News & Events

Elmwood Girls Making a Difference in Their Community

Half of the Elmwood Grade 9 class recently took part in the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI). Based on a curriculum prepared by the Toskan Casale Foundation, students learn the fundamentals of philanthropy. By the conclusion of the course they understand how grassroots, social service organizations operate in respect to finances, ethics and accountability.

YPI’s unique program sees students working in teams to research and visit their chosen organization before making a presentation on why their cause should be awarded a $5,000 grant from the foundation. Our students chose their charities, built and presented their cases and were judged by a panel on their presentations.

One of the outcomes of the Elmwood mission is to create compassionate, engaged global citizens. This initiative teaches the students that they can effect real change in their communities and beyond. All of the students were moved by the stories they heard and the people they met on their site visits, and a number of them have decided to volunteer at these local charities.

The top two groups go on to compete later in the year against the top two from the other half of the class and the most compelling presentation will be awarded a $5000 grant for their charity. Congratulations to the finalists from the first round of presentations:

• Amanda Thoo & McKenzie Gowie on behalf of Serenity Renewal for Families
• Joa Hashizaki & Jordan Smith on behalf of Oshki Kizis