Success story of the month
My Story - an interview with youth Sayuri Guruge
This interview was conducted via email in November. We would like to congratulate Sayuri and thank her for sharing her story as an encouragement for her peers and youth in the community!
(excerpt from the interview below - to read the full interview, click here)
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Sayuri Guruge and I am 15 years old right now. I am in grade 10 in Parkdale C. I. I was born in Sri Lanka but I moved from there when I was seven years old. Then for three and a half years, I lived in England and then I migrated into Canada. I am a very social person who loves to hang out with my friends but my education is very important to me and I try to excel in every subject. My main goal in life right now is to become a lawyer one day.
When did you first join Parkdale Newcomer Youth program and why?
I first came to Parkdale Newcomer Youth program in grade 9, a few months after I started high school last year. I joined because my brother recommended this program to me and I wanted to engage more in my community to really get the experience and satisfaction of volunteering. After my first day in the program, I knew that I got both of those feelings so I decided to continue on with this program.
What about this program interested you the most?
What interested me in this program the most is our project, which was STOM-R from 2011-2012. More than the project itself, I liked how this group approached our project through movies and media because these are two approaches that teenagers in this group are interested in. The second thing that interested me the most is how devoted the members in this group was towards the project. This made me realize that programs such as this get youth involved in projects like this which keeps them away from negative things but also gives them the chance to promote the negativities of certain things. By seeing how our group members were so actively involved in this project, I was also encouraged to willingly take part, promote change and most of all, have fun while doing all these.
What is your most memorable moment that you can recall being in this program?
My most memorable moment in this program was when I, along with all the other group leaders stepped out in our community and distributed flyers about the negativities of smoking and the negative influence the media gives about smoking. First of all I really enjoyed this experience because it was my first time going outside and advocating change. Secondly, I will never forget this memory because it was the first time that I felt as if I was truly engaged in my community and is doing something to make it better. I really liked how people in the streets asked me what I was trying to promote and I got the chance to explain why smoking is dangerous so I am working limit it.
How did you manage to get the job as a page in Parkdale Library?
I got this job at the library be first doing well on a phone interview. Then I did very well on my face to face interview where I got a chance to show my stacking skills and literary skills. My references, especially Kalsang Dolma (the co-ordinator of the Parkdale Newcomer Youth) helped me to get this job by giving a good reference to the hiring committee. I also first learnt about the library Page opportunity from a session I attended last year in the leadership weekly program facilitated by Kalsang. Throughout all this, I think my confidence in myself and my abilities helped me for the most part to get this job because I showed that I am responsible and that they can rely on me.
Do you have a message to all the newcomer youth based on your experiences?
To all the newcomer youth out there, the beginning is always the hardest, but do not give up! Try to get all the help you can with programs such as this and always have a goal for yourself. I know that when you are a newcomer, everything changes but you will always adapt to this change if you enjoy and take interest in what you have to do!
(excerpt from the interview below - to read the full interview, click here)
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Sayuri Guruge and I am 15 years old right now. I am in grade 10 in Parkdale C. I. I was born in Sri Lanka but I moved from there when I was seven years old. Then for three and a half years, I lived in England and then I migrated into Canada. I am a very social person who loves to hang out with my friends but my education is very important to me and I try to excel in every subject. My main goal in life right now is to become a lawyer one day.
When did you first join Parkdale Newcomer Youth program and why?
I first came to Parkdale Newcomer Youth program in grade 9, a few months after I started high school last year. I joined because my brother recommended this program to me and I wanted to engage more in my community to really get the experience and satisfaction of volunteering. After my first day in the program, I knew that I got both of those feelings so I decided to continue on with this program.
What about this program interested you the most?
