Sophia Garofalo
Sophia Garofalo
Impressively, Sophia, with co-Team Lead Gillian Beck, has already brought 12 Ambassadors into fold. “I remember talking to one of my high school teachers I was still close to and saying ‘I feel like this (Cam’s Kids) is a great thing for me because I can start it in first year,” recalls Sophia. “I could get it off the ground and then I have another three years where I can build it up and I can pass it on and can start a legacy like it (Cam’s Kids) has at so many other schools. There wasn’t any pressure on me to get everything organized in one year.”

Meet McGill University Ambassador Sophia Garofalo

For thousands of post-secondary students across Canada, September marks a fresh start they put their nose to the academic grindstone, either as someone new to the experience or as a scholar of the returning variety.

 

At McGill University in Montreal, this semester sees Toronto native Sophia Garofalo beginning the second year of a four-year International Development program, with a minor in Social Entrepreneurship. It’s a very busy time, for sure, as she adjusts to a new schedule, new classes and new professors.

 

But if that’s not enough to keep her hopping, Sophia’s attention is also squarely focused on her role as co-Team Lead of the relatively newly minted Cam’s Kids team at McGill. It was just one year ago, in September 2021, that she got the Cam’s Kids ball rolling, all while acclimatizing herself to post-secondary school life as a first-year student.

 

“I like to take on challenges and I’ve taken leadership roles throughout my life, so I wasn’t concerned about that (being overwhelmed),” recalls Sophia, noting when she asked if there was a Cam’s Kid team at McGill and was told there wasn’t, she was invited and encouraged to “get one off the ground.”

 

That was like waving a red flag in front of a bull.

 

“My big challenge was reaching out to people and asking “Hey, who wants to be part of this team?’ says Sophia.

 

“That was the intimidating part for me but the response was definitely positive. It pushed me a bit out of my comfort zone. I was more shy my first year. Now I have my footing, like ‘OK, I know what needs to be done. I know the challenges. I know what I need to schedule in.’ I feel more prepared. It’s definitely a learning experience that’s unique and good for me.”

 

Impressively, Sophia, with co-Team Lead Gillian Beck, has already brought 12 Ambassadors into fold.

 

“I remember talking to one of my high school teachers I was still close to and saying ‘I feel like this (Cam’s Kids) is a great thing for me because I can start it in first year,” recalls Sophia.

 

“I could get it off the ground and then I have another three years where I can build it up and I can pass it on and can start a legacy like it (Cam’s Kids) has at so many other schools. There wasn’t any pressure on me to get everything organized in one year.”

 

“We spent last (school) year getting to know each other and telling people that we exist on campus. This year, it’s kind of like ‘OK, let’s see what we can do to get out there and let people know we’re here and what we are.”

 

Garofalo worked around COVID restrictions, relying heavily upon social media to spread word of Cam’s Kids’ new presence at McGill. Soon enough, a handful of students answered the call, came on board and, well, here we are.

 

Now, as the new school year begins, Sophia and Gillian have set some objectives for the team.

 

“One big goal is to take Cam’s Kids beyond the age group we’re at,” she says.

 

“Right now, we’re mostly kids going into second year because that’s who we’ve been able to access. Expanding to third and fourth year students, and those younger than us, will be really important. That’s our team goal.”

 

“Having our Ambassadors take on independent projects, no matter how small or big they are, and encouraging them to be bold and get out there, will be another big thing for us.”

 

Not unlike Team Leads before her, and undoubtedly Teams Leads to come, Sophia has learned much about herself through her Cam’s Kids experience.

 

“Throughout high school, I took on a lot of leadership roles that were very goal-oriented…there was always something that needed to be done within a certain timeline,” she says.

 

“Cam’s Kids is a really unique opportunity where you have all (school) year to do initiatives. There’s not a strict timeline on everything. You’re kind of figuring it out on your own. That’s taken some understanding on my part.”

 

“They (Ambassadors) are not going to be able to make every meeting. They’re not going to be able to do an initiative every couple of months. Understanding that was a big thing for me because I was so used to ‘We need to get this done by this date.’ Now if you can’t get it done, I’ll check in with you next week. That is such an essential skill, especially in the workforce. Not everyone gets that experience…to learn how to relax and understand that people live different lives.”

 

In the meantime, Sophia says the Cam’s Kids dynamic is a proven winner when it comes to lessening the stigma all too often associated with anxiety and mental health in general. 

 

“A lot of (mental health) groups exist but it’s like you have to go to them and say ‘I need help,’” she says

 

“People are happy to have someone come to them and say ‘Here’s a resource in case you need it.’ We’re reaching out to you. It’s nice to have someone do the opposite and check in with you.”       

Powered by Innovasium