About
Why did you join the United Way Board of Directors? I joined the United Way Board to bring a youth voice to community decision-making, and to help align youth-focused programs with local needs. My goal is to connect young people to volunteer opportunities, advocacy, and services that improve wellbeing across Cornwall and the surrounding region. I hope that my experiences and passion can help direct allocations to Youth programs that need them.
What specific skills, perspective or lived experience do you bring to the United Way Board of Directors?
I bring direct experience in youth leadership, student representation, and community partnerships. I serve as a Student Trustee and Chair of Student Senate for the Upper Canada District School Board, where I represent student perspectives to the Board and help coordinate student input across multiple schools. Upper Canada District School Board I was selected as a Youth Ambassador in the Cornwall Police Service Youth in Policing Initiative and returned as a team leader for the program’s second run, an experience that taught me program leadership, liaison work between institutions and youth, and how to design safe, constructive youth engagement.
Who is someone that has inspired you to get involved with the United Way?
Someone that inspired me to get involved with United Way is my mother. My mother, Yafa Gowaily, is a landmark community member in Cornwall, and constantly provides connections, experiences, and education to our residents. Her selfless service to helping Canadian newcomers settle into Cornwall through the TR Leger program inspired me to take initiative as a young leader in my city. Her desire to inspire through art at Lameroux park and other local events by way of the Cornwall Art Hive, also plays into my inspiration for community service, as a reflection of her commitment to giving youth a safe space to express their emotions and artist talent. I hope to do the same in my role as a Youth Advisor on the board, assisting our members to make educated and responsible decisions towards youth programming in the area we serve