Focus on Youth Staff
Blessed Mother Teresa
Tiffany West, "This has been a wonderful summer, I was great fully given the opportunity to become a camp counsellor and an even greater opportunity to be able to be place at BMT Footsteps to Success. This opportunity has created many bonds for me with the children of the community; it's surreal because I was in the campers position I've attend this camp for about 3 years and from being able to experience both positions. I've learned a lot from myself and from the kids; the kids opened my eyes and they grew before my eyes. I will truly miss taking the kids on field trips, playing ice breakers, and getting know more about them day by day. It has been a great and exciting summer with Footsteps."
Renee B., "My experience with Footsteps this year has been a great one. It is something I would do again next year, everyday going to work you are just always in a good mood because the kids are just always so happy to see you and are always giving off a positive vibe. The campers are the reason you are excited to go to work everyday so, it just does not feel like you are going there everyday because it is your job and you have to go, it feels more like you are going there ands you have a purpose and that is to be there for the kids; allow them to have someone they can talk to if they need too. While at camp you build a lot of great relationships with campers and counsellors, which you for sure cherish and have no regrets. Therefore, I can honestly say I had an amazing experience with Footsteps."
Brenda Wong, "I've enjoyed every second in this school both on and off campus.This camp experience will always be memorable for me that I remember often I would rather continue playing games with the campers than go on my breaks. I will definitely miss waking up and wearing a green t shirt ready for all camp has to offer. I feel as though teaching the kids has taught me more than it has taught them."
Carissa Ross, "My experience at footsteps to success was truly an amazing one. This is now my second year being a staff member at footsteps. I feel like the kids are very privileged to be able to come to a free camp for six weeks and get breakfast every morning and sometimes a lunch every Friday. When I was their age I never got that and I always want to be paid camps so to be able to know that the community has free camps and is giving the children food that they may not able to get at home is amazing. I feel like the stuff from last year and this past summer is truly amazing with listening to the kids getting kids that don't normally get involved involved in games and sports. The staff takes time with the kids we get to know the kids if you already know the kids to get to know little bit more about them in the six weeks that we spend with them so that by the time the last week comes throw begging us to come back next year and they're all telling us how much they're going to miss us throughout the summer and that is truly an amazing feeling to have knowing that six weeks can make a huge impact on someone's life for the better. I truly hope that the Footsteps to Success camp runs as long as it can because it is an amazing program to have."
Renee B., "My experience with Footsteps this year has been a great one. It is something I would do again next year, everyday going to work you are just always in a good mood because the kids are just always so happy to see you and are always giving off a positive vibe. The campers are the reason you are excited to go to work everyday so, it just does not feel like you are going there everyday because it is your job and you have to go, it feels more like you are going there ands you have a purpose and that is to be there for the kids; allow them to have someone they can talk to if they need too. While at camp you build a lot of great relationships with campers and counsellors, which you for sure cherish and have no regrets. Therefore, I can honestly say I had an amazing experience with Footsteps."
Brenda Wong, "I've enjoyed every second in this school both on and off campus.This camp experience will always be memorable for me that I remember often I would rather continue playing games with the campers than go on my breaks. I will definitely miss waking up and wearing a green t shirt ready for all camp has to offer. I feel as though teaching the kids has taught me more than it has taught them."
Carissa Ross, "My experience at footsteps to success was truly an amazing one. This is now my second year being a staff member at footsteps. I feel like the kids are very privileged to be able to come to a free camp for six weeks and get breakfast every morning and sometimes a lunch every Friday. When I was their age I never got that and I always want to be paid camps so to be able to know that the community has free camps and is giving the children food that they may not able to get at home is amazing. I feel like the stuff from last year and this past summer is truly amazing with listening to the kids getting kids that don't normally get involved involved in games and sports. The staff takes time with the kids we get to know the kids if you already know the kids to get to know little bit more about them in the six weeks that we spend with them so that by the time the last week comes throw begging us to come back next year and they're all telling us how much they're going to miss us throughout the summer and that is truly an amazing feeling to have knowing that six weeks can make a huge impact on someone's life for the better. I truly hope that the Footsteps to Success camp runs as long as it can because it is an amazing program to have."
Father Henry Carr
Karam Marticho, “I am a grade 11 student going to grade 12 who studies at MPJ C.S.S. I was referred to this program by a past counsellor who has told me how awesome Footsteps to Success is. I chose this job over other jobs because I wanted to help build up the community around me. It is definitely a great place to start my first job at and has really changed me as a person. I have learned how to speak up and lead a group of people. Out of all those campers that go to Footsteps to Success camp to enjoy their summer and learn, one person stood out the most to me. His name is Arya. He just came to Canada this summer and is in grade 7. I’ve noticed that not so many campers were helping him enjoy his time and feel comfortable at first, and that’s why I decided to step in and introduce myself to him. I was kind of hesitant at first because he doesn’t speak English but once I spoke with him, I realized how cool and funny he is. His language is kind of similar to mine, his country is right beside mine, and we both have similar traditions/games that we used to play back in our countries. The main reason I wanted to help Arya is because he just recently came to Canada and he has no one that he knows. That was exactly my case when I came 3 years ago, and I won’t lie, my life really sucked for the first year that I was here because I didn’t know anyone here. That was the reason I wanted to help this camper out. The smile that I see on his face makes me smile because I know that I’ve made his experience in this country a good one. Overall, Footsteps to Success doesn’t feel like a job for me, but rather feels like a fun camp. I have fun as much as those campers do.”
