{"id":86573,"date":"2026-04-01T21:22:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T21:22:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/?p=86573"},"modified":"2026-04-02T18:42:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T18:42:33","slug":"bgc-inspired-me-to-give-back-to-my-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/bgc-inspired-me-to-give-back-to-my-community\/","title":{"rendered":"BGC inspired me to give back to my community"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ruben is an exceptional young person in his community and Club, known for his leadership, his commitment to his values, and his ability to uplift others. In 2025, he was named BGC Canada\u2019s National Youth of the Year. This is his story.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

I\u2019ve been a member BGC St. Alban\u2019s Club<\/a> in Toronto, Ontario, for eight years. I\u2019m passionate about youth, leadership, education, and creating spaces where youth can be heard. I\u2019m also passionate about education and equity, and I fulfill both as a student trustee and as a volunteer and staff member at the Club.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>[vc_row_inner el_class=”ptop-2 pbottom-2 custom-block-white”][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-lg-12 vc_col-md-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1769629629622{background-color: #FFFFFF !important;}”]

\u201cHe\u2019s volunteered in our after-school care programs and summer camp programming. Recently, he\u2019s been running our youth leadership and training programs.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

– Angelo, Community Director, BGC St. Alban\u2019s Club<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner]

My BGC Club opened my mind to new ideas<\/h3>\n

BGC Canada\u2019s National Youth Forum introduced me to youth leadership. Now, I\u2019m able to raise issues students may have regarding equity, academics, or mental health so that staff can curate solutions and help students feel better prepared academically.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Because of my Club, I discovered my strengths and what I\u2019m good at<\/h3>\n

Some of the strengths I\u2019ve gained from being at the Club\u2014especially through summer camps and in lots of different spaces where I interact with people\u2014are my communication and confidence. My first job was at BGC, and I have learned so many skills that I can transfer into real-world experiences.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Being at my BGC Club has inspired me to give back to my community<\/h3>\n

I started the PAX for Backs<\/em> initiative, where each year in August, I get a bunch of backpacks and fill them with school supplies and other essentials, like hygiene products. The backpacks go to students in my community who may not be able to afford it. This way, they\u2019re well prepared for the school year.<\/p>\n

When I was in BGC programming, I had a mentor\u2014somebody to talk to. I want to be that mentor for children and youth in my Club. That\u2019s why when I\u2019m volunteering or working at the Club, I want to really be there for the youth, to make sure they feel safe and that they belong.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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