Brick by brick: Nouran’s journey to confidence and belonging

When Nouran first arrived in Calgary, finding her place wasn’t easy.

She was hesitant to speak to people, worried they might make fun of her English. Making friends felt intimidating. Even sharing her thoughts or opinions took courage.

“I don’t think I can make any friends,” she remembers. “I felt like everyone was judging me.”

As a newcomer, Nouran wanted to feel seen and heard. More than anything, she wanted a place where she could be herself without worrying about how others might see her.

She found that place through Planet Youth Calgary, an initiative led by United Way of Calgary and Area that brings young people, families, schools and community partners together to create the conditions for youth to thrive.

Nouran went to monthly meetings in her community, and they became a space where she could speak freely, share her ideas and feel that her voice mattered.

And something began to change.

“Meeting after meeting, I was noticing that I’m becoming a new person,” she says. “A more open person, a more social person who’s willing to share.”

She describes the experience as building her confidence “brick by brick.”

Those around her noticed the difference, too.

Crystal Milne, who works in Community Impact and Planet Youth at United Way, watched as Nouran grew into a confident young leader, sharing her compassion, welcoming others and becoming an advocate for youth voices.

Today, Nouran is pursuing a career in nursing, a future that reflects the confidence and sense of purpose she has found along the way.

Looking back, she describes Planet Youth as a turning point.

Why connection matters

Nouran’s story is one example of what can happen when young people have opportunities to build relationships, feel included and know their voices matter.

The challenges young people face aren’t always visible. Feelings of isolation, uncertainty and not belonging can exist beneath the surface. That’s why creating supportive environments matters, not just when a young person is struggling, but long before challenges become a crisis.

Planet Youth brings communities together to use local data and take collective action to create safer, healthier environments for young people.

Because sometimes, finding a place to belong can change how a young person sees themselves — and what they believe is possible for their future.