SAY Alumni

  • At SAY, I stepped out of my comfort zone and worked directly with service users. As a South Asian woman that lives with her parents, there are many times in which I experience restrictions and they were very understanding and accommodating.

    It has left a meaningful impact on me as I was able to feel heard and seen, there have been times when I have encountered certain situations where people do not understand the cultural restrictions I face from my family and even from my own community which have left me feeling alienated.

  • I obtained excellent experience in administration, technology, and social work. SAY created the community I wanted. SAY is quite encouraging and inviting. I felt like a valuable individual of the organization and was given significant projects to work on. The teammates were continuously ready to address my concerns and assist me when I required it, making the move into the position much easier. The amount of assurance that the team placed in me was the thing that I appreciated and profited greatly from my time with SAY. I was assigned with the opportunity to manage tasks on my own and make choices that affected the organization, which was a fantastic learning opportunity. The staff was always there to offer advice and assistance, yet they additionally let me take responsibility of my job and formulate my own challenge strategy.

  • My time at SAY has been an immensely rewarding and transformative experience. It has strengthened my belief in the power of collective action and reinforced my commitment to social causes. The collaborative and inclusive nature of the SAY fosters a sense of community among the team members and I had the privilege of working with passionate individuals who share the same vision. The challenges faced at SAY have also taught me invaluable lessons in resourcefulness and resilience. Juggling limited resources while striving to achieve ambitious goals has honed my problem-solving skills and adaptability. Moreover my time at SAY has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, develop leadership qualities, and cultivate empathy and compassion.

  • Jacqueline successfully concluded her practical learning experience at SAY in Spring 2023, as an integral component of her online certificate studies in Program Evaluation at the Centre for Community Research, Learning, and Action at Wilfrid Laurier University. Hailing as a first-generation Guatemalan-Canadian immigrant, she embarked on her Canadian journey alongside her family at the age of sixteen.

    Among her remarkable accomplishments, Jacqueline played a pivotal role in spearheading the development of an evaluation process for the experimental learning program at SAY. Her proficiency in this undertaking underscored her dedication to enhancing program effectiveness and making a tangible difference in SAY's initiatives. Additionally, she introduced the WIL model to the experimental learning program and initiated the co-op process, enabling us to onboard and initiate a fresh cohort of experiential learners.

  • I worked on many skills that I will be able to take forward to my Winter co-op term. The main skills that I worked on are being independent, teamwork, communication and leadership. Working with a team where you are dependent on each other to move along your project and get things done is really important and helps you understand everyone’s perspective. I learned to be able to work alone and get things done so that we continue to move forward with the project was important. Learning to use new tools like notion and slack to be able to communicate to team members who are located all over Canada was a new skill to learn since we are all working on different time zones was a great new skill to have. Lastly, taking up iniatives into getting work done on time was important. Like I mentioned having to take up the initiative to interview leads of the South Asain Yard was a new experience and helped me work on my leadership skills. Overall, my time at the South Asian yard has been great and I have learned many new skills that I can take with me as I continue to move on with my life.

  • My experience as a placement student at SAY has been exceptionally rewarding and enriching. It has provided me with a unique opportunity to apply my academic knowledge and skills in a real-world setting while contributing to a cause I am deeply passionate about.

    I had the privilege of working alongside dedicated professionals at South Asian Yard, who are committed to the well-being and empowerment of South Asian women in our community. Their mentorship and guidance have been invaluable in my personal and professional growth.

    The challenges I encountered during my placement, such as addressing cultural sensitivities and advocating for the rights of South Asian women, have been both eye-opening and transformative. These experiences have allowed me to develop resilience, cultural competence, and a deep understanding of the unique issues faced by South Asian women, which I believe will be crucial in my future endeavors.

  • My time as an intern at the South Asian Yard has been nothing short of transformative. From the moment I stepped through the doors of this remarkable organization, I was welcomed into a vibrant and inclusive community dedicated to making a real difference in the South Asian community. The learning opportunities provided during my internship were invaluable. I had the chance to work closely with a team of passionate professionals who were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive. They encouraged me to explore new ideas, ask questions, and challenge myself in ways I never thought possible. Through their mentorship, I gained insights into various aspects of community development, from grassroots initiatives to advocacy efforts. What truly sets the South Asian Yard apart is its unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion. I witnessed firsthand the organization's tireless efforts to empower South Asian voices and create a more understanding society. This commitment deeply resonated with me, and I felt privileged to contribute to their meaningful projects. My time at the South Asian Yard has left a lasting impression on me. It has enriched my understanding of social change, human relations, and inspired me to continue working towards a more supportive and inclusive world.

  • I had the incredible opportunity to be a placement student at SAY, and I can honestly say it was a transformative experience. From the moment I stepped into the organization, I was welcomed with open arms by a team of dedicated professionals who were passionate about their work.

