A University of Waterloo Recreation and Leisure Studies student is one of ten exceptional youth presented with the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers - the highest honour a young person can achieve for volunteer contributions to the province.
Fitsum Areguy, 24, of Kitchener volunteers with the Young Carers Project (YCP), which educates the public about young carers and builds a supportive community for them. He is a leader on the youth advisory committee; he speaks at public events; and he helped create YCP's guidebook, website and documentary film. Fitsum also volunteers with the Male Allies public education program to end gender-based violence and the REACH For It! Program for youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, presented the medals today at a ceremony held at Queen's Park, joined by Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade.
It is a privilege to recognize these outstanding young people who have earned the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers. They have demonstrated great dedication, commitment and generosity. Their accomplishments show that the actions of one person, regardless of their age or circumstance in life, can make a real difference.”
- The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario