Be Relentless
Like many young people, Wali didn’t have a clear plan on what career to pursue . He was motivated, but with no guidance, he had no clear direction. Luckily, there was a shift in mindset when he was introduced to YOUCAN’s Road to Work program, where hands-on experience, mentorship, and consistent support helped him start building both skills and confidence.
Looking back, one of the most defining moments in Wali’s journey came when he stood in front of hundreds of attendees during one of last year’s Comedy Night evenings to share his story.
“It’s amazing whenever I try to look back at that night when I stood on stage to share about my story,” Wali recalls. “I’ll never forget seeing the shock in people’s faces when I shared how I started with nothing before I joined YOUCAN. I started from scratch. I had the drive, but I didn’t know what the next step was. From the stage, I could see them smiling, and I knew in some ways I was inspiring someone.”
That moment was meaningful not simply because he was on stage, but because of what it represented. It marked a turning point of where uncertainty gave way to confidence, and where his story became a source of hope for others in the room.
”I know that there are a lot of people who are currently in the position I was in, not knowing where to go or what path to pursue. I didn’t go to school, I didn’t pursue an education in a prestigious university, and look at me now, I feel like I’m doing pretty well for myself.”
From entering the program without a clear path, to finding a mentor who inspired him to pursue a career in the trades, to eventually working alongside that same mentor, Wali’s experience came full circle.Today, Wali brings that lived experience into his role supporting youth at YOUCAN. Having once stood in the same place as many of the young people he now works with, he understands how overwhelming it can feel to face the future without clarity.
“I hope I can inspire some of the youth in the program,” he says. “The energy comes from your heart, not just your body. If you have the drive and the inspiration to move forward, take it one step at a time. Progress happens gradually. I always emphasize the quality of the work over the speed of the work.”
Wali’s journey is a reminder that confidence can be built, direction can be found, and growth doesn’t follow just one path. With the right support and belief, uncertainty can turn into purpose, and lived experience can become a powerful way to inspire others.