    During my time at SAY, I had the chance to work on a wide range of projects that allowed me to apply the knowledge and skills I had acquired during my academic studies. Whether it was conducting research on important social issues, collaborating with community partners, or assisting in the organization of impactful events, every day brought new challenges and opportunities for growth.

    What truly sets SAY apart is its commitment to making a difference in the community. The organization's focus on promoting social justice, cultural awareness, and inclusivity is truly inspiring. I was fortunate to be a part of initiatives that aimed to empower individuals and communities, and it was incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact of our work firsthand.

  • I had the incredible opportunity to be a placement student at the South Asian Yard, and I can honestly say it was a transformative experience. From the moment I stepped into the organization, I was welcomed with open arms by a team of dedicated professionals who were passionate about their work.

    During my time at the South Asian Yard, I had the chance to work on a wide range of projects that allowed me to apply the knowledge and skills I had acquired during my academic studies. Whether it was conducting research on important social issues, collaborating with community partners, or assisting in the organization of impactful events, every day brought new challenges and opportunities for growth.

    What truly sets the South Asian Yard apart is its commitment to making a difference in the community. The organization's focus on promoting social justice, cultural awareness, and inclusivity is truly inspiring. I was fortunate to be a part of initiatives that aimed to empower individuals and communities, and it was incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact of our work firsthand.

  • I had the incredible opportunity to be a placement student at the South Asian Yard, and I can honestly say it was a transformative experience. From the moment I stepped into the organization, I was welcomed with open arms by a team of dedicated professionals who were passionate about their work.

    During my time at the South Asian Yard, I had the chance to work on a wide range of projects that allowed me to apply the knowledge and skills I had acquired during my academic studies. Whether it was conducting research on important social issues, collaborating with community partners, or assisting in the organization of impactful events, every day brought new challenges and opportunities for growth.

    What truly sets the South Asian Yard apart is its commitment to making a difference in the community. The organization's focus on promoting social justice, cultural awareness, and inclusivity is truly inspiring. I was fortunate to be a part of initiatives that aimed to empower individuals and communities, and it was incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact of our work firsthand.

  • At the South Asian Yard, I had the chance to work alongside dedicated professionals who are not only experts in their respective fields of management and operations, but also deeply committed to making a positive impact on South Asian communities. I was amazed by their passion for social change and their unwavering dedication to the organization's mission.

    Throughout my placement, I was encouraged to take on project clarity initiatives, which allowed me to apply my communication and leadership skills I had gained in both academic studies and previous volunteering experiences. This experience was invaluable, as it not only reinforced my understanding of community and engagement based programs but also taught me valuable lessons in project management and teamwork.

    One of the standout aspects of my placement was the inclusive and supportive work environment. The South Asian Yard fosters a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion, making it a place where every voice is heard and valued.

    I wholeheartedly recommend the South Asian Yard to any student seeking a placement that combines impactful work with a supportive and enriching experience.

  • As a working student at the South Asian Yard, I can confidently say that I had a great time and definitely learned a lot. I was very excited to work with The South Asian Yard from the beginning of my placement since it is a cause and organization that I truly believe in but also relate to. By working here, I knew that the work I was putting in contributed to something that would help my community.

    I really enjoyed working with my cohort this work term and it was a great group of people who were very passionate but also very impactful which made the work experience more fun and valuable. I learned more about how to work as a team and how important it is to serve the community and help and support those who need it.

    I learned many skills such as time management, teamwork, and how to use a much of new communication platforms. These skills have taught me how to become responsible and a more efficient team player. I learned that the work done in a career field is done in a team and there has to be effective team communication for tasks to be done. I am grateful that I had a great team and a great mentor who could guide me and also help me with any concerns I had.

  • As a second-generation brown girl, my connection to SAY’s goals and values runs deep, which is what initially drew me to the project. The skills I have gained through my involvement with SAY have been invaluable. Whether it's leadership, teamwork, communication, or organizational skills, SAY has provided me with a unique opportunity to develop and refine these abilities. I’ve taken on responsibilities that have not only enhanced my personal growth but have also empowered me to contribute meaningfully to SAY’s mission. Beyond the skills, SAY has also introduced me to a network of like-minded girls who have become my friends rather than colleagues.

  • As a second-generation brown girl, my connection to SAY’s goals and values runs deep, which is what initially drew me to the project. The skills I have gained through my involvement with SAY have been invaluable. Whether it's leadership, teamwork, communication, or organizational skills, SAY has provided me with a unique opportunity to develop and refine these abilities. I’ve taken on responsibilities that have not only enhanced my personal growth but have also empowered me to contribute meaningfully to SAY’s mission. Beyond the skills, SAY has also introduced me to a network of like-minded girls who have become my friends rather than colleagues.