By Felicia Pagulayan, Youth Development Coordinator, Santos Youth Council
When I began my Co-Op placement at Councillor Santos’ office in the fall of 2024, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Over the course of this unforgettable experience, I truly found my path thanks to the mentorship of the incredible people on this team, and was exposed to transformative new opportunities. Now, as my chapter here as an intern comes to a close, I find myself reflecting with pride on the initiatives and events I had the privilege to work on, efforts that have left a lasting impression on the Santos Youth Council and our community.
Building the SYC Leadership Team
One of the very first initiatives that I championed in the fall of 2024 was to create an Executive Team to lead the 300+ members of our council. Over a two month period, I worked closely with Councillor Santos and the team to design five positions and select young people who would effectively serve as role models and leaders within our community. When applications closed in December of 2024, we had over 20 applications for the positions of Co-Chair, Director of Public Relations, Director of Internal Affairs, and Director of Community Events!
Through this process of creating roles, designing application forms, and choosing the right candidates, I felt most grateful to be able to connect with all the youth who put their names forward for these roles. Each applicant brought unique ideas, passion, and a genuine desire to make a difference in their community. While only five were ultimately selected for the leadership team, we successfully achieved our greater goal: creating a space where youth feel heard, valued, and empowered to actively participate in shaping the direction of the Santos Youth Council.
Earth Day Cleanup 2025
Environmental advocacy and community engagement is a key priority for the SYC. This year, for our second annual Earth Day Park Cleanup, the Santos Youth Council hosted 400+ volunteers at Andrew McCandless Park! In the beginning stages of planning for this event, I took the lead in booking Andrew McCandless Park as the event venue, working closely with sponsors to ensure their support and presence on the day. As Youth Development Coordinator, I also mentored the leadership team, guiding them through the planning and organizing process to make sure everything ran smoothly.
Collaborating with groups such as Human Nature Projects, Credit Valley Conservation, Let’s Get Together, and People Against Littering, we collectively removed an impressive amount of garbage, leaving the park sparkling clean and ready to be enjoyed by all. To celebrate the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, we hosted a lively barbecue with delicious refreshments from Concord Coffee, making it a day where everyone truly had a blast while having a lasting positive impact on our community!
Local Pulse Drop Initiative
This summer, armed with hyperlocal newsletters for each neighborhood in Wards 1 & 5, volunteers from the Santos Youth Council showed up every week to our letter drops!
As the Youth Development Coordinator, it was my task each week to create call-outs on our various social media platforms to recruit volunteers. A key takeaway from this initiative is that when youth are given clear opportunities to contribute and a platform to be heard, their enthusiasm and commitment naturally follow. By connecting directly with their communities, these young leaders not only helped spread important local news but also strengthened their own sense of agency and belonging.
Improving Online Youth Engagement
What I found most memorable about my internship here in Councillor Santos’ office was managing the Santos Youth Council Instagram account. If you’re following the SYC account and have been keeping an eye on our feed, you’ve for sure seen all of the posts promoting registration, local events, and volunteering opportunities! If you’re following the SYC account and have been keeping an eye on our feed, you’ve for sure seen all of the posts promoting registration, local events, and volunteering opportunities!
For me, managing the Santos Youth Council Instagram account was a valuable experience as it allowed me to use social media as a tool to engage with youth in our community. It challenged me to think creatively and strategically about how to turn a simple post into a meaningful call to action, sparking interest, building connection, and encouraging more youth to show up and get involved!
2nd Annual End of Summer Youth Connect
To close my summer internship off with a blast, I played a key role in organizing our traditional End of Summer Youth Connect. Our theme this year was Personal Finance and Entrepreneurship for YOUth, centered on navigating the adult world and understanding personal finance. This event has become a staple for the Santos Youth Council, and this year’s edition was one of the most impactful yet. A huge shout-out to the leadership team for championing this topic, thanks to lots of feedback from our volunteers that they wanted to learn more about this!
While much of the spotlight was rightfully on the youth leadership team and guest speakers, I worked behind the scenes to help bring all the pieces together, from coordinating logistics and promoting the event to mentoring the team and ensuring everything ran smoothly. We also featured food from local and youth entrepreneurs, giving young business owners the chance to share their work and connect with the community. Seeing youth leave with practical knowledge, confidence, and inspiration made it all worth it and was the perfect way to wrap up a meaningful and unforgettable summer!
