Gina Theivendra (she/her) is a Tamil-Canadian youth and fourth-year student studying Social Sciences and Gerontology at the University of Ottawa. She is passionate about health equity, trauma-informed care, and community outreach, with a focus on women, newcomers, and QBIPOC communities.

 

As the eldest daughter of a South Asian household and a first-generation student, Gina has always believed in the importance of sharing her experiences in order to support other women and youth in navigating their own education, career development, and mental health.

 

Through her work with the University of Ottawa's Peer Support Centre, The Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families, Abbotsford's House Senior Outreach Services, and The Legacy of Hope Foundation, Gina has developed a strong interest in civic engagement, youth outreach, and community-based research.

 

In addition to her work at EYC, Gina currently volunteers as a Youth HIV Educator at Planned Parenthood Toronto and a member of the Health Promotions and Analytics Working Group at Critical Health Innovations Lab. She is also involved in several labs at the University of Ottawa, where she works as a research student on studies related to reproductive health, caregiving, and long-term care. 

 

In her free time, Gina enjoys reading, journaling, and spending quality time with her family and friends. In the future, she hopes to continue unpacking and unlearning structural inequities in order to support youth and women of colour as a social worker and public health professional.