our work

In this section we share lessons learned through our work under the guise of "stories".  We hope you enjoy them.  We try to "mine" stories from grant reports - if you have not been contacted by the Foundation and have a story you would like to see posted here, please contact your program coordinator for details on how to make it happen.

This is What We Call Home: Youth speak up about pollution on Fort William First Nation
The first major project of the Anishinabek of the Gitchi Gami, a citizen-based environmental advocacy group on Fort William First Nation, adjacent to Thunder Bay, is a youth-led exploration of environmental health issues on their reserve.[more]

Inclusive Education: Where is the Voice for Youth?

Described as the “system of secret handshakes” by Valerie McDonald who until recently had been with People for Education since its inception ten years ago, the system of people, relationships and networks involved in public education can be a difficult road to negotiate.  Annie Kidder, president of People for Education indicates that there are a variety of class issues and that much needs to be done to improve a system that is generally more “user-friendly” to white, English speaking parents and students. [more]

Closing the Distance…

A Community Where All Kids Belong!
The Social Planning Council of Sudbury's Closing the Distance project focused on children and helping to "close the distance" between certain marginalized populations in these local areas and mainstream community life.[more]

Science to Mobilize Change: Citizens' Environment Watch

Citizens’ Environment Watch is a Toronto-based, youth-focused environmental organization that initiates and supports community-based ecological monitoring and stewardship. CEW’s programs put scientific tools and processes in the hands of community members, creating informed and engaged citizens who are able to advocate for the health of their environments.  [more]

The Barbershop Show

Conducted in partnership with Amnesty International, this tour used a musical theatre presentation to engage youth in discussion about human rights and the role they can play in affecting positive change in their communities, domestically and overseas.  [more]

Haircuts by Children

Darren O'Donnell created the concept of Haircuts by Children when, at a youth conference, he asked a 10 year old boy to cut his hair and the child refused – not comfortable with the offer for fear of not doing a good job...[more]

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