Meet Aliya!

I’m currently in my final year at Wilfred Laurier University studying Youth and Children’s Studies, and I’ll be graduating this June. Outside of school and volunteering, I love cooking and baking, working out, and travelling whenever I get the chance.

I chose to volunteer at Sunbeam, specifically Brightside, because I really love the environment and the work that’s being done. It’s been such a supportive space, and it’s given me the experience and guidance I need as I work toward my long-term goals in this field.
During my time volunteering, I’ve gained so much, especially in terms of building connections with the kids, learning how to support different needs, and developing more confidence in my communication and leadership skills.

In the future, I’m hoping to continue my education, and I’ve applied to the master’s program in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Western University. My goal is to work closely with children and youth, supporting their development and making a positive impact in their lives.

My favourite memory from volunteering would definitely be doing a relay race with the kids. It was such a fun moment and really showed how engaged and excited everyone was, which made it so rewarding.

— Aliya is currently volunteering at Brightside in the ABA program.