Vivian Tsang

Director

Why did you join HOPE?

I joined hope because I think it's beautiful when groups of people from different backgrounds come together for a common cause. From the marginalized demographics we work with, we hear a lot of stories and see for ourselves the passion people have for life, no matter what stage they are in theirs and what struggles they may be facing. As opposed to a lot of charities, HOPE works through mutual aid and long-term partnerships but also leave room for members to initiate projects based on what they see to be issues rising in their communities. This is what I love about what we do.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am incredibly inspired by people who overcome their struggles and rise up to become an inspiration to others around them. When doing the Warmth of Winter Stories series in Vancouver's downtown east side, I often find myself hearing more than just stories but rather sharing life with residents that live amongst its streets. On one of the outings this year, I met one of the residents I spoke with a year ago who is now sober and enrolled back into school! Even though we only spoke for a mere hour and a half a year ago, he recognized me and even brought up details of our conversation. This was a very humbling experience and keeps me motivated to continue the work we do.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

To mentor young people and equip them with resources as well as work along the boundaries of humanitarian aid and healthcare to improve accessibility for marginalized population groups.

Harleen Cheema

Director

Why did you join HOPE?

I joined HOPE because the three pillars that HOPE works around, namely, student empowerment, outreach within schools, and reaching out towards community groups not only help give back to the community, but also help learn important skills such as leadership, communication, and teamwork. I have always been passionate about helping the marginalized groups in the community and I believe that HOPE is the perfect platform for me to do so. I am excited to be a part of this team full of people with a vision similar to that of mine, a vision to help those in need.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about helping the homeless people who are often-misjudged for their situation. I would love to know their stories and help them enjoy the most basic necessities of life.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I am very passionate about travelling to different developing countries and help the rural areas of those cuntries with their healthcare. I want to travel the world and hear life stories of people with different backgrounds and cultures.

Vanya Singh

Director

Why did you join HOPE?

I joined HOPE a few years ago because I was eager to find a club full of students who were passionate about reaching out and helping others. HOPE seemed like a perfect fit, because I knew I would have the chance to voice my own ideas, while simultaneously helping to plan and coordinate events that were already a part of the club.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I have wanted to help high school students the most throughout my time with HOPE, because I remember what it was like to be in their position. I remember the stress of applying and going to university, and not having anyone to ask questions. I want to help reduce the stress these younger students have and help make their transition to university a lot smoother.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I hope to be able to spend my life helping others in some way, as cheesy and stereotypical as it sounds. I want to be able to make positive impact in other people's lives, whether it be as a physician or even indirectly through research.

Lauren Yip

Director

Why did you join HOPE?

For many students, we're privileged to have a warm place to go home to, and food to eat when we're hungry. But for some people, they don't have that chance to have somewhere to be at night, and they are constantly struggling to find the light at the end of the tunnel in their lives. HOPE brings together students not just from UBC, but also youth from the Lower Mainland to come together to help document and spread awareness on the struggles of those living on the streets of Vancouver.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about helping youth and women in the Lower Mainland who are homeless or are living in shelters, as well as individuals who are suffering from mental illness or coping with (cyber)bullying. Both population groups are subject to a lot of stigma - not only can these population groups be easily excluded or shunned from the general population, but not enough attention and awareness is raised to help others truly understand the struggles of these 2 groups.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

To help every person I meet live their most positive life, empowering youth and leaders to embody kindness and a heart of compassion, raise awareness for those struggling with mental illess and bullying, and to push for better healthcare for our community's most vulnerable individuals.

Lauren Yip

Sponsorship Coordinator

Why did you join HOPE?

Being new to both UBC and Vancouver, I believe that UBC HOPE is a great way to familiarize myself with both the school and outside community. Of all the programs at UBC, the message of HOPE resonates with me most. I think it is of the utmost importance to collectively work to better society as a whole; to be able to work with marginalized groups of society benefits both parties in gaining insight into prevalent issues and constructively interconnects the community, as a whole.

What population group are you most passionate about?

Coalescing the community through constructive synergy with marginalized groups is a purpose both integral to UBC HOPE and something that I have been working towards throughout high school. I have focused on the financially deprived communities around my school, working on both providing tutoring and free piano lessons to those in less fortunate communities. However, I hope to expand my reach to perhaps overlooked marginalized groups and create change around them, as well.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I hope that I can spend my time helping the less fortunate around me, as others did when I was younger. In that way, I aspire to better the community and generate an atmosphere of unity and interdependence.

Sophia Wang

Networking Correspondent

Why did you join HOPE?

I believe human beings need a comfortable place to live as a support for other aspects of life. We are supposed to create an environment for everyone to thrive and concentrate on other meaningful areas for the improvement of world.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about senior people as I was raised up by my grandparents.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I would like to spend my time to travel around the world and seek ways of solving less fortunate people's life problems.

Justin Leung

Events and Logistics Administrator

Why did you join HOPE?

I joined last year and had the opportunity to help out high school kids entering University. It felt good to help others transition smoothly into post secondary since I remember how hard it was for myself. I want to join again to continue helping others in whatever way I can.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about minority groups who might be taken advantage of and not treated with the respect they deserve.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I hope to be in the medical field and help those who are ill in the future.

