It was Terry Fox who said, 鈥淪omewhere the hurting must stop.鈥�
For 麻豆精选鈥檚 Isis Darosa it was overcoming her adversity that also inspired her to help others.
Her dedication has resulted in her becoming one of 15 young Canadians named scholars of the 2024 Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program.
A trained behavioral interventionist, Darosa works with developmentally disabled children and is an activist for minorities and those experiencing homelessness.
But at 17 she found herself alone on the streets, after a difficult event with her family, still in high school and trying to graduate.
鈥淚 know what it鈥檚 like to be starving, to not know where your next meal is coming from, to not know where you鈥檙e going to put your head at night. To be a young woman in that position is very scary, especially on the streets in the middle of winter.鈥�
She also faced racism and discrimination for her sexuality and ethnicity. Darosa graduated high school with a 96 per cent average and honours.
Mental health issues challenged her for many years, but she noted it was something her family didn鈥檛 talk about, even though they meant well.
鈥淥ur parents never got the chance to think about that. They were literally trying to survive, it wasn鈥檛 a privilege they had.鈥�
Her mother survived a refugee camp in Thailand after escaping the Vietnam War. Her father鈥檚 family came to Canada from China with a Portuguese background.
The family experienced financial hardship and often there was not enough food to eat. Darosa found comfort and purpose as a second mom to her younger autistic brother.
Returning home after living on the streets, she dedicated herself to providing care for at-risk and homeless youth, fundraising, and working to reduce food waste.
She has contributed more than 10,000 volunteer hours in the community and is a co-founder and keynote speaker annually at 麻豆精选 Women鈥檚 Day.
Her efforts include street outreach, contributing to non-profit organizations, and educating about healthy relationships, safe sex, and naloxone kits.
It鈥檚 important for her to be present for youth dealing with homelessness, food insecurity, and substance use.
鈥淚 had a traumatic experience where somebody overdosed and died in front of me. I was 17 and they were a friend of mine. I鈥檝e done my best to work with the homeless community since then.鈥�
Darosa also volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club, an organization that supported her when she was on the streets.
Now 22, she is in the second year psychology program at UBC Okanagan in pursuit of a PhD in clinical psychology. She also works 25 hours a week and continues to volunteer whenever, and wherever possible.
The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program, established in 1982, provides scholarships to young Canadians seeking to emulate the ideals Fox exemplified.
Darosa and 14 other recipients were flown to Ottawa on May 26, coincidentally her birthday, to receive their scholarships. They visited Parliament, were recognized in a speech by the Speaker of the House, and met with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. But what impressed Darosa the most was her colleagues.
鈥淭hey were inspiring, caring, and humble. All these people had gone through similar struggles of racism, sexism, and homophobia like myself. They choose to use their pain to help manifest a better future for everyone.鈥�
The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award includes a $28,000 scholarship. Darosa also received a $26,800 Ted Rogers Future Leadership Award in 2023.
鈥淚t鈥檚 huge, especially for someone who comes from a struggling financial background. I feel extremely blessed.鈥�
Darosa added that she lives by the following words:
鈥淲hen we are inspired to change our negative behaviors from our own free will, our individual steps along our journey become the journey that we are all walking together to create a more equitable world for all."
