Location: Calgary, Alberta
Since his days as Students’ Union president at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Gar Gar has had a heart for helping youth. It is a passion that he now brings to his work with youth in Calgary’s Forest Lawn community.
From connecting struggling post-secondary students with financial aid, to being the driving force behind building community basketball courts in Forest Lawn, Gar strives to provide the resources kids need to succeed and stay on the right track.
Gar is a founder behind the Calgary non-profit organization Youth Empowerment and Skills (YES) Centre, where he acts as a champion and advocate for youth across the community. The centre offers an array of programming including mentorship, employment and skills training, food hampers, help with school supplies and more. For example, the YES afterschool program gives kids a safe and welcoming space for help with homework or ongoing tutoring. And, the centre’s sports programs give aspiring athletes – and kids just looking for some fun – a chance to try soccer, basketball, volleyball and badminton at no cost. Gar also founded the YYC Kids Ride, which has distributed more than 3,500 donated bikes to disadvantaged youth.
Young adults and parents are also welcome. Gar created the Community Conversation Circle to help Forest Lawn residents learn about the many cultural backgrounds that make up the richly-diverse neighbourhoods by sharing food, stories and a lot of laughter.
For his commitment to youth and dedication to volunteerism, Gar Gar is a much-deserving recipient of Northern Lights Volunteer Recognition honours.
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