Celebrating the spirit of giving during National Volunteer Week

Thirty-four exceptional alumni and friends of Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) will be recognized on May 15 at the annual G. Raymond Chang Outstanding Volunteer Awards. 

In celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 27 to May 3), we’re highlighting two of this year’s award winners—Peel Region health-care leader and advocate Angela Carter and TMU alumna and entrepreneur Julia Pia. 

Life-long dedication to community well-being

Angela Carter, originally from Barbados, has volunteered for 35 of the 36 years she’s lived in Canada. When asked why, she says because “there’s a need. There’s much work to be done and the workers are few.”

Carter recently retired as executive director of Roots Community Services (RootsCS). This organization provides culturally sensitive and enriching programs and services for Black, African and Caribbean (BAC) communities in the Peel Region. 

In her retirement, she now serves as advisor, strategic initiatives with RootsCS. She also volunteers with TMU’s School of Medicine in Brampton.

Since 2021, Carter has helped shape the School of Medicine. She focuses on promoting equity in medical education and improving health outcomes for BAC communities. 

She serves on several committees including the school’s Black Communities Committee, the School of Medicine Council and the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Communities Committee. 

In 2023, she participated in the school’s first Fireside Chat. This year, she helped select the first cohort of medical students. 

“I’m honoured to receive the Chang Award and for doing the work that I love to do—being involved in the community, being able to make meaningful change, representing the Black community, and ensuring their various voices are heard,” said Carter.

Beyond her work with TMU, Carter has spent over 40 years advancing equity, social justice and community well-being. She’s  helping develop  the Integrated Black Health and Social Services Hub—a first-of-its-kind initiative providing sustainable care and resources for BAC communities. 

She also co-chairs the Anti-Black Racism & Systemic Discrimination Collective in Peel and co-leads the BAC Community Health & Wellness Collaborative.

Carter hopes the School of Medicine will transform health care in the region. “I would love to see Brampton become a beacon for the standard to which other communities in Canada look,” she said. “And when patients meet a doctor who graduated from the School of Medicine, [I hope] they feel immediately that, yes, here’s someone who really wants to help and has my best interests at heart.”

Turning a passion for mentorship into a career

Julia Pia was the first person in her family to attend university. During her time at TMU’s Faculty of Science, she looked to her professors for mentorship and guidance. 

Pia graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Understanding the importance of mentorship, she returned to her alma mater in 2023 to volunteer with the SciMentorship Program.

“I am honoured to receive the Chang Award for volunteerism at TMU. It means a lot to still be connected to my undergraduate university all these years later and to be part of such a supportive community,’” said Pia. “I’m especially grateful to be recognized for my passion for mentorship and for supporting students in their career journeys.”

Through SciMentorship, Pia mentors a designated student. She offers academic and career guidance, while also making herself available to other students. She speaks on panels about her journey from undergrad to professional life.

“The chemistry program was a very hands-on, holistic and supportive community,” Pia recalled. “I had great mentors from my professors, and there were a lot of opportunities for me to pursue, whether that was working with student groups, volunteering in labs, and also developing relationships with my professors and peers."

"The way that the program was organized allowed me to connect not only with professors, but also students and lab mates, and I was really able to take advantage of all of those experiences," she said.

After TMU, Pia earned a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry from the University of Toronto and then returned to her passion for mentorship. 

Pia founded Ment Projects, a company that “builds innovative digital solutions to make mentorship more accessible,” she said. Their main product is the Ment app, which improves the process of connecting mentors and mentees.

Her company also produces The Mentorship Podcast. This free resource about how to navigate a career is hosted by Pia and available on all major podcasting platforms.

“When you graduate, your relationship with the university doesn’t have to stop there, and can continue in so many different ways,” said Pia, who encourages current students and fellow alumni to volunteer.

“Since graduating, I’ve maintained a lot of valuable relationships and connections I made with professors and peers which continue to help me throughout my career, and which continue to provide me opportunities to help other students and alumni.”

The G. Raymond Chang Outstanding Volunteer Awards are named in memory of the university’s beloved third chancellor, who championed volunteerism. Find the full list of this year’s and past honourees on the website.