Ciara Mahaffy is a passionate advocate, and what she cares most about is creating a stronger, more empathetic University community.
Diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Ciara created a club to help students understand rheumatic diseases, as well as raise funds.
But Ciara has also reached out beyond Trinity as a mentor in the Theatre for Thought program. Watching documentaries and leading weekly discussions with low-income and disabled Torontonians, she used discussion skills learned in class to help build and educate the broader community, pushing herself to look at texts and society from a whole new perspective. This learning reinforced her conviction of the importance of the arts in society.
Applying her creative lens, Ciara continues to speak up for the issues that matter most to her, and in the process has made a difference at Trinity and beyond. As the President of the Trinity College Dramatic Society, and founder of The University of Toronto Rheumatic Disease Awareness and Action Organization, Ciara has embodied the willingness to lead and be a champion of change, becoming the inaugural recipient of the Tom Yen Award in Advocacy.
“Trinity encourages students to think beyond themselves and find their voice. Discovering your passion and becoming a champion for the issues you care about is the best way to make a difference.”
– Tom Yen ’05, Donor
Making the case for making a difference
As a litigator, Tom is an advocate for his clients, but on a deeper level he sees the positive impact of speaking up for the things most important to us—skills he honed at Trinity and is encouraging in students today. That’s why he created the Tom Yen Award in Advocacy, awarded to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated exceptional advocacy for any cause, within Trinity College or beyond.
Why did Tom choose to step up? It was celebrating a milestone birthday that made Tom Yen stop and reflect. It was the moment he decided it was time to give back. His Trinity years were so special to him – bonding with lifelong friends, sleeping through fire alarms, studying hard and being inspired by peers and professors alike.
Tom wants to make things easier for Trinity students today, but also foster the skills and commitment that will help them be successful after university. And Ciara is so thankful for the recognition of her efforts and support that allows her to be an even stronger advocate.