When Sindy looks back on the last ten years of her life, it’s hard to believe how far she’s come—and how early the journey started.
She was just 14 years old, sitting in her Grade 8 classroom, when her teacher selected a small group of students to join a new program called On Track to Success. Sindy didn’t know it then, but she had just become part of the very first On Track cohort in 2015—a decision that would quietly shape her path through high school, post-secondary education, and into a career she loves.
“I’ve been in the program since I was 14,” she says. “It’s been ten years now.”
The Power of Consistency
Throughout high school, Sindy had the same Success Coach, Liam, by her side.
“At the time, as a teenager, you’re like, ‘Oh, this guy is telling me to do my homework,’” she laughs. “But when you grow up, you realize—there was someone there for you. Someone you could trust.”
That consistency mattered more than she realized at the time. Having one person show up, year after year, created stability during a stage of life that often feels anything but stable.
Finding Confidence Before High School Even Began
One of Sindy’s most vivid memories from On Track comes before high school even started—the summer programming that brought students together ahead of Grade 9.
“I was a very antisocial kid. I hated meeting new people,” she says. “But it made going into high school easier because I already knew some people.”
By the time she graduated, Sindy noticed something had shifted.
“I was very different at the end of high school compared to when I started,” she says. “I had friends. And two of them were actually in the program with me.”
She also remembers applying to college for the first time—unsure of what she wanted to do, but taking the step anyway.
“I didn’t really know what I was doing,” she admits. “But I still did it.”
Motivation When It Mattered Most
Sindy is honest about the fact that school wasn’t always easy—or enjoyable.
“I didn’t really love school,” she says. “But with On Track, I felt like I had to graduate. And that was a good thing.”
What once felt like pressure, she now recognizes as guidance.
“I think it was very well needed. Just someone keeping you in line with your goals.”
That support was especially important because Sindy didn’t grow up with built-in academic guidance at home. Her parents immigrated to Canada from Honduras and didn’t have the opportunity to complete much formal schooling themselves.
“They wanted me to stay in school,” she says. “But education wasn’t emphasized the way it is for some families. And they didn’t know how to help with homework or college applications.”
Without On Track, Sindy knows she would have been left to figure it all out alone.
A Second Chance at Post-Secondary—This Time, On Her Terms
After high school, Sindy tried college programs that didn’t quite fit. Eventually, she stepped away from school, went to work, and learned more about herself.
“I realized I like being physically active,” she says. “I don’t want to sit around all day.”
A conversation with a former boss sparked an idea she hadn’t considered before: firefighting.
Sindy enrolled in the Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program at St. Clair College—and this time, everything clicked.
“It was the best thing on the planet. I loved it so much.”
Around the same time, Kaila, the On Track On Campus Success Coach, reconnected with her.
“She reached out even before I decided to go back to school,” Sindy says. “And once I was ready, she was there.”
Discovering a Career Path Through EMP
Through the Executive Mentorship Program (EMP), Sindy was placed with Kingsville Fire—an experience that expanded her understanding of what a career in fire services could look like.
“I got to see a side of the job you don’t learn in school,” she explains. “Fire prevention, inspections, keeping the community safe—it showed me what I actually want to do long-term.”
Today, Sindy’s career goal is to become a Fire Prevention Officer, helping ensure buildings and workplaces meet fire safety codes.
“It’s not something people think about,” she says. “But it’s so important. You’re protecting people before an emergency even happens.”
Why Programs Like On Track Matter
When Sindy explains On Track to someone who’s never heard of it, she keeps it simple.
“It helps keep kids in line with their goals,” she says. “And it gives support to students who don’t have that at home.”
She knows firsthand how confusing the post-secondary system can be.
“If it weren’t for Liam, I wouldn’t have known how to apply to college,” she says. “We expect kids to just figure it out—but that’s not fair.”
Now, she’s paying it forward by helping current students with their college applications.
“If I can do it,” she says, “they can do it.”
A Message to Donors
Sindy is clear: none of this would have been possible without donors.
From covering school supplies and textbooks to helping her participate in a physically demanding firefighter competition she couldn’t afford on her own, donor support removed barriers that could have easily stopped her in her tracks.
“That experience was priceless,” she says. “And I wouldn’t have had it without donors.”
That kind of support, she explains, allows students to focus on learning—not on how they’ll afford the basics.
“It takes weight off your shoulders,” she says. “And that makes all the difference.”
Grateful—and Moving Forward
Today, Sindy speaks with confidence, clarity, and gratitude.
“I got to do things a lot of kids don’t get the chance to do,” she says. “And having someone like Kaila—someone you’re not afraid to talk to—means everything.”
From a shy Grade 8 student to a confident young professional shaping her future, Sindy’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when young people are supported—consistently, compassionately, and at the right moments.
And she’s just getting started.