Alumni Showcase

Act Five is stepping into its 7th year of gap year programming, and as we do so, we want to celebrate the alumni that have passed through our doors. Each has made their mark on our house and on our program, and we are now excitedly watching them make their marks on the world. We reached out to several alumni to tell us what they are up to now, and to hear how Act Five has impacted their journeys.

Matt Buikema – Year 1

“This past spring I finished a 4 year undergrad degree in social work at Redeemer University. 

Through a social work internship with Redeemer, I’m now in the process of starting to work at an organization that provides transitional housing for men coming out of prison.

Before Act Five I thought that I’d end up working in the trades in some capacity. As a student in Act Five, I did my placements with 541 Eatery and Exchange and with the Barton Business Improvement Area. Through these placements and the classroom and experiential learning, I engaged with challenges like poverty and homelessness that disadvantaged people in Hamilton face From this, I realized that I have a passion and gift for working with people. This led me to my social work education at Redeemer, and I haven’t looked back since.

Act Five also continues to inspire lot of questions around how I feel I should involve myself in a community. It has also prompted me to think about which communities I want to put my time and efforts towards. Because of my passion for Hamilton as a city, and for the wide variety of people residing within, I have been attending Streetlight Christian Church. We are located in the Beasley neighbourhood. I also participate in their programs that run weekly during the school year. These programs cater to children and youth from nearby neighbourhoods.”

Ryan Vroom – Year 2

“I am working as a Diesel Mechanic for Kooy Brothers in North York. I’ve been working there for about two and a half years. I live in Schomberg with my wife Abby, who is another Act Five alumni from 21/22. We just married in mid July!

After Act Five I went to college for small engine mechanics. Finishing that, I then worked for Coldwater Canada for a summer before starting work in my field. I met Abby while we were both working for Coldwater. While working there, I had a cool opportunity to lead that year’s Act Five trip. It was a neat experience to be a part of leading a trip that meant a lot to me when I was a part of it only 2 years prior. Next, I began working for a small engine shop in Innisfil before switching to Kooy Brothers in North York.

I think Act Five had a big impact on my life. During Act Five was when I gave myself to Christ and embraced my adoption from my Heavenly Father. It was also a time that emphasized the importance of community and also of prayer and its power. Covid affected much of my time at Act Five, and because of that, we spent a lot of time together in Hamilton. This led to a deep sense of connection and community with the others in the house. I realized that the Christian walk with Christ isn’t something to do alone. We are meant to be surrounded by other believers who encourage us, pray for us, and bear our burdens with us. This has led me to being more involved at church, knowing the good that can come out of community.

Another way Act Five has impacted me is in how I use my phone and manage my screen time. I struggled with giving up my phone as a student in Act Five. Now, I would gladly hand it over, knowing the deeper connection and relationships that can be made in person without it.

Act Five taught me a lot, a lot more than I can say here. Heading into Act Five, I already knew what I wanted to do. Act Five didn’t change that. But Act Five changed me. It changed how I think about things, how I interact with people, and how I’m committed to my local church. It sparked empathy in me and helped me connect with others more deeply. I’m so grateful for that. I still often think about the time I spent at Act Five, the songs we sang at evensong, the experiences I had, the connections and real friendships that formed.”

Nina Pasma – Year 6

“My name is Nina Pasma and I was part of the Year Six cohort at Act Five. I just started my first year at Redeemer University, where I will be studying English writing, Theology and Art.

Part of the reason that I went to Act Five was because I had no clue what I wanted to do after high school. A big eyeopener for me at Act Five, was learning that I don’t have to have it all figured out. If I don’t feel placed in whatever I am doing, I am free to switch it up. Before Act Five, applying to school or planning my life felt like a huge life altering decision. I felt that if I didn’t get it right on the first try, I’d be doomed to live a terrible life, which is simply not the truth. My anxiety over life decisions hasn’t disappeared, but it’s definitely eased over the course of Act Five. Now when I plan things, and pray over them, I know that plans may change, and that’s okay.”

Final Thoughts

When students come to our gap year program, they are committing to an intense year of personal and community development. Knowing that what they learned in Act Five is still shaping their lives after the program is such an encouragement. Please keep our alumni in your own prayers as they continue in their own journey. And we will continue to trust that God is with them wherever they may go.