Four years ago on Boxing Day, Jasmin Ashman’s son (then 23) was the victim of a random shooting in a North York mall.  While shopping by himself, he was attacked by four strangers who shot him several times, leaving him with severe injuries that led to the amputation of his leg. 

Since then, Jasmin has worked tirelessly to raise awareness among youth of the need for peaceful solutions to violence and injustice. 

Over the past year, she has served as parent representative on the PEACE Committee, an initiative of the Toronto Police Service, advocating for non-violent solutions to conflict.  She offers her son’s story to educate young people of the tragic and lasting impacts of violence and encourages them to seek peaceful ways to resolve issues.  Quietly, but with tremendous courage and passion, Jasmin speaks publicly to college students, professionals and the general public, sharing her experience.  Most recently, she was a guest speaker at the Annual Victim’s Commemorative Ceremony hosted by the Ontario Victim’s Services Secretariat.

Jasmin has had a powerful impact on youth and adults throughout the City of Toronto.  Youth gain a new appreciation of the devastating effects of a random act of violence.  Her “from the heart” words promote compassion in her listeners.  In her message, Jasmin focuses on prevention of violence, in the hope that no one else will have to suffer the way her son and family have suffered. 

She has worked with police and other professionals to spread the message that violence is not the solution and that the effects of violence—especially involving guns—are permanent. 

A single mother of three sons, Jasmin Ashman demonstrates how one individual with no special training can make a significant difference by sharing her story with others.  She has recently been accepted into the Community Leading and Learning Program at Seneca College and intends to work in social services with at-risk youth.  She plans to continue to contribute to violence prevention in the community for years to come.