What interested me in this program the most is our project, which was STOM-R from 2011-2012. More than the project itself, I liked how this group approached our project through movies and media because these are two approaches that teenagers in this group are interested in. The second thing that interested me the most is how devoted the members in this group was towards the project. This made me realize that programs such as this get youth involved in projects like this which keeps them away from negative things but also gives them the chance to promote the negativities of certain things. By seeing how our group members were so actively involved in this project, I was also encouraged to willingly take part, promote change and most of all, have fun while doing all these.
What is your most memorable moment that you can recall being in this program?
My most memorable moment in this program was when I, along with all the other group leaders stepped out in our community and distributed flyers about the negativities of smoking and the negative influence the media gives about smoking. First of all I really enjoyed this experience because it was my first time going outside and advocating change. Secondly, I will never forget this memory because it was the first time that I felt as if I was truly engaged in my community and is doing something to make it better. I really liked how people in the streets asked me what I was trying to promote and I got the chance to explain why smoking is dangerous so I am working limit it.
How did you manage to get the job as a page in Parkdale Library?
I got this job at the library be first doing well on a phone interview. Then I did very well on my face to face interview where I got a chance to show my stacking skills and literary skills. My references, especially Kalsang Dolma (the co-ordinator of the Parkdale Newcomer Youth) helped me to get this job by giving a good reference to the hiring committee. I also first learnt about the library Page opportunity from a session I attended last year in the leadership weekly program facilitated by Kalsang. Throughout all this, I think my confidence in myself and my abilities helped me for the most part to get this job because I showed that I am responsible and that they can rely on me.
Do you have a message to all the newcomer youth based on your experiences?
To all the newcomer youth out there, the beginning is always the hardest, but do not give up! Try to get all the help you can with programs such as this and always have a goal for yourself. I know that when you are a newcomer, everything changes but you will always adapt to this change if you enjoy and take interest in what you have to do!
Youth Creative Spot
Youth Social Media
Latest Additions: 1. Check out our Summer Program 2012 Photo Album and ENJOY!
Picture Album of Parkdale Newcomer Youth Summer Program 2012
2. Youth Fall Workshop and Session Calendar is here! Click on Calendar page
Facebook Group: Parkdale Newcomer Youth
Twitter: @yMediaPP Follow us!
Enjoy Videos from our Youth Media Project Parkdale
Youtube: www.youtube.com/ympparkdale
Picture Album of Parkdale Newcomer Youth Summer Program 2012
2. Youth Fall Workshop and Session Calendar is here! Click on Calendar page
Facebook Group: Parkdale Newcomer Youth
Twitter: @yMediaPP Follow us!
Enjoy Videos from our Youth Media Project Parkdale
Youtube: www.youtube.com/ympparkdale
Music Video of Newcomer Youth Summer Program - 2011
A music video depicting some of the activities of the Newcomer Youth Summer
Program of 2011 in Parkdale. The activities include bollywood dance, martial
arts training, outdoor sports and many more. The song used is "Sooraj Ki Baaho
Mein" taken from the bollywood movie "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara".
For more videos of our program activities, visit www.youtube.com/ympparkdale
Program of 2011 in Parkdale. The activities include bollywood dance, martial
arts training, outdoor sports and many more. The song used is "Sooraj Ki Baaho
Mein" taken from the bollywood movie "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara".
For more videos of our program activities, visit www.youtube.com/ympparkdale
Literature
STOM-R Magazine!
Read Youth Movie reviews from STOM project youth team by clicking here
Opportunity
Moneywise Veggie Chef$ Program -FlyerIt runs from November 2012 to January 2013.
Following are the Topics: Introduction to Excel Food Handling and Safety Canada’s Food Guide: menu planning, food budgeting, Meal preparation, Reading food labels Budgeting Made Easy Shop Smart and Save Credit and You Income and Expenses Consumers Awareness How to be your own Boss At the end of the program, participants will receive completing certificate. Contact TSERING DOLMA for registration and questions at: (416) 598-3444 ext. 232 Community Program Coordinator – University Settlement Parkdale Youth Program Fall Session is Back! Newcomer Youth Program in Parkdale!