Noor Riaz

Interclub Liaison

Why did you join HOPE?

I joined H.O.P.E because as I have always had a bubbling passion to give back to the community (that has given us so much), and make a positive impact by working with the disadvantaged and marginalized groups within society. I was initially drawn to the unique goal of H.O.P.E., empowering others through mutual aid and the 3 pillars approach, student empowerment, outreach within school, and outreach within society, connecting with individuals and communities directly. I want work with like minded individuals to take part in eradicating negative stigmas and stereotypes and helping everyone find their place within society based on universal principles of love, acceptance, and belonging.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about working with youth, as I believe it is important to educate the leaders of tomorrow for a brighter future. As well, I want to ease high school students’ transition to university as every student struggles to get through it, with limited support and resources.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I want to dedicate my life to teaching and educating others, empowering and inspiring them to dream big and to never stop chasing their dreams.

Vivian Lee

Treasurer

Why did you join HOPE?

I joined the HOPE team because I am inspired by the club's three pillars and how it is based on mutual aid as well as student empowerment. I want to contribute to the community by working with like-minded peers to actively play our part in solving societal issues.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about helping high school students with their transition to post-secondary. As I have been mentored myself, I understand how useful it is to get advice from someone who has previous experience and I want to do the same for my mentees.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I hope to dedicate my life to helping both individuals and organizations solve challenging problems. Also, I believe in doing random acts of kindness and making small impacts in a postive way.

Angela Wong

Treasurer's Assistant

Why did you join HOPE?

I joined HOPE because I am passionate about making a positive difference in the community by providing support and empowering marginalized groups. I found that HOPE’s goals align with my personal aspirations, and I wanted to work with like-minded individuals as part of HOPE. By empowering others to reach their dreams, I can also fulfill mine of helping others improve their lives.

What population group are you most passionate about?

Even though I would like to help as many people as I can, I am most passionate about helping disadvantaged youth and women. I would like to empower and support these population groups to reach their full potential and achieve happiness in life.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I hope to dedicate my life to helping members of the community through healthcare. I also hope to raise awareness for various marginalized groups that struggle to achieve the same quality of life that I have been given.

Sukhleen Thind

Media Manager

Why did you join HOPE?

After hearing about HOPE, I knew that it was the perfect place for me to advance my commnication skills in a diverse community while as contributing my knowledge in technology. HOPE's four pillars are something I would like to bring in to my day to day life, enabling me to stay grounded, empower other's and be apart of a community were diversity is always encouraged.

What population group are you most passionate about?

Working as an athelete mentor and coach for teens with special needs, I had a completely different outlook in life. It helped me grow as an individual, by practicing patience and perserverence. My passion lies in working with teens with mental and physical disabilties as well as their families to help these populations groups achieve harmony in their lives.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I hope to apply my technology skills in order to create an interface where people can learn and communicate alongside their peers with special needs. By creating an online community which connects people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles, I will be apart of fostering new relationships, which is something I would like to spend my life doing.

Jenny Luo

Director

Why did you join HOPE?

I joined HOPE because I want to connect with the campus and discover new opportunities in the community. HOPE gives me the chance to learn and support the marginalized groups, and work with a passionate team to help others via different avenues.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about helping those suffereing from mental health illnesses and those who can't voice themselves freely due to disorders.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I hope to dedicate my life to helping those in need to the best of my abilities. Regardless of how big or small the changes that my actions could make, I hope I could make the day of those in need just a little better and bring a smile to their face.

Gurkamel Gill

Director

Why did you join HOPE?

I joined HOPE to better service my local community through mutual aid which I think is something that differentiates HOPE from a lot of other charities. I was especially drawn to the mentorship program because it is something that I wish I had when transitioning into university. I look forward to working closely with schools and mentoring passionate young individuals during my time at HOPE.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about helping youth because they shape the future of our society. This group will be our future voters, leaders, and pioneers. There are many disadvantaged youth on the streets of Vancouver and I would like to do my part in ensuring a bright future and equal opportunity for all.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I want to dedicate my life to further empowerment of youth and equal opportunity of individuals from a healthcare perspective.

Geoffrey Lau

HOPE for Success Coordinator

Why did you join HOPE?

HOPE has been such an amazing organization to me. They gave me guidance during my application and I love to have the opportunity to mentor and provide guidance to others. I am passionate about helping people, no matter the background, whenever and however I can. I believe that HOPE is an amazing and unique organization that offers an great service to incoming students. HOPE's work with marginalized communities is also an important initiative which works to de-stigmatize the stereotypes surrounding the homeless community. HOPE offers them a voice when they cannot speak for themselves, or when they do speak but no one listens.

What population group are you most passionate about?

