Oh gosh, where do I start? These young people make me want to be better: whether that means being a better person, a better leader, a better friend… whatever! I’m not just talking about the kids who have done loads for social causes, but also the kids who’ve shown the world nothing but love. I’m talking about the type of people who have this contagious compassion and attitude about life that everyone gets engulfed by to create this chain reaction of giggly bubbly joy! I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a major plus for a world that’s becoming so full of pain and suffering of late.
We tend to overlook the people who have this amazing ability to turn depression into love. WE NEED MORE OF THEM! And then there are the people who take compassion and a sense of duty to create change out of pure devotion… WOW.

We all have times where we’re pessimistic about the world and where we’re headed but its people like the amazing youth I see today who keep me wanting try harder when I see how optimistic and strong they are. It’s this undying commitment and dedication that they carry that makes me so proud and honoured to help them. So, basically what I mean to say is: for the change-makers out there, don’t let people tell you that you’re naive for what you’re doing. At least you’re making a change; whether that’s means inspiring other kids like me, or whether it’s fighting poverty like the Power Rangers against Lord Zedd.

Thank you.

You have all of my respect,

-Sara Bansal (President)

(Director)

Hi, my name is Kiran Bath. I am currently attending Kwantlen University and majoring in criminology and psychology. I joined this organization because it is one of the few out there that allow youth to become involved in what’s going on in their community. What I like most about it is that it is run totally and fully by youth, so their ideas and views are taken, and used to fight poverty.

| Contact Kiran |

(Director)

I am a grade 11 student at Sands Secondary in Delta. I am committed to human rights and global issues, I am working to plan “Change the Beat” benefit concert for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and I founded/run the Sands Secondary Global Issues Club. I am also a member of BC Youth Parliament and the Delta/Surrey Coordinator for Youth Canada. I’m the Secretary for the Youth Arts Council of Surrey and currently volunteering at Kinsmen Place Lodge Senior Home. I am very interested in the sciences and participated in the 2008 BC Sanofi-Aventis Biotalent Challenge and the 2008 Canada-Wide Science Fair.

| Contact Linda |

(Founder/President)

Hello, my name is Sara Bansal and I’m currently 17 years old in the 12th grade at Fleetwood Park Secondary School. I began this organization partly because every initiative I’d been involved with was either not collaborating with other youth initiatives, or they weren’t youth-based at all. The real reason, though, is that I truly believe we have the largest impact on the world as a young force and would love to show kids that they’re not naïve to think they can do something. I firmly believe that working for change is something every youth should experience as a way to discover what power they really hold and to gain a new view of the world and themselves. I’m a pretty normal girl: I do my homework, write music, play the guitar and dedicate my time to trying to make this world a little better!

| Contact Sara |

Not only do youth make up a large portion of the population now, but they also make up the future of our world. We’re a force that can definitely create a change for the better, if we begin now. YEP: Youth Ending Poverty—a youth created, youth oriented and youth organized group—thrives to unite and assist youth in their efforts to change the world. Currently we’re working on creating a network of initiatives throughout BC, so that Student Leaders can connect and collaborate with one another on similar projects, whether they are poverty-related or not. We’re also integrating a mentorship program with Global Agents for Change for any students interested in becoming better leaders and taking their initiatives to the next level. We also hold food/clothes drives for the homeless in downtown Vancouver where we get to meet face to face with them and learn more about what life is like living on the streets.

Hello Yeppers!

As you’ve noticed, VAPY has changed its name to YEP: Youth Ending Poverty! Don’t fret, we still do the same thing!
Peace
-The YEP Team