Awesome youth feature: Grace Chan

16-year-old Grace Chan has been an active youth volunteer at Immigrant Services Calgary’s Youth Volunteer Program for nearly two years. She has been recognized by Kids up Front and Youth Central as a part of the Pay it Forward project for her dedicated exceptional volunteer work. Grace has volunteered numerous times at various non-profits organizations and has assisted with Zoolights, Run for the Cure, Salvation Army as well as sorting donations at the Drop-In Centre. She is also a mentor to immigrant youth, providing peer support. I contacted Grace over email and asked her few questions:

YAA: How did you start to volunteer?

GC: I started volunteering when I was 11 years old, helping out with children’s programs and tutoring at my church. Over the years, I have volunteered with my family for World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse. I also volunteer as a tutor over the summer and with Youth Central, the Calgary Police Cadet Corps, and the Youth Volunteer Program on a regular basis.

 YAA: How did you end up volunteering with the Immigrant Services Calgary’s Youth Volunteer Program?

GC: I found out about the Youth Volunteer Program (YVP) through my father, who works at Immigrant Services Calgary. He told me that the YVP is aimed at helping new immigrant and refugee youth meet new people and learn more about Canada through volunteering and participating in other community activities, and that I can help out by becoming a friend and mentor to them.

 YAA: How did you become a mentor to immigrant youth? What have you learned from being a mentor?

GC: I went for a personal interview with the YVP Coordinator and she explained what the program is about. To better engage the immigrant youth, the YVP recruits youth mentors (such as myself) who are Canadian citizens to be peer leaders in the program, by participating in activities and volunteer events alongside the immigrant youth. I can see that the program makes a difference not only in the community and in the immigrant youth, but also in the mentors. It is amazing to see everyone in the program grow personally, and take initiative to volunteer and do anything we can to help out in the community.  In particular, I can see that through the YVP, the immigrant youth become more confident in speaking English, more willing to take on new challenges outside of their comfort zone, and more ready to socialize with others. I have learned that everyone has the potential to achieve more than they think they can. As a mentor in the YVP, I have the opportunity to make an important impact on the lives of others, so I hope to be the best role model I can be.

 YAA: What would you say is the best thing about volunteering with YVP?

GC: The best thing about volunteering with YVP is the sense of community, and being able to see so many youth from diverse backgrounds working together as a team to make a positive difference in the community.

 

 YAA: Has volunteering helped you develop as a person? How?

GC: Not only has volunteering helped me develop my leadership, teamwork and communication skills, it has made me more aware of what is happening right here in our city. I have learned more about homelessness, seniors, domestic abuse, and developmental disabilities (to name a few). Through the YVP I have had the opportunity to participate in making a difference by volunteering with organizations such as the Mustard Seed, Salvation Army, and Prospect Human Services.

I have also learned a lot from the other youth I volunteer with, especially the immigrant youth. Not only are they embracing the challenge of starting a new life in Canada, but they are also very excited to get involved in the community, and the time, enthusiasm and effort they put into volunteering and helping others is incredible. The youth in the YVP have inspired me to always put 110 per cent effort into everything, and never be scared to try something new.

 YAA: What are your plans for the future?

GC: I am currently in the Calgary Police Cadet Corps (for youth ages 12-17) and after high school I hope to move on to the Calgary Police Auxiliary Cadets (age 18+) while I continue with my post secondary education. My ultimate goal is to become an officer with the Calgary Police Service.

 YAA: What advice would you give to new youth who want to volunteer?

GC: Youth Central is a fantastic program to get involved in. It is easy to sign up online, and there are so many different events and opportunities. Other than that, actively look for volunteer opportunities at school and in the community and keep in mind that wherever you are, you can make a positive impact on someone else.

Thank you Grace for letting me interview you and I wish for your success in the future! 🙂