As part of the
Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) – a program which sees high school
students research and present on social issues affecting their community and on
local charities trying to make a difference – young people from Sacred
Heart School of Halifax came together to engage their peers
with passionate presentations on some incredible work being done in our own
backyard. This presentation took place on May 13th and the $5,000 grant was awarded to Phoenix Youth in Halifax.
In teams, our
students have been taking part in YPI by researching social problems in our
community and creating engaging and persuasive presentations on a local charity
they believe is best placed to tackle the issues they care about. At the YPI Final School Presentation Assembly,
the winning teams from each class delivered their presentation in front of a
large audience and a panel of judges, with one team’s charity ultimately being
selected as the recipient of the $5000 grant and this year it was awarded to Phoenix Youth. The program this year was led by Sacred Heart teacher, Mrs. Christina McKay.
More about YPI:
The Youth
and Philanthropy Initiative
The Youth and
Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) is an active citizenship program that aims to
raise awareness of philanthropy, charitable organizations and social issues
affecting local communities. In Canada, the program is targeted towards high
school students in grades 9 and 10. Canadian students taking part in YPI work
in small teams, considering the needs of their local community and identifying
a grassroots social service charity they believe can make a positive
contribution. Receiving guidance on how
to analyze impact, management and strategy, they are encouraged to build
relationships with the charity, visit their offices or facilities, and develop
a strategy for advocating to their peers on the charity’s behalf. The students
work towards developing a presentation that is shared with their class, and the
most impactful teams will go on to participate in the YPI Final School
Presentation Assembly and be given the chance to win a $5,000 grant for their
charity.
YPI started in
one school in Canada in 2002, and has continued to develop and gain momentum.
Since then, YPI has positively engaged secondary school students across Canada
and awarded millions of dollars to small, local, social service charities. In
2010, the program was described in UK’s The
Times as “something every teacher should eagerly find out about and think
of introducing to their school.”
YPI is run in
schools across Canada, in the UK, and in New York City. For more information on
YPI, please visit www.goypi.org, or send an email to info@goypi.org.
Toskan
Casale Foundation: Principal Funder & Operational Manager of YPI Canada
YPI is a
program of the Toskan Casale Foundation
The Toskan
Casale Foundation, CRA Charitable Registration No. 862949195RR0001 was launched
in 2001, and is committed to supporting and strengthening community-based
grassroots organizations that, through their social programs, reach out to
at-risk people and provide them with immediate relief and long-term
stability. The Toskan Casale Foundation
reflects the passion and beliefs of its three Directors, Julie Toskan-Casale,
Victor Casale and Frank Toskan, co-founders of M.A.C Cosmetics, and M.A.C AIDS
Fund.
