Jasmine’s Journey: From Participant to Coach
Meet Coach Jasmine! Over the next three weeks we will be sharing the incredible story of Coach Jasmine. She first joined the Start2Finish Running & Reading Club almost 15 years ago and is now a volunteer coach in the same community she grew up in.
Flashback to Fall 2011—7-year-old Jasmine was starting school at Delton alongside her older brother. Growing up in a hard working family, Jasmine learned the value of every opportunity that came her way. Her parents had built a life in Canada after immigrating from Vietnam, and though she didn’t see them often because of their demanding work schedules, she always felt their deep love and sacrifices.
During most of her time at Delton, Jasmine lived in a home near the school with her parents, her aunt, and her grandmother, who had immigrated from Vietnam later in life. They didn’t speak English and weren’t able to work, so her parents took on the responsibility of providing for their entire family—including covering bills for both their current home and their previous one, which her aunt and grandmother continued to live in. Watching her parents' dedication to ensuring their family was supported shaped Jasmine’s mindset. She became careful not to waste food, money, or any opportunity given to her, recognizing that even small things, like a new pair of sneakers, were luxuries.
Jasmine attended Delton School which offered the free after school Running & Reading Club program for all students. Her parents signed both her and her brother up to attend. Jasmine recalls being incredibly shy at first and hesitant to participate in the physical activity. With the reassurance of her brother and volunteer coaches in the program Jasmine began to enjoy participating and running each week. She began to look forward to the R & R club and felt more comfortable around her peers. One of the biggest impacts the program had was the bond it created between her & her brother. Due to their age difference they didn’t see each other a lot and this was an activity they both enjoyed together. 15 years later, they still reminisce about their time at the Delton Running & Reading Club.
In reflecting on what the program meant to her family, Jasmine recalls that due to the accessibility of the program being after school and free of cost, her parents were reassured that Jasmine and her brother would have a place to go after school - to meet new friends & integrate with the community. Jasmine mentions how the club offered a sense of belonging. She also mentioned how she never felt like she had less opportunities than other kids at the school because of programs like S2F. Every year all of the kids in our program receive a free pair of running shoes - and guess what?! Jasmine has kept that pair of running shoes to this day (pictured here)! She recalls how passionate the coaches were about supporting the kids in the program and what that meant to her. She ended up being very late for race day at the end of the year, but she realized one of her coaches had stayed and waited to try to make sure she got there. She remembers that moment to this day - someone had cared about her. Stay tuned for next week where we share Jasmine’s journey to a volunteer coach at Delton School!
15 years on from being a participant, Jasmine is now pursuing a Bachelor of Education with a major in English at the University of Alberta. One of her placement options was with the Delton Running & Reading Club - and she thought; what a perfect fit! She wanted to give back to her community and also thought it would be a great experience as she has aspirations to become a teacher. As a volunteer coach, Jasmine has learned a lot. She didn’t realize how much of a support the program is to the school and the families that are there. She said when she was a kid, even though they lived in a low income area, she never felt like they were less resources than other communities because of opportunities like S2F and other initiatives at the school. She now understands how important it is for families. At the time it felt normal and was very inclusive, she mentions. Being in the program has helped her to become an incredible coach. She often enjoys taking a moment to listen to the kids tell her about their day and makes a conscious effort to build strong relationships with the students. She has seen students excel in reading & literacy as a result of the program and has been encouraged by students being more excited to read. Jasmine’s journey continues as she plans to become a teacher supporting students in the future.
Jasmine’s transition from participant to volunteer coach has opened her eyes to the importance of after school learning programs and activities for families, communities & students. In reflecting on her experience as a coach - she mentions how critical these programs are for families. Her parents were grateful their kids had the opportunity to go to a safe, inclusive space after school with mentors & coaches that cared about them. By being offered in the school and free of cost Jasmine understands how important that was for her family at the time.
Through her time volunteering, Jasmine has gained leadership & communication skills that she will carry forward with her in her teaching career. She now feels more confident in her ability to take the lead. Jasmine's journey is an incredible example of the impact S2F volunteers make every day with thousands of students across Canada. Thank you Jasmine for giving back to your community and making a difference that will last for years to come.
Follow us on social media