From Coach to Head Coach: Sophia’s 5-Year Journey

Can you share a bit about yourself?

I was born and raised in Toronto and have spent my whole life in Flemingdon Park, and my family is Chinese-Vietnamese. My dad immigrated to Canada in the late 70s and was considered one of the boat people who fled the Vietnam War, and my mom migrated in the early 90s. My mom fled Vietnam as a teenager and was living in China before migrating to Canada. I have an older sister whom I look up to and would be a mess without (but don’t tell her I said that), and a dog, Mila, who was adopted from Russia. 

Can you speak about your journey with Go Green Youth Centre? 

I first joined GGYC in the summer of 2021, right as we were beginning to come out of the pandemic. I’ve been with the organization for 5 years now, and I started off coaching volleyball and eco-arts before transitioning into becoming one of the main coaches for art. Now, I do a little bit of everything; I lead the Go-Girls program with Hania and Shahnaaz, assist with social media alongside Michelle and Sumaya, and support fundraising efforts. 

My start with GGYC is a little different compared to most. Where most staff started as participants or LITs, I began as a staff member when I was 18. GGYC was my first proper job, and although I knew some people, as a fresh face, I was worried about how I would fit in, but that quickly faded as everyone welcomed me – showing me grace and guidance.

At the end of the summer of 2024, Michael approached me about leading and planning Go-Girls. Since September 2024, in partnership with another partner, Engaged Communities,  our Leaders-in-Training (LITs) and staff have been delivering the Go Girls program on Saturday afternoons, exploring arts and sports. 

For the past 1 - 1.5 years, I’ve also been working closely with Michael, Mashhood, and Lisa on planning, organizing, grant-writing and donor outreach. As of late, I’ve also begun working more closely with Abeir on visuals and branding for our organization. This transition into a more administrative role has been a great learning experience, pushing me out of my comfort zone and finding ways to adapt.

How did GGYC support you in overcoming challenges or pursuing your dreams?

I graduated from photography studies at TMU during the spring of 2025, and since last summer, I’ve been helping with photography and social media management. As I was never previously interested in working with social media, this opportunity has provided a low-risk environment for me to explore different avenues and hone in on relevant skills. Having done so, I’ve started to consider what a career in Outreach and Communications could look like.

Aside from that, a few summers ago, Michael was kind enough to let me bring in my film cameras to shoot while eco-arts was out on walks. It might not seem significant, but being able to photograph the flowers and butterflies – something so small allowed me to nurture my technical skills. It was also exciting to be able to show the kids my 35mm and medium format cameras, and I hope that it sparked their curiosity. 

Interestingly, during the summer of 2025, we also tried a photography program, taking on the Bondar Challenge from the Roberta Bondar Foundation. Going from being a student to a teacher was another interesting learning experience, and I was amazed at some of the photographs taken by the participants, two of whom won recognition awards from the Bondar Challenge itself.

What is your approach to mentorship? 

My approach to mentoring and coaching is to meet people halfway. Everyone is on their own journey, and given the patience and kindness I’ve been shown by people I consider mentors, I approach it the same way. I always try to lead by example, guiding and providing support with the hope that the kids see the potential within themselves and pay it forward. 

What role do you think Go-Girls programming plays in the community?

I think Go-Girls provides an interesting opportunity for young women. Growing up, I never attended camp or programs, so I don’t think I realized what Go-Girls could be. Just based on the last few months and hearing from some of the participants, Go-Girls provides a space that isn’t available elsewhere in the community. We try to explore different art activities and sports, we offer volunteer opportunities, and there’s a dynamic with some of the older girls being mentors to younger participants, despite not being LITs. We have fun at Go-Girls, and I think the participants feel a sense of community in having a space meant for them. 

What are the challenges you see participants facing today?

A challenge I’ve noticed has been the lack of engagement and social interactions. I’ve noticed that disputes occur more often as participants don’t know how to navigate communication. This problem is more evident in younger participants, and I think a direct correlation to this is the chronicity of kids being online. Oftentimes, I’ve noticed that kids would rather be on their phones than engage with others, or use their phones as a means of engagement rather than doing so in person. 

What steps have you taken toward your educational and career goals? 

I pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts, specializing in Photography Media Arts from Toronto Metropolitan University, graduating with distinction in the summer of 2025. I started a passion project documenting the Ontario Line construction in the Don River Valley, focusing on Thorncliffe and Flemingdon Park. There isn’t an end goal, but I’m trying to learn as much as I can and stay curious. 2025 was a kind of bittersweet year – to think that I joined GGYC as I was going into university, and now I’m a graduate. I look forward to 2026 and what new challenges may come!