Contact:
Ahmad Chamy, achamy@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl, PAMR, 778.782.9017; Marianne_Meadahl@sfu.ca

Photos: http://at.sfu.ca/gYJzLi

A Simon Fraser University student from Surrey and a pair of childhood friends have come up with a grassroots idea they call the Momentum Youth Development Project.  

SFU health sciences student Ahmad Chamy says the trio is mentoring 20 male high school students by promoting physical activity, self-esteem and fostering a positive attitude through a series of weekly activities. And given the interest so far they plan to take the idea farther.

“We started with a summer camp last June and have since planned a string of activities - like fundraising for the recent Movember campaign - which help them to feel good about themselves,” says Chamy.

“Each of us has just gone through these decisive years, so who better to relate to them?,” adds Chamy, 20. “It’s a critical age as they are transitioning into responsible adults. The world can sometimes be a pressure-filled place.

‘Our goal is to be a positive influence as they continue their journeys to adulthhood.”

Chamy’s partners in Momentum are Searaj Alam, a science student at Douglas College and Idris Barahmeh, who spent now finishing high school at LA Matheson. The youths they work with are children of parents’ friends, and friends of friends.

“Our fathers were best friends and we wanted to take our friendship a step further and see what we could do to help others. It’s all about momentum.”

The trio plans a Bro Day on Dec. 23 at the Surrey Rec Centre and will continue to grow their program – a simple way to pay it forward - in the new year.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Momentum2012

Twitter: @MomentumYouth_

Simon Fraser University is Canada's top-ranked comprehensive university and one of the top 50 universities in the world under 50 years old. With campuses in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey, B.C., SFU engages actively with the community in its research and teaching, delivers almost 150 programs to more than 30,000 students, and has more than 120,000 alumni in 130 countries.

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