www.oakbaynews.com • A29
OAK BAY NEWS - Friday, May 25, 2012
Philanthropy
Belmont Secondary School Vital Youth representatives from left to right: Kati Waters, Laura Anthony, Emily Seeley and Josie Thompson. Belmont grant recipients from left to right: Braude (full name) and David Hosking of the Disability Resource Centre, Kari Marks from Wild ARC (back row) and Alan Rycroft from Cool Aid. Victoria Foundation Board Chair Deirdre Roberts is second from the right.
The Victoria Foundation & Black Press Working Together – how philanthropy shapes our community
From left to right: Reynolds Secondary School Vital Youth representatives Kate Worthy, Sara McKinnon, Leah Baade, former Vital Youth Program Coordinator for the Victoria Foundation, students Katie Gamble, Tessa Fryer, Erinne Paisley. Front, left to right, Victoria Foundation Board Chair Deirdre Roberts and Faye Cawsey of Recreation Integration Victoria
Philanthropy a vital lesson for high school students in Vital Youth program
Grant Allocations
Representatives of the Victoria Foundation’s Vital Youth program presented a total of $17,684 in grants to 18 local charities earlier this month at a year-end awards night at the Canadian College of Performing Arts. The Vital Youth program provides students at seven schools (Belmont Secondary School, Frances Kelsey Secondary School, Oak Bay High School, Reynolds Secondary School, St. Michaels University School, Stelly’s Secondary School, Victoria High School) with hands-on experience in philanthropy and community development. “We really got to see the essence of philanthropy,” said Erinne Paisley, a Grade 9 student at Reynolds Secondary School who delivered her team’s presentation speech. “We all feel privileged to be part of the Vital Youth program and know that we will all continue in
our own ways to be philanthropists our entire lives.” Students participate through a leadership class or a youth advisory committee. Each project team is allotted $500 for their school’s endowment fund and $2,500 annually to distribute to federally registered charities on southern Vancouver Island, after using the Victoria’s Vital Signs® report to research community needs. Students research potential charities, conducting interviews and on-site visits. Each participant provides input and the team as a whole decides how to allocate the grant funds. “The size of the Vital Youth grants is relatively small but the impact of the program is unquestionably large,” said Victoria Foundation Board Chair Deirdre Roberts. “Students gain analytical skills and an appreciation
Belmont Secondary School Victoria Cool Aid Society – Downtown Activity Centre, Every Step Counts ......$625 Victoria Disability Resource Society ........................................................$1,250 Wild ARC ..................................................................................................$625 Frances Kelsey Secondary School KidSport Canada – Cowichan Branch .........................................................$200 Cowichan Search & Rescue Society ...........................................................$450 Canadian Mental Health Assoc. Cowichan Valley Branch for Bike Works .......$650 Cowichan Historical Society .......................................................................$600 Cowichan Women Against Violence Society for Somenos House ..................$600 Oak Bay High School PEERS Victoria Resource Society ............................................................$2,500 Reynolds High School Victoria Integration Society .....................................................................$2,500
of community leadership that we hope will encourage them to support their community throughout their lives.” The Vital Youth program is supported by the following fund-holders at the Victoria Foundation: • Honourary Governors’ Millennium Fund (including personal contributions from a number of the Victoria Foundation’s Honourary Governors); • Saanich Peninsula Foundation Fund • Victoria Foundation Vital Youth Program Fund (including contributions from various donors). For more information about the Vital Youth program and other work of the Victoria Foundation, see www.victoriafoundation.bc.ca
CHECKLIST
Arts & Culture Belonging & Leadership Economy Environment Getