Ceyda Taştan
Born and raised in İstanbul, Türkiye, I grew up in a Turkish Christian missionary family where I learned early on about resilience, faith, and community service. As often the only Christian student in my schools, I developed a deep appreciation for diversity and connecting across cultural differences. After serving in my parents’ growing Turkish Church and witnessing God work through challenges, I came to Canada in 2021 to pursue my education, graduating with a BA in Media + Communication from Trinity Western University in April 2025.
As a Marketing & Communications Coordinator at GVYU, I help share the stories and impact of our organization through writing, newsletters, social media, and campaign content. I also support our fundraising and events by helping with communications, donor outreach, and behind-the-scenes coordination. What drives me is the opportunity to share inspiring stories of youth and raise awareness of existing community needs. Witnessing the outcomes of our Youth Workers’ dedicated efforts and having the chance to amplify the impact of those stories truly motivates me. I came to YU because I wanted a role that creates positive community impact, and this position perfectly combines my communication skills with my heart for youth work.
Being part of a team that continuously strives for excellence while maintaining genuine care for each young person we serve inspires me daily. Our programs create authentic connections that meet youth exactly where they are, and the holistic approach of our Youth Workers creates lasting positive change that extends far beyond individual interactions into entire communities across the Lower Mainland.
Beyond work, I’m passionate about dancing and was part of dance teams from middle school through university – I still try to keep up with this hobby whenever time allows! I love meeting new people and exploring different cultures through food. Despite being far from home, I remain connected to my parents’ mission work in Türkiye and continue supporting the Turkish Church. One of my dreams is to travel to East Asia someday and experience all the incredible cuisine the region has to offer!