The Surrey LIP council saw the need to support opportunities for youth to convene, connect across cultures, share their experiences and perspectives, and build leadership skills.
The Surrey LIP council saw the need to support opportunities for youth to convene, connect across cultures, share their experiences and perspectives, and build leadership skills.
Enter the Surrey Youth Newcomer Council (SYNC), a community of Surrey youth who are passionate about making the City of Surrey a better place to live in for newcomer youth. Their goals include gathering feedback from youth newcomers, providing career empowerment and job search workshops, and utilizing digital media to help them find their community in the City of Surrey.
Country of origin: Philippines
Year of arrival to Canada: 2011
Languages spoken: Tagalog, English
Interests: Pop culture, politics, volleyball and karaoke
To make an impact and be a change to my community. Most especially, having my voice heard for all refugees through decision making and planning.
Why did you choose to be a member of SYNC?
I chose to be a member of SYNC because I wanted to help establish a tight-knit community of youth newcomers in Surrey that can:
Country of Origin: India
Year of Arrival: 2017
Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Punjabi
Why did you choose to be a member of SYNC?
I joined SYNC because I wanted to be more involved in my community and offer a sense of belonging to newcomers in Surrey.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges impacting newcomer youth in Surrey?
I believe that the language barrier is a big issue. It is holding back newcomers from much of what Surrey has to offer.
What is your vision for Surrey?
I see Surrey as an inclusive city where people from all cultures and backgrounds can find a place for themselves.
School: Langara College
Interests: film, photography, fashion, community service
School: Frank Hurt
Year: Grade 12
Interests: Concerts, cooking, playing clarinet
Nargis Babrakzai is currently studying at the Western Community College and is also enrolled in a social science undergraduate degree program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. She came to Canada as an immigrant in 2015. Since then, she has volunteered and worked in different programs and non-profit organizations. Her most recent leadership experience involved working as the Surrey Refugee Youth Team Co-chair.
Nargis is graduate of the eight-month Youth Public Policy Program hosted by Vancouver Foundation. Nargis is passionate about education and community development. She would like to continue working in roles to serve community. Her aim is to be one of many newcomer youth voices at government level.
Surrey LIP is managed by DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society.
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