Welcome to our new series “Inside Calgary Housing,” where we feature the people who live, work and play at one of the 9,200 homes under Calgary Housing’s care. 

August 12 marks International Youth Day, and this year we wanted to highlight the story of one youth that lives in a Calgary Housing home.

While most students traded textbooks for video games this summer, Imaan dove back into his studies. He’s sharpening his critical thinking and essay-writing skills in pursuit of a dream: university acceptance with a focus on physics. He feels an invisible pull toward constructing his own theory on the manipulation of gravity.

Imaan, a recent high school graduate, has ambitions of completing a bachelor of science, and potentially a master’s degree and PhD.

He grew up in a Calgary Housing residence. His family immigrated from Khartoum, Sudan, in 2007. He said he felt they were unprepared for the challenges of living in Canada and the hurdles of raising a family in a new country.

“Calgary Housing gave us the option and the opportunity to start a life,” Imaan said.

With stable, affordable housing, Imaan doesn’t have to worry about where the next meal is coming from or how his family will make it through winter. That security has helped him focus on his future.

“Stable housing eliminates so many cons of trying to complete this dream of mine,” he said.

Imaan connected with a staff member at Calgary Housing who has a background in physics and could advise him on the potential of his dream.

“I wanted to talk it over with someone who had more practice and experience than me,” Imaan said.

The staff member explained that what may seem impossible from afar often just needs one believer up close. Possibility begins the moment someone chooses to believe. At the end of the day, you’ll prove it’s possible or discover the limits and either way, that’s a triumph.

When the staff member first arrived in Canada, he was fortunate to receive support from someone who profoundly shaped his educational journey. He said he’s honoured to pay that kindness forward now and offer the same support to the next generation.

That’s the kind of support Imaan sees every day from his fellow residents in his Calgary Housing community. He said community members are always willing to help each other out, no matter the challenge.

Surrounded by a supportive community, Imaan is ready to explore his educational opportunities.

“If I complete this theory, and I change it into a principle, then I’m putting humanity one step closer to entering a new age,” he said.