Vice president, soccer coach, volunteer — Sandip Gill goes by many different titles. Top 25 under 25 recipient is her latest.
Every year for the past 10 years, the Surrey Board of Trade has selected and showcased the achievements of 25 individuals under the age of 25. Recipients are chosen based on their community achievements and involvement, leadership abilities and professional achievements. The 2020 list has been released, and we are excited to announce that one of the recipients is DIVERSEcity staff member, Sandip Gill. This year’s ceremony will take place virtually on September 10 and will include a lineup of interesting speakers, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Before the ceremony, we wanted to sit down with Sandip to find out a little more about the amazing work she has done that led to her huge accomplishment at just age 24.
Journey to the top 25 under 25
Sandip started her DIVERSEcity journey back in 2018 as a middle years coordinator for the First Steps Early Years program. During her time within the role, she has helped countless refugee and immigrant children aged six to 12 integrate into the community, map out recreation opportunities and develop their social and emotional skills.
Being an immigrant herself, Sandip knows how far a helping hand can go. Born in England, she moved to Canada in 2005 along with her family. As she got familiar with her new home, she soon began to volunteer with the City of Surrey and has been doing so ever since 2012. In 2014, she was appointed a youth representative to the City of Surrey Parks, Recreation and Sport Tourism Advisory Committee. It was around this same time that Sandip also began her journey as a volunteer soccer coach for children five to 10 years old with the AKAL FC soccer club based in Surrey.
“I just became really passionate about volunteering. I feel like it is really fun and I get a lot of satisfaction and happiness from it,” Sandip explains.
Sandip then started volunteering with the Youth Transforming Society, a non-profit “that aims to raise awareness for local and global issues and encourage volunteerism among young people.” In June 2015, she began as a volunteer executive and marketing coordinator with the organization. Through hard work and dedication, she was able to quickly move up the ranks throughout the years, standing now as the vice president.
When asked if she had any tips for newcomers who may want to follow her example to leadership, Sandip said, “If you are willing to try new things, you will discover what you are passionate about and where your interests are. You have to put yourself out there and get involved in your community. It can open doors to new opportunities, help you network and build new friendships. No matter how busy you are, I believe everyone should take some time out to give back to the community where they live, work and play.”
What’s next for Sandip Gill?
Sandip has recently graduated with a bachelor of recreation management and a diploma in recreation leadership from Langara College, earning the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal Award for Academic Excellence and a Commitment to Community Service along the way.
Even with so many accomplishments behind her, Sandip isn’t slowing down in her pursuits to help others. On behalf of DIVERSEcity, she is going to be working with the Delta School District this fall on the School’s Out Program, funded by the United Way, to help vulnerable children after school. While she does this, Sandip will also be continuing her role as vice president of the Youth Transforming Society, overseeing numerous volunteering events, including Let’s Talk Volunteering, a Ted Talks-style event that features speakers from various fields to talk to students about their journeys in hopes to inspire them to volunteer. Another event, Volunteering and Beyond, brings together more than 60 organizations to showcase volunteering opportunities to the public, students and youth.
How is this young person able to juggle all her work and tasks so effectively? “The impact we have on the community and seeing the smiles on people’s faces,” notes Sandip, “that’s what really keeps me going.”
We are constantly blown away at the wonderful work our staff accomplishes both at DIVERSEcity and beyond, and Sandip is an exceptional embodiment of that. We could not be prouder to be working alongside such an inspiring, young woman and cannot wait to see what she does next!
If you would like to attend the 25 Under 25 event to celebrate Sandip and the other amazing youth in Surrey being honoured, register here.