Published on Toronto.com on November 2, 2023
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Before I was born, my parents were forced to flee Colombia for the United States to apply as asylum seekers.
I was born while we waited to hear if we could stay.
Our application was rejected, leaving my parents without a lot of hope for our family of six. Luckily, Canada accepted us and we were given the opportunity to start a new life in the vibrant mosaic that is Scarborough.
We heard about BGC West Scarborough through the community. We lived in the area, and my parents were looking to get us involved and to help us make friends.
Bridgette Rivaldo, the Club’s program co-ordinator, met my parents at church and invited us to come check it out.
We enrolled in their summer camp, and my adventure really started. The club became my second home quickly.
My area of Scarborough has a lot of newcomers, but here we all feel like family, especially in tough times. A lot of my friends and neighbours struggled before the pandemic, but now that we are on the other side, I see a lot of people struggling even more.
A lot of parents are working two or three jobs to make ends meet for their families. I just finished reading “Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America” by Barbara Ehrenreich, where the author tries to live on minimum wage, and it really hit home as a reflection of what I am seeing in my community.
My BGC Club provides a ton of free and low-cost programming that helps out families that couldn’t otherwise get by, or afford a “frill” like summer camps or after-school activities.
As a staff member and volunteer at the club, I noticed that a lot of the younger kids really struggled with their homework. Many of their parents are newcomers with limited English skills to help with their kids’ homework, or they are busy working multiple jobs.
Last year, I started The Homework Club at BGC West Scarborough to try and fill that gap. It’s not fancy — we are just a handful of volunteers trying to provide one-on-one support — but it’s already paying off. We like to use math and trivia games to keep kids engaged.
I’m always eager to help, but I never thought I’d be a leader until I gained confidence from working at the club. The staff encouraged me to apply for the BGC Youth of the Year Award and I was reluctant, but accepted.
I was absolutely blown away when they announced my name as the winner. It means so much to me — not just to be recognized for my work, but I also get a scholarship and my club also gets extra funds, which are always needed.
The journey doesn’t end here. Armed with new-found confidence, I find myself on the threshold of a life-altering experience, preparing to visit Parliament Hill to meet with ministers and staff.
This opportunity exemplifies BGC’s mantra: opportunity changes everything. I am grateful for the chance to not only flourish personally, but also to assist fellow youngsters in unlocking their full potential.
In the heart of Scarborough, amid the bustling energy of everyday life, my club stands as a testament to the transformative power of community, offering not just a place to land, but a launch pad for dreams and aspirations.