Currently, I am passionate about working with two groups of people: those in suburban poverty, and those dealing with mental health issues. Suburban poverty is a problem that grows as the spread of suburbia prevents those dealing with poverty in suburban areas from gaining access to the resources they need. Those in urban areas have more resources (shelters, food banks, etc.), that is lacking in suburban areas. I am also passionate about working with those who are dealing with mental health problems. I have known many people, friends and family included, who struggle with mental health problems and I only want to be able to help them find peace and solace.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

My interests surround the medical field, which although vast, provides with a variety of careers and paths to follow. I want to use my life to better the lives of others, whether that will be achieved through research or as a practicing medical professional. I am interested in psychology and neuroscience because those fields are relatively new and very engaging. It also provides me with the opportunity to work in the field of mental health which I believe is only now becoming recognized as a legitamite health problem.

Monorme Chaudhury

Mentor Recruiter and Organizer

Why did you join HOPE?

I have a general passion for helping people around me especially those who belong to that section of the society where their access to resources are limited.When I had read online about what the HOPE committee exactly does,I was interested in contributing to the committee and on a larger scale,to our society.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about helping those around me who have faith in themselves and when the going gets difficult,they never lose hope and choose an easier path but strive to struggle through all obstacles and emerge victorious.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I want to make the most of my education here at UBC and help people around me,not only the underprivileged section but even those who find it difficult to reach out and speak their hearts out when there are difficult,distressing times.

Vivian Thieu

HR Coordinator

Why did you join HOPE?

I joined HOPE because we often overlook the problems that many people face in our society, and being a part of an initiative that aims to promote the wellbeing and success of marginalized people is taking a step towards changing that. It is also incredibly inspiring and motivational to be able to work alongside like-minded individuals who are passionate about the same things as I am.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about disadvantaged youth and vulnerable adults because I believe that everybody should be equipped with the same tools and resources to trek through life with, but if sometimes that journey doesn’t go as planned, they should not be stripped of their chances to try again. That is why being a part of HOPE has been so humbling for me — we have been able to interact with both of these population groups through the events that we host!

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I have an array of interests and am not exactly sure what I want to pursue yet (it’s between law, social work, and teaching), but I know that whatever I choose to do, it will definitely be something where I can help improve the lives of others — as cliche as that sounds.

Kaushali Ghosh

HR Coordinator

Why did you join HOPE?

I joined HOPE because this club’s values closely tie in with my own. I strongly believe in action driven initiatives which positively impact minorities and broadens the perspectives of those helping out. I also wanted to work with like minded, passionate individuals who love helping others as much as I do.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about impoverished groups who are at a disadvantage due to race, mental illness and/or disability.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I hope to use my skills by helping others, through work and volunteer projects. I wish to pursue a career in the healthcare field, and my ultimate goal is work for Doctors Without Borders.

Manish Toofany

High School Teacher Contact Liaison

Why did you join HOPE?

What struck me initially about HOPE’s initiative was that it strives to empower both the student body at UBC and all members of the Vancouver community at large. The opportunity to help marginalized groups, meet like-minded students, and grow outside of my comfort zone lead to me joining HOPE.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about children and youth. I believe all children should be given access to a strong education and to literacy, as it is the spark to a child's creativity and imagination.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I hope to dedicate my life to a career in healthcare. While I have not decided what particular profession to pursue, I think a career in healthcare is the perfect bridge between my interest in disease transmission and my desire to make a meaningful change in the world.

Emily Eltherington

Mentor

Why did you join HOPE?

I joined Hope because I wanted to meet people who wanted to help the world in the same way that I do. Also, to help others overcome their difficulties and to give them better opportunities.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about youths who arent able to reach their full potential due to disadvantages in their lives and their communities.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

I hope to dedicate my life to teaching people about the past so that we can better our future and not repeat the same mistakes. I also wish to teach people how to treate everyone with kindness and compassion because one kind act can change someones life.

Ashley Haines

Mentor

Why did you join HOPE?

I joined hope because I wanted to meet a group of people who are willing to contribute positively to their communities through leadership and community service. I knew I wanted to get involved in my first year of university, so I thought that joining HOPE and receiving the opportunity to mentor high school students, as well as getting to help marginalized groups in our community would help to make our school and city a better place. I am looking forward to learning about various demographics, issues, and ways to help and benefit our community!

What population group are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about youth in need. It doesn't matter if it is youth who are struggling in our own city, or youth overseas; I care about helping all youth around the world. I feel for youth who are going through difficult situations, mental health issues, and trouble getting a proper education due to compromising circumstances. Being a mentor in various high schools around Greater Vancouver will help me reach out to youth leaders who can inspire their peers in school as well.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

My goal is ultimately to enter the field of education. I wish to inspire youth to become engaged in their learning but to also learn outside of the classroom through getting involved and becoming more aware of societal issues in their community. I hope to dedicate my life to inspiring others to become active leaders who are determined to create positive change in the world.

Melanie Liu

Mentor

Why did you join HOPE?

I initially saw a post about Warmth of Winter and after reading about the values and goals of HOPE, I realized it had aligned with my own interests. I decided that with a group of passionate young individuals, we can make a huge positive impact within our own communities and hopefully branch out to inspire others around us to do the same.

What population group are you most passionate about?

I would love to have the opportunity to reach out to youths as well as the east-Vancouver community.

Fun fact: What do you hope to dedicate your life to doing?

My goal is to become a dietitian who can travel and provide healthcare to those who might not have access to it.