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.
A group of 25 students from Golden Gate were trained by a Nationally-Certified Restitution officer of Canada in Peer Mentorship-focusing on restitution. The project team then took the training they received to train grade 4 and 5 students at Strathmillan Elementary School. 
The training included teaching social responsibility and problem solving, leadership skills through Restitution/Control Theory and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. The older students demonstrated their understanding of restitution by planning activities and incorporating what they found to be the most useful while working with the younger students. It was a very rewarding experience for all involved.
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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