United Way paves the road from war to academia
Wil Konybai was only nine years old when he fled the horrors of Sudan, his single mother hoping to give him and his three brothers the education and opportunities she never had.
“All I remember about Sudan is running, running all the time to different places, different cities to get away from the wars.
“But here in Canada, when I was in school, I just couldn’t understand why. My mother never went to school and I thought I should just quit, so I can work to help her out.”
Just when Konybai was about to leave St. Mary’s High School in downtown Calgary, a unique United Way program called All In For Youth came to his rescue, providing mentorship, counselling and personal support to ensure he graduated.
It was a bumpy road, with plenty of personal and academic struggles, admits Wil, now 22. This summer, he worked with the United Way as a community support worker, just after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Later this fall he will write the LSAT entrance exam for law school.
But it was the dedication, focus and support that his mentors gave him that ensured he graduated with grades good enough to get into the University of Calgary, where he also played basketball.
“I learned a lot about time management, and working hard, sticking to it and not giving up,” said Wil, adding that several of his high school mentors would email him regularly to ensure he would come for math tutoring.
“I would get an email every day saying ‘Are you in the school? Come see me. Let’s do some math.’”
As thousands of Calgary students — from kindergarten to Grade 12 — start classes this week, many will face all kinds of challenges and barriers to success, including poverty, lack of positive supports, mental-health struggles or language barriers.
All In For Youth is partnering with 21 high schools in the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District, connecting up to 2,000 corporate volunteers and 27 staff with students, providing support as mentors, tutors, counsellors, even sports coaches, to help with all the complexities of high school.
Up to $1.4 million is raised through donations and corporate sponsorship, for staff and financial supports for families facing poverty.
“Kids need to develop a capacity for self-esteem and making good decisions — like staying in school, making time for good nutrition, recreation and plenty of time to study,” said Karen Young, president and CEO with the United Way of Calgary. “But they all learn that from having good role models so they can see what success looks like.”
All in For Youth staff are already working throughout schools this week, meeting with kids on the playground, in the halls and in the lunchroom. Supporting vulnerable youth is one of many issues the United Way will tackle through this year’s fundraising campaign, which kicks off Thursday. Festivities will include a parade along Stephen Avenue at 11 a.m. and a celebration at noon at Olympic Plaza with musical entertainment and lunch from Rotary Clubs of Calgary.
All In for Youth, which began with only two mentors in 2012, has grown to more than $5 million in fundraising support overall.