My name is Daniel Ramdeo and I am a graduate of the H.Y.P.E (Helping Youth Pursue Education) program. Prior to attending the H.Y.P.E program I was saving money for post-secondary education by taking a year off from school and working (after graduating high school). However, after experiencing some legal problems, I was forced to use that money elsewhere and my attention was diverted from post-secondary education. My cousin brought my attention to the application from the H.Y.P.E program and I then regained hope for obtaining post-secondary education, although I had always been confused about it, and a little fearful.
If it was not for the H.Y.P.E program, and more specifically Tony Granato the Program Manager, I would not currently be enrolled in college or have knowledge of post-secondary education. H.Y.P.E allowed me to enter college not alone, but with new friendships created within the program. This made my experience less intimidating, and more comforting. Also, the relationships among Tony Granato, the H.Y.P.E program graduates, and I, did not weaken after I graduated. Instead, they increased as he followed up with the H.Y.P.E graduates, organizing further social events and providing support and advice as well. I also gained the knowledge of how college life would be first hand from professors and other students and received an inspirational speech/ presentation from former Toronto Argonauts' football player Michael "Pinball" Clemons. Now only because of the H.Y.P.E program, I am currently attending Centennial College and enrolled in the Business program. I was also the Vice-President of the First Generation Student Club, and am currently the Representative of the School of Business. I have also gained a lot of experience, both volunteer and employment, with the college thanks to the H.Y.P.E program.
My goals and hopes for the future are to continue to create music and apply my business knowledge in the industry and make a profit while pursing my passion. I also plan to invest in my college friends by investing in their business ventures so they will be able to experience the same feeling as I do (making a profit from their passion). Through mentoring youth in the First Generation Project I have discovered that I also have a passion for changing lives in a positive way and I definitely see myself continuing to mentor young people and help them so that they can be on a better path for success in their lives. I also want to continue to keep the H.Y.P.E program alive by recruiting volunteers and participants as well as continue to be involved personally so that many more at-risk youth can have their lives transformed.
Sincerely,
Daniel Ramdeo