Originally hailing from the vibrant streets of Saigon, Vietnam, Am Huynh’s journey to JA Ottawa is a story of passion, growth, and a deep-seated desire to give back. With a background rich in diversity, from being a part of a family of travel enthusiasts to her escapades across the globe and her various interests that range from chess to singing, Amy embodies the multifaceted nature of the volunteers that JA Ottawa proudly boasts. As a past participant, her dedication to the program highlights not just her commitment but the profound impact JA Company Program can have on individuals. Through her eyes, we are offered a glimpse into the heart of JA Ottawa, a place where young minds are nurtured, and future leaders are born. Join us as we explore Amy’s journey, her motivations, and the lessons she’s gathered along the way, painting a vivid picture of the enriching experience that volunteering with JA Ottawa offers.

“As a past participant of JA Company program, Amy truly understands the impact this program can have on a young person’s development and future success. She’s been volunteering with us throughout her University career, providing invaluable mentorship to our JA Company participants and guidance to our new program mentors. Thank you for all the support, Amy! We hope you continue to volunteer with JA Ottawa for many years to come!” – Robyn Lester, JA Company Coordinator

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I am originally from Saigon, Vietnam, and my family consists of four travel enthusiasts – my mom, dad, and sister. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pets at the moment, although I’m hoping to get a puppy soon 🙂

Other than JA, in my free time, I enjoy a variety of activities. I’m an avid chess player and often attend events around Ottawa. Singing is another passion of mine, and I find it to be a great way to unwind. Additionally, I absolutely love traveling and trying new foods, and I recently had the chance to visit Australia, which was an incredible experience!

What made you decide to volunteer with JA Ottawa?

I decided to volunteer with JA Ottawa because of my own experience being a part of the program during high school. The reward I get is seeing my students grow out of their comfort zones to become confident and business-savvy individuals! JA Ottawa’s programs provide hands-on, experiential learning activities that inspire youth to make better financial decisions, explore career pathways, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset. As a volunteer, I have the opportunity to share my experience and expertise to help prepare students for success in the global economy. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the positive impact JA Ottawa has on young people and to be a part of transforming their lives.

Who was your favourite teacher and why?

Mrs. Morency from my high school, St. Mother Teresa! Mrs. Morency is my favorite teacher because she sparked my love for business through her dedication to students and the materials she provided for me when I was a student to explore different career paths within business. She encouraged me to join Junior Achievement Ottawa and always spoke of the importance of ethics and strategic planning in doing business. More than that, she’s like a mom, a friend and a counselor who is always willing to go above and beyond for her students in any way they need.

What is your personal philosophy on life? 

My personal philosophy on life is to give it my all, forever and always! Being an anxious person, it was great that I’ve had the chance to learn conflict resolution from a mentor who taught me that most issues are not so grand and detrimental, prioritizing the most important things to us and approaching everything with patience is the best way to approach life. 

If you could go back to a particular grade level or childhood age, which would it be and why?

Probably the start of my undergrad, to tell myself to attend as many events on campus as I can! We were covid-freshmen and did not get to experience a lot of the activities and events in person, so I didn’t get to learn about a lot of the University’s resources until later on. If you’re an outgoing, social person or more of an introvert, it’s a great way to find your people and make the most out of your undergrad years. That’s also how I met my closest friends 🙂

What is your favorite hidden gem in Ottawa?

Ottawa is not boring!! I had a hard time completing this list 🙂

Food & Beverage:

• The Belmont on Bank for a cozy cabin vibe with an amazing menu and staff!
• Pizza nerds, friendly pricing and yummy pizzas
• Happy Goat Coffee lattes are unmatched 
• Law and Order burgers

Store: 

• Milk in Byward, it is my absolute favorite store and I bring everyone I know there
• Magpie or Bluboho, fine jewellery made locally
• Maker House Co. – one stop shop for everything small business

Activities: 

• Laugh Lounge / Absolute Comedy
• Wellington Village or Elgin/Bank street

Tell us about a lesson you learned this year. What did it teach you about yourself?

A lesson I had to put into practice this year was how to be my most authentic self, to be honest not just with others but also with myself when I approach the world, because that’s how I know I am where I should be, for all the right reasons. This applies to all aspects of life but especially communication. I am a people-pleaser, so I often try to be present for everyone I care about even if I don’t necessarily feel comfortable to. I still am excited to explore all opportunities presented to me, just with a more careful approach to make sure it is what I need at my pace.

If you are interested in volunteering with JA Ottawa, please visit our program page.