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Youth in Philanthropy 2013/2014 Launches at Beaver Brae Secondary School


Young people who care about their communities are increasingly getting involved in philanthropy. No where was this more evident that at the launch of the Youth in Philanthropy Program (YIP), at Beaver Brae Secondary School held on Thursday September 26, 2013.

Entering its seventh year, this innovative program led by the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation, seeks to engage youth in their community and create an awareness of local needs.

To date, the program has involved over sixty students at Beaver Brae and has granted over $16,000 to dozens of charities in the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Region. Students come together in the fall to examine community needs and set their granting priorities. Next they select a group of charities to visit, and finally award small community grants in the spring.

Joining the Community Foundation at the launch was special guest Maureen Brophy, program manager for the Ontario Trillium Foundation in Thunder Bay. The Trillium Foundation was responsible for the start up of the YIP program at both high schools, beginning in the fall of 2006.

“The Youth in Philanthropy program is a great opportunity for our young people in Kenora to gain skills that can last a lifetime,” said Community Foundation President Don Parfitt. “They will learn about our registered charitable organizations, which are doing wonderful work to make our community stronger.” “Past students tell us that they learned a great deal about the charities in the Kenora area and that they did not realize how many volunteers are involved in charities working to improve the quality of life in the Kenora area”.

In addition, to their grant making efforts over the years, students have also created their own endowment fund for the Youth in Philanthropy Program at Beaver Brae. The fund now totals over $4,000.

The Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation’s mission is to help improve community living and the quality of life for residents and visitors to the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Region. Through the establishment of endowment funds and the generosity of donors, the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation has provided $1,100,000 in grants to over fifty charitable organizations that enhance the quality of life in our region.

For more information, on how to get involved in our community, please contact:
Darlene MacGillivray, Executive Director
Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation
807-467-4427
info@klwcf.ca

 

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