of hiding Easter eggs and visiting with friends and family, they're living a nightmare where this loving father and devoted husband was stolen from them in an act of senseless and preventable violence.' On Friday, Chabba's attorneys said they would work to 'ensure that all those who bear responsibility for this senseless act of violence are held to account.' 'We ask you to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers as we fight to ensure they see justice that honors the memories of Mr. Chabba and all the victims of Thursday's shooting,' Sellers said. Five others who were injured in the shooting have not been identified by authorities. They are in stable condition and expected to fully recover, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare said Friday.
