Supporting Tomorrow's Leaders: Dreaming Big
Photo: Owen Egan)
McGill law student Justin Douglas has packed more into his young life than most of us might hope to achieve in a lifetime.
He has participated in Youth Challenge International as a group leader in Costa Rica. He has worked as a swimming and fitness instructor, as well as a relief worker for at-risk youth. He has been involved with Save Darfur Canada, he started Greenlaw (a sustainability project in the Faculty of Law), and he has volunteered with the McGill Legal Information Clinic.
What’s his secret? Douglas replies with a smile, “I have a high capacity for stress.”This summer, he provided legal information for Dans La Rue, a charitable organization that offers services and programs for street youth. Raised by a single parent, Douglas would not have been able to pursue law studies – or work in this summer placement – without the financial aid of the William and Nona Heaslip Scholarship, as well as a University Student Bursary.
His compassion for others and his interest in public service stem directly from personal experience. “My mother did a great job with me and my sister,” says Douglas, acknowledging his father’s substance abuse was the reason for his parents’ split. “If I can help bring in more donations because of my story, I’d be very happy. I cannot properly express my gratitude.”
His dream job? No question about it: “Articling with Amnesty International.”