Asha Jama

CSL 100, Fall 2024, Dr. Randelle Nixon

Who was your community partner, and can you describe the project objectives?

Our community partner was Volunteer Alberta, funded by the Canada Service Corps. The CAN Initiative (Creating Accessibility for Newcomers) aimed to empower immigrant and BIPOC youth (ages 15–30) through:

1. Winter sports (snowboarding, curling) to decolonize traditionally exclusionary spaces.

2. Educational workshops (post-secondary readiness, mental health, anti-racism) addressing systemic barriers like finances, language, and family responsibilities.

3. Community-building by fostering reciprocity and social capital among participants while prioritizing mental health and holistic well-being as a step toward SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

What was the biggest takeaway from your CSL placement?

The biggest takeaway was the importance of addressing root causes of inequality rather than superficial solutions. Through frameworks like the ABCD Model and intersectionality, I learned how systemic oppression (e.g., race, class, generational trauma) shapes access to opportunities. For example, a participant’s remark, “I thought curling was just for white people,” highlighted the need to challenge colonial narratives in sports and education.

How can you apply any newly gained knowledge/skills to your future endeavours (courses/employment/volunteering)? 

1. Skills: Grant writing, event planning, and conflict navigation will be valuable in nonprofit or advocacy roles.

2. Critical perspectives: Conscientization (awareness-to-action) will guide my approach in future projects, ensuring I prioritize structural change over charity models.

3. Intersectional analysis: I’ll apply this lens in academic work (e.g., social policy courses) and employment to design inclusive programs.

Why should students consider being involved with CSL, and how does it enhance their academic learning?

CSL bridges theory and practice by:

1. Enhancing critical thinking: Students confront real-world inequities, deepening understanding of course concepts like systemic racism.

2. Building practical skills: Collaboration, time management, and grant writing are transferable to careers

3. Fostering empathy: Engaging directly with communities (e.g., newcomers) challenges biases and reinforces the value of reciprocity over "saviorism."

How has receiving the Student Equity Award been a supportive avenue for you?

The CSL Equity Grant acted as a critical scholarship, alleviating personal financial pressures so I could fully commit to community leadership without sacrificing academic success. It empowered me to develop hands-on nonprofit skills—like project coordination, intersectional advocacy, and grant writing—while pursuing the CSL certificate. These experiences directly honed my ability to advance equity and the UN’s 2030 SDGs, whether through the CAN Initiative or future work in global health and policy.

Asha received a CSL student equity award! With support from the Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada) and the Canadian federal government, CSL awards scholarships to equity-deserving students for their successful participation in an official CSL course.