Hello!
My name is Tamara Peralta and as of August 1st, 2007, I have been given the opportunity to manage and coordinate the Youth Programs at United Way of Winnipeg. This is an exciting opportunity for me because the youth programs – all of which fall within the Youth Relations Strategy at United Way of Winnipeg – are an effective means of engaging youth to participate in meaningful and valued roles both within the organizational sturcture of United Way and the community at large.
To give you a bit of background, I graduated with a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Manitoba in 2005. From there, I was accepted into the City Planning program at the University of Manitoba. I recently completed all of the requirements for the City Planning program, and will be graduating with a Master of City Planning in October of 2007.
You may ask, what is the relationship between city planning and youth engagement? Well, the answer is quite simple: city planning further developed my passion for engaging and collaborating with the multiple groups that define society. By engaging youth, not only do we begin to listen to their voices, youth engagement also allows us to appreciate the dynamic and fresh ideas young people are able to contribute.
For the few months that I have held the position of Manager of Youth Relations to date, I have truly gained a real understanding and appreciation for the energy, creativity and innovation that young people bring to the table. With this, I look forward to continue to work alongside the many youth volunteers, all of whom are invaluable partners in United Way of Winnipeg’s Youth Relations Strategy.
Tamara Peralta!
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