Alysha

Alysha is in her final year of high school and volunteers regularly at the seniors drop-in centre in her community, providing help where needed – especially baking. She is passionate about issues concerning youth as well as seniors. Alysha hopes to become a social worker, so she can help vulnerable children and be part of the solution in preventing child abuse.

Asia is originally from Ethiopia and Kenya and currently attends high school in Calgary.  She has been through many challenges, including immigrating to Canada, living in a shelter and learning English. Asia has taken Dale Carnegie training and is an active volunteer with the Food Bank, Bow River Valley Clean Up, Salvation Army, the Afrikadey Festival and the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society. Her passion for helping others is a big reason why she wants to become a social worker in the future.

Cathy’s passions include travelling, music, reading, spending time with loved ones and helping others. As a 19-year-old from Calgary, she plans to study psychology and the legal ramifications of abusive relationships. Cathy has greatlistening skills and shares her life experiences with others, making them feel comfortable opening up and asking her for help.

Chaz is a strong and vocal advocate for homeless people in Calgary. While serving on the Youth Advisory Panel, Chaz currently works at Avenue 15 Youth Shelter and is a Community Youth Liaison & Consultant with the Calgary Homeless Foundation. Chaz also volunteers for concerts, fundraisers and other community events. He enjoys helping people and taking an active role in the community.

Cody lives in the northern settlement of Paddle Prairie and is an active member of the provincial Métis Settlement Youth Network Society. He wants to find positive ways to support youth who are struggling with drugs, alcohol, boredom, loss and grief. Cody has coached youth sports teams, volunteered at community events and participated in the Healing Our Spirit World Wide Conference in Hawaii.

Born in Bombay, India, Eliran also lived in Israel before coming to Canada. He is currently studying at SAIT in the Hospitality Management Program with a focus on Hotel and Resort Management. Despite various challenges in his life, Eliran supported himself throughout high school, and his strength and perseverance continue to help him succeed.  Eliran is committed to promoting education and self-reliance for former youth in care.

As a Political Science and Business student at Grant MacEwan University, Joseph is developing his passion for governance and volunteer engagement. His busy schedule includes 10 extracurricular activities such as Peer Support, Student Council, Student Ambassadors, UN Club and the Academic Policies Committee. Joseph has a passion for leadership and strives to make a positive impact on the world.    

Katie has lived in many places, including northern Alberta and the southern United States. Her goal is to pursue a career in journalism and travel around the world as a freelance journalist. Katie has experienced both homelessness and addiction in her life, and hopes that her work as a Youth Advisory Panel member will help make a positive difference for high-risk youth.   

Kirsten has extensive leadership experience and even started her own youth group called Raising Awareness Within Reserves (RAWR). She attended the Healing Our Spirits Worldwide Youth Conference in Hawaii last September and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Youth Conference for the past three years. She is also member of both the Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) and Crime Stoppers programs in Duffield. Kirsten plans to go to the University of Calgary's Social Work Program.    

Kyle has a keen interest in government and is eager to learn while on the Youth Advisory Panel. He has worked on a number of farms, was a youth leader for a local camp, worked in his local constituency office and is currently taking a B.A. at Grant MacEwan University. When it comes to working in group settings, Kyle believes that "there are many times when a person must take a step back in order to gain a better perspective of what a person's opinion is, (and) with that new knowledge you can come back to the table and present a better idea."

Lacey won an Honourable Mention for the 2009 Great Kids Award for promoting her First Nation's culture at her school through the Dream Catchers program. She attends Lakeland College with the goal of becoming a youth worker. When asked what she will bring to the Panel, Lacey said, "a dedication to youth issues, Aboriginal youth and also leadership experience." Lacey’s volunteer experience includes participation in the Dream Catcher mentorship program, In-School mentoring, Be the Change (Challenge Day) and as a member of the Red Pheasant Band.

Loryn is proud and strong advocate for youth. Loryn moved from Fort McMurray to Edmonton to study Business Administration at NAIT’s J.R. Shaw School of Business. While living in Fort McMurray, Loryn served as chairperson for a committee dedicated to eliminating youth homelessness in the community. He remains involved in the community, as he represents their youth on the Panel.

Despite having been involved with the foster care and youth justice systems and struggling with addictions and homelessness earlier in life, Matthew is extremely resilient, continues to learn from the world around him and is moving towards independence. He feels that his experiences give him unique insight into the different challenges that youth face.

After co-facilitating a self-esteem group for girls and working at a Mexican orphanage last summer, Morgan has realized a passion for promoting social justice and equality.  She is studying at Mount Royal University and plans to enter the social work field in the future. Her ultimate goal is to earn a Masters in Social Work and pursue a career with the United Nations and/or work in a developing country. 

Nicole is working towards a Bachelor of Science degree (Physics major) and currently mentors young women, youth in care and Aboriginal women to pursue post-secondary education and potentially a career in science. She has overcome many personal challenges in her life. Nicole has been tremendously successful at the University of Alberta and hopes to work in a field where she can promote sustainable living and have a positive affect on the environment and society.

Ryan is a proud Blood Tribe member whose Blackfoot name is Sikipiohkiitopii. He currently attends high school in Lethbridge and strongly believes in the cultural ties that give him strength each day. Ryan is an articulate and humble young man who has lived both on reserve and in the city. He is dedicated to increasing resources and opportunities for Aboriginal youth across the province. Ryan’s goal is to study law and politics and eventually influence other young Aboriginal people to get involved in creating positive change. 

Originally from a farm just outside of Ponoka, Samantha is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Science degree at Grant MacEwan University. Her goal is to transfer into the Doctor of Optometry program and one day improve the vision of people in developing nations. She has been actively involved in 4-H, Ponoka Composite High School Student Council and as a Grant MacEwan University Student Ambassador.  Samantha organized one of the first youth-run “Relay for Life” fundraisers in Alberta for the Canadian Cancer Society – where her small community raised more than $20,000 for cancer research. She has a passion for helping others, leading by example and giving people a voice. 

Sarah is from the Elizabeth Métis Settlement near Cold Lake and is finishing Grade 12.. She has witnessed drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy and low numbers of high school completion in the community and would like to increase awareness about these issues and impact positive change. Sarah works as a lifeguard and teaches children to swim. When she graduates from high school, Sarah plans to travel to Africa and help children in need.