Our goal is to help everyone grow to their full potential so they can reach their dreams. We have the great privilege of seeing this vision come to life in many of the youth who grow up with our programs. One remarkable individual we’ve had the joy of working with over the years is a young person named Fatima.

Fatima’s natural leadership and ability to connect with others have made her one of the most active members in our Youth Programming. She is wise beyond her years and her calmness provides the perfect balance to her unwavering determination. As Fatima prepares to graduate high school this year, we look back on her journey with us and the positive changes she brought to Trellis.

Starting out

As a newcomer to Canada, Fatima remembers being very shy, only talking to her family and close friends. She grew up in a small village in Pakistan, where she was surrounded by her whole extended family. Some of her fondest memories are of times spent with her cousins and grandparents.

Moving to the other side of the world at the age of five was a difficult transition for Fatima. She had to learn a new language and culture, but the hardest part was the switch from seeing her relatives every day to not at all.

“Everybody’s house was a wall away. We were all connected,” Fatima recalls. “Then we came to Canada, and there was nobody here.”

A home away from home

Fatima was in the seventh grade when she came across Trellis’ table at a Canada Day event. After meeting the staff and taking a look at their Youth Programming calendar, she decided to sign up for their Cook and Learn class.

Fatima “absolutely loved” the program and felt an instant connection. She had so much fun, she kept coming back.

“Everybody who was participating had a different background. It was a nice environment where it was like a really big family just cooking together,” Fatima says. “I met a lot of new people and made many new friends through these programs.”

Youth Programming soon became Fatima’s “second home away from home” where she would go to hang out after school. Getting to know others at the program also brought her out of her shell and grew her confidence.

Landing her first job

A new opportunity came up when Fatima was introduced to the Stampede Youth Work Experience Program. She was nervous about applying for her first job, but she credits Sherry, Trellis’ Youth Employment Facilitator, who was there for her through every step.

Sherry, a Youth Worker on the Trellis Youth Employment team, helped Fatima prepare her resume and practice interview questions, giving her tips and tricks to do well. Thanks to Sherry’s support, Fatima went on to ace her interview. In fact, the hiring team was so impressed, they originally thought she was overqualified for the job.

“They called me back and I was like, ‘Oh, my God!’” Fatima says. “It was a big accomplishment. I was excited. My family was excited. And it was also my first time going to Calgary Stampede.”

Fatima continued to exceed expectations, and it was during that summer when her personality finally came out. She was always the first one at the Stampede grounds, arriving two hours early, and would offer to help with any preparations for the day. Working the Stampede grounds with her team also helped her to open up.

“That was one big thing that I got out of Stampede,” Fatima says. “Interacting with everybody just boosted my confidence and helped me really improve my communication skills.”

Those same skills would come in handy at Fatima’s subsequent jobs, which she applied for on her own. From working at Callaway Park to the Calgary Zoo, Fatima put almost everything she earned towards her post-secondary education so that come this fall, she’ll be able to attend university without student loans.

Forging her own path

Over the years, Fatima grew from the support she received. But it’s fair to say she has made just as big an impact on our programs. Wherever there was an opportunity to help, Fatima was always the first to sign up.

“She has the biggest heart. She just likes giving back whenever she can,” Sherry says.

Encouraging youth input nurtured Fatima’s passion for helping people. With guidance from Sherry, Fatima created the Youth Volunteer Club, connecting youth with seniors and local events like Global Fest. Fatima also started the Girls Club/Sports for Building Youth Connections so that female-identifying youth could have a safe space to bond and have fun together. Many of the program’s youth were newcomers to Calgary, just as Fatima was years ago. Anytime someone new showed up, Fatima took the first step to introduce herself.

“I know what it felt like,” Fatima says. “When you’ve experienced that yourself, you want to help other people, so they don’t feel left out. I want to make everybody feel very welcome.”

The future for Fatima

Fatima is looking forward to graduating high school and has been accepted into the computer science program at the University of Calgary. Sherry believes without question that Fatima will be amazing in whatever she chooses to do.

“I have no doubt that she’s going to be my boss one day because she’s just so motivated,” Sherry says.

Though she’ll be moving on to a new chapter of her life, Fatima intends to stay connected with her Trellis family.

“I still call Sherry if I ever need anything. She’s been there for me through thick and thin. I still volunteer with Trellis. I’m never going to leave the program.”