Inviting youth 13 to 24 as participants and volunteers - Be a leader, get experience and skills, serve your community! Click on Calender Page for more details. Open to all newcomer youth 13 to 24. Free. Registration required Call Kalsang, 416-393-7689 or Email: [email protected] Education & ScholarshipsTD Community ScholarshipTD Community Scholarship (Dec 7 deadline) – attach PDF application
TD Community Leadership Certificate Application Deadline is Dec 7th! Read Details here, http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/products-services/banking/student-life/index.jsp?cm_sp=cFALL000-721 Application Form LINK: http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/document/PDF/banking/5512%20Scholar%20Prog%20App_Eng.pdf Any questions or need help? Email me at [email protected] Investing In Diversity ScholarshipDhokham Chushi Gangdruk Youth Scholarship Grant - Dec 10 deadlineDhokham Chushi Gangdruk Society Youth Scholarship Grant of Canada is pleased to announce its second round of University students’ scholarship grants for the academic year 2012-2013. This year one candidate (due to limited budget) of Tibetan descent will be selected to receive scholarship award of CDN $1000.00. Please note: Students who have received the scholarship previously will not qualify.
The purpose of the scholarship program is to encourage our younger generations to seek higher education and lead our society further towards development and prosperity. In order to apply, applicants must be enrolled full time in or already enrolled in a university in Ontario, Canada, and must demonstrate proof of Tibetan Heritage. This year we have extended the deadline of application till December 10, 2012. The complete application form along with all supporting documents must be reached by mail on or before the deadline to Dhokham Chushi Gangdruk Society, Canada. Receipt of application will be acknowledged by email and award will be announced on December 25, 2012 at DCG Christmas fundraising day. Application Forms and guidelines are available at: http://www.chushigangdruk.ca/dcg-scholarship For further information, please contact: Email: [email protected] University or College Admission StepsHow do I apply for admission to a university or college?
Each college or university can decide on admission requirements and select which students to accept. Generally, students apply to a college or university in either the "domestic" or "international" category. International students usually pay a higher tuition rate for post-secondary programs. Scholarships/Grants/Bursaries?Learn about Scholarships/Grants/Bursaries:
http://www.newyouth.ca/list-scholarships-grants-and-bursaries Checklist for finishing High SchoolYour Checklist for Successfully Finishing High School in Ontario
Graduating from high school is a big accomplishment, not to mention a vital step if you want to go on to university or college. To graduate from high school in Ontario, students need to complete a number of required credits, community service hours and pass a literacy test. It sounds like a lot of work—and it is!—but if you take it step-by-step, you’ll be holding your diploma before you know it.. Learn more here. Your Child's CareerGuiding Your Child's Career
This article from Canadian Immigrant magazine has some suggestions for helping your child choose a successful career path. GET CAREER ADVICE ONLINE
JVS Career Voice is a blog for job seekers. Get information about career choices, finding a job, marketing yourself and more. Ask your questions. The blog posts are written by experts in employment. http://www.settlement.org/sys/link_redirect.asp?anno_id=2010559 For more information about about finding work in Ontario, visit: http://www.settlement.org/topics.asp?section=EM Free Computer for Children
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CHECK OUTWORKSHOPS & EventsRegent Park Film Festival10th Annual Regent Park Film Festival, coming up from Nov 7-10 at Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas St. E), the awesome new cultural centre in Regent Park. All festival programming is FREE
Check out full schedules at www.regentparkfilmfestival.com Mental Health: Let's Talk
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© Copyright 2010 - 2012: Newcomer Youth Program of PIA/PCIC partnership. All rights reserved.
Managing Editor: Kalsang Dolma (Youth Settlement Worker - ISAP)
2012 Youth Editorial Board:
2012 Youth Editorial Board:
- Tsewang Dhargyal
- Sayuri Guruge
- Tenzin Samphel
- Tenzin Namsel
- Bipin Aasi
- Namdol Lama