St. Timothy
Guia Janelle Pucyutan was a Focus on youth camp counsellor for Footsteps to Success at St. Timothy Catholic School in the summer of 2016. She was an integral part of the leadership group and truly found her voice over the summer with the help of each camper and staff, "My time at Footsteps to Success St. Timothy's has impacted me greatly. To be honest, at the start of the summer, I was not expecting to be attached to camp this much. I loved getting to know my awesome coworkers and I loved spending time with the campers. I loved mingling with them, getting to know a lot of them, and having them get to know me too. I enjoyed being there for them and I am honored that I got to be one of the shoulders that they leaned on during the times that they needed one, especially when they needed help dealing with their pasts such as from the war in Syria."
Jessie Lo was a focus on Youth camp counsellor at Footsteps to Success St. Timothy’s. She was an arts counsellor and personally worked one on one with several Syrian children – helping them with their aggression, personal problems and so much more. She stepped up to the plate and became more than just a friend but a mentor to the campers, “This summer I met an incredible amount of extraordinary people, was opened up to a whole new culture and gained life changing leadership skills. On a more personal level, this was my first job. For a year, no matter where I applied to, I was always turned down so you can imagine how happy I was to receive this job. Working for Footsteps was truly an enjoyable experience. Our goal was to enrich the lives of our campers and open them up to new experiences. We worked hard and planned ahead; making sure we always had something for our campers. The first few weeks were tough, most of our campers were quiet and didn't speak much and were rowdy, but by the end, we got more than what we aimed for. There was so much change, for instance some of our rowdiest campers became some of the best helpers, and some of our shyest campers even participated in the talent show. Our campers, especially our Syrian kids, have deeply expressed their love for Footsteps. Some even left planning for their next summer. Each week we had a different theme where all of our games, trips and talks would be planned around. No camper felt lost or excluded at St. Timothy. I cannot express what this summer has done for me and the Footsteps to Success family, but I can honestly say that I wouldn't, and neither would the kids, trade this experience for anything, hardships and all.”
Michael Zaragoza was a Focus on Youth camp counsellor at the Footsteps to Success St. Timothy’s. He was the leader of the leadership group; he was integral to the success of the leadership group in fundraising $166. He advertised and led every freezie sale. Mike was constantly titled the “favorite counsellor” by several campers, “I worked at the footsteps to Success camp for mainly Syrian refugees. On the first day of camp I remember thinking that this is going to be super tough and not fun. Fortunately, that view changed. It was tough at first but very rewarding, it really drove home, “Do not go out looking for honey and not expect to be stung by bees.” Over the weeks, I made relationships with each and every one of the kids and got to know them individually. We learned a lot from each other and honestly I am proud to see that most, if not all, of them grew as individuals and I am happy to say that I was part of that. The staff grew as individuals too. I can honestly say that this camp was on big family which I was happy and grateful to be a part of.”
Jessie Lo was a focus on Youth camp counsellor at Footsteps to Success St. Timothy’s. She was an arts counsellor and personally worked one on one with several Syrian children – helping them with their aggression, personal problems and so much more. She stepped up to the plate and became more than just a friend but a mentor to the campers, “This summer I met an incredible amount of extraordinary people, was opened up to a whole new culture and gained life changing leadership skills. On a more personal level, this was my first job. For a year, no matter where I applied to, I was always turned down so you can imagine how happy I was to receive this job. Working for Footsteps was truly an enjoyable experience. Our goal was to enrich the lives of our campers and open them up to new experiences. We worked hard and planned ahead; making sure we always had something for our campers. The first few weeks were tough, most of our campers were quiet and didn't speak much and were rowdy, but by the end, we got more than what we aimed for. There was so much change, for instance some of our rowdiest campers became some of the best helpers, and some of our shyest campers even participated in the talent show. Our campers, especially our Syrian kids, have deeply expressed their love for Footsteps. Some even left planning for their next summer. Each week we had a different theme where all of our games, trips and talks would be planned around. No camper felt lost or excluded at St. Timothy. I cannot express what this summer has done for me and the Footsteps to Success family, but I can honestly say that I wouldn't, and neither would the kids, trade this experience for anything, hardships and all.”
Michael Zaragoza was a Focus on Youth camp counsellor at the Footsteps to Success St. Timothy’s. He was the leader of the leadership group; he was integral to the success of the leadership group in fundraising $166. He advertised and led every freezie sale. Mike was constantly titled the “favorite counsellor” by several campers, “I worked at the footsteps to Success camp for mainly Syrian refugees. On the first day of camp I remember thinking that this is going to be super tough and not fun. Fortunately, that view changed. It was tough at first but very rewarding, it really drove home, “Do not go out looking for honey and not expect to be stung by bees.” Over the weeks, I made relationships with each and every one of the kids and got to know them individually. We learned a lot from each other and honestly I am proud to see that most, if not all, of them grew as individuals and I am happy to say that I was part of that. The staff grew as individuals too. I can honestly say that this camp was on big family which I was happy and grateful to be a part of.”