Markham Mayo'r Youth Task Force

Who: Vino Jeyapalan
Age: 17
What: Markham Mayor's Youth Task Force Co-chair

Vino Jeyapalan has been involved in Markham Mayor's Youth Task Force since 8th grade. Now 17, he is the co-chair and is striving to make a difference in his community every day. Vino has made a decision that for the rest of his life he will be involved in a non profit that gives back to his community. This article can be found in the National Post.


It's a teen's life in Markham, student says

Task force gives youth a voice in their town

Shelly Sanders Greer, National Post Published: Saturday, May 10, 2008


Peter Redman, National PostStudent Vino Jeyapalan finds Markham inspiring.

When he was in Grade 8, Vino Jeyapalan decided to get a head start on his high school volunteer requirements. Mr. Jeyapalan joined the Markham Mayor's Youth Task Force, and quickly saw he could really make a difference in his community.

Now 17, Mr. Jeyapalan is co-chair of the task force and has made a commitment: For the rest of his life, he "will be working in a non-profit group that gives back to the community."

The Mayor's Youth Task Force was set up to give teens the chance to interact with town council, organize activities, and have some say about future plans for young people in Markham. Some of the events organized in the past include a youth anti-violence conference, publication of a newsletter, development of a Web site and social events.

This year's agenda involves a coffee house, battle of the bands, a poker tournament, skateboard skills and competition and the Amazing Mark-ham Race.

"We have 21 dedicated and diverse teens [on the Task Force]," says Mr. Jeyapalan. "We learn about the town, raise money for charity and think about what youth want.

"Council has a representative who works with us and is a huge support. Members of council come to our events and are a strong force driving youth toward change and making a difference."

One of the things Mr. Jeyapalan has learned is that "Markham is always innovative and ready to change. Council always wants to hear what citizens want. This year, they did a survey for residents and I found this very compelling. I love the fact that Mark-ham is like this."

In June, Mr. Jeyapalan will finish Grade 11 and he plans to go into sciences after high school. But no matter what he ends up doing, he says, "I will think about how I can give back to my community."