Each year hundreds of Winnipeg youth are taking action to build and strengthen our community through a variety of youth initiated projects. This story is part of our Shaw United Way Youth Connections year in review 2008-2009. To view a list of all 2008-2009 projects, click here.
In coordination with February’s “I Love to Read Month” twenty St. James Collegiate High School students ventured back to their old elementary school to read to groups of elementary-aged children. Following this, the high school students served the entire school a pancake breakfast and then finished the morning off by presenting each elementary student at Brooklands with their own book.
All of the young students were excited with their gifts and it was great to see local youth reaching out to children to encourage and support education and literacy. While the children benefited from spending time with local youth in their community, the members of the project team learned some valuable life skills such as communication, leadership, organization, and personal growth.
Shaw United Way Youth Connections Grant Program works to foster youth involvement and initiative, community spirit and positive relationships through volunteerism. The program is designed to motivate and encourage youth to become involved in their schools and communities as it provides funds to support youth-driven volunteer projects that offer creative youth-initiated solutions to community issues.
Since it began in 1999, Shaw United Way Youth Connections has granted over $123 000 to student initiated projects. Between September 2008 and June 2009, more than $14 000 was granted to 16 projects led by youth.
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