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.
On April 24th 2009, a group of young people interested in pursuing lifestyles that reflect a passion for social justice held a conference on consumerism for High School students. Members of FAIRE (Fostering Awareness of International Rights for Everyone) invited a number of professional speakers from Universities and local businesses to educate students about the economy, and how their spending habits affect other people. The students in attendance were asked to consider their contribution to the effects of their consumerism habits. The team included a Fair Trade lunch courtesy of Mondragon. 
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.
Leave a Reply