Have a talk with Daja Patterson and she'll explain how two words have taken over her life.

Patterson is a 24-year old mother and student at Toronto's George Brown College, who not only talks about "commitment and responsibilities" but also has added both to everything she does.

"I've been through rough times, challenging times and have seen a great deal," said Patterson. "After giving birth to my son, Enrico, I realized that I have a commitment and responsibilities to him, to myself and to others who I cherish to make things work – and also to help others."

Patterson, in her second year of the community worker program, has had to deal with the death of her father and, recently, also her godfather. Troubling times, she wanted to return to college and has had assistance in child care from her mother and the mother of her boyfriend.

"I want to create a career that will help me work with youth at risk and be an advocate for young mothers," she said. "I live in a low income area. I see others who get in to difficult situations and I have a 'commitment and responsibilities' to try make life a bit easier for them."

Patterson, the recipient of a special certificate recognizing her efforts to mediate problems and dealing with anti-bullying, also needs time for herself. Chilling out for her is often playing volleyball.

A former athlete of the year at Winston Churchill Collegiate, and chosen most valuable player in volleyball and basketball, Patterson – despite a few years from her days of teenage sports – tried out for the Huskies, made the team and said she has a "commitment and responsibilities" to her teammates.

"I was out of shape and it was hard to get back to volleyball, but I strived to make the team," she said. "My mother (Sharon) has been amazing and has been so important to me. I miss my father (Wayne) and my boyfriend has been a big help with our son and coming to watch me play."

Patterson learned playing volleyball at the age of seven and later played for the Scarborough Vipers in Grade 7, focused on the left side hitter position and has enjoyed her time on the George Brown roster.

"I would like to work for the City of Toronto and, in my chosen career, get right in to the neighborhoods where I can help people," she said. "That's important to me and I know it would be helpful to others."

Source: George Brown College