Scarborough Museum's Youth Mentorship Programs
A Personal View
Reminiscence of Flashback
by Tristan Simpson
Three years ago I started my journey as a volunteer at Flashback, one of Scarborough Museum's many mentorship programs. Guided by our mentors our team took on a photo project that traced the history of a local community through photography. As volunteers we were put in the driver’s seat, given the opportunity to express ourselves and capture the community through our eyes. Our mentors, Pailagi and Rashmi, former volunteers themselves, gave us support and encouragement. They pushed us to go above and beyond what we thought possible.
Flashback was an engaging and structured program that initiated my appreciation of the diversity in my community. I was able to immerse myself in the history of Scarborough, thus changing my perception of the area. By getting involved in this mentorship program I was introduced to another side of this community. I learned that Scarborough wasn’t the violent place portrayed in the media, it is a welcoming city rich in culture and history. This program was able to connect us to our community while developing our way of thinking.
My participation in Flashback benefitted me by introducing me to new people, places, ideas and experiences, allowing me to gain more knowledge and grow as a person. What once was a good opening to collect volunteer hours quickly transformed into a great opportunity to enhance and develop valuable skills like responsibility, initiative and teamwork. Such strengths are a necessity in life, and have made me the person I am today.
I urge you to come by the Scarborough Museum today and witness the enthusiastic Flashback volunteers working, talking and learning together. Every week we explore new themes and amplify our abilities through photography and writing workshops. Our members are outstanding students who contribute innovative ideas and are always anxious for the next project. As a volunteer I have witnessed first-hand the impact our mentorship programs has on youth. Now as the mentor of Flashback I will foster these exceptional students, teaching them the same skills I was taught as a volunteer.
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