From Newcomers to Community Leaders
Today, we celebrate International Youth Day which recognizes the contributions of young people and raises awareness of the challenges they face around the world. This year’s International Youth Day theme, “different contexts, common aspirations,” reminds us that while every young person’s journey is unique, many share the same hopes of finding belonging, building confidence and creating a bright future.
At YMCA Calgary, we believe today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, and we are committed to creating spaces where they feel welcomed, supported and celebrated. Through programs like the Youth Achievement Program (YMAP), young newcomers to Canada can develop leadership skills, gain confidence and make meaningful connections.
In honor of International Youth Day, we’re celebrating the Asif family, whose YMAP journey has spanned more than two decades and three family members. Their story reflects the heart of this year’s theme and shows how one program can support young people with different experiences, while helping them pursue the same aspirations of belonging, opportunity and making a difference.
Asif Family (Laiba, Nabeela and Rayon)
When Nabeela first moved to Canada from Pakistan, she was looking to improve her English and wanted to learn more about Canadian culture. In grade 11, she enrolled in YMAP, where she learned that the program is about much more than having fun. It’s a place that supports you while navigating a new country and helps you develop essential life skills, including how to write a cover letter, build a resume and search for a job.
“I’m very thankful that I was able to learn all of these things in YMAP with the help of the directors and coordinators,” Nabeela shared. “I put both of my kids in the program for that reason, so they get all of these skills.”
“The encouragement I got during my three years of YMAP made me feel like I had the potential to do great things to give back to my community, and it really meant a lot to me,” said Rayon, Nabeela’s son.
“YMAP never felt like just another after school program or where I was just a participant,” expressed Laiba, Nabeela’s daughter. “The coordinators really care about us and they’re there to help. It’s a great support system if you’re new to Canada or a first-generation immigrant as well.”
Today, Laiba continues her YMAP journey by taking part in volunteer opportunities, learning more about Canadian culture and discovering new ways to make an impact in her community. She believes that the program helps youth make Calgary feel like their home, while continuing to celebrate their cultures of origin.
As we honour International Youth Day, we celebrate the many experiences that shape young people and the shared aspirations that connect them. The Asif family’s story reminds us that meaningful opportunities for youth can extend across generations, as the confidence, leadership skills and sense of belonging they found through YMAP continue to shape their family’s journey more than 20 years later.
Want to hear more about the Asif family’s experience? You can watch their full Y Story here.
Click here to learn more about YMAP and the opportunities available for youth in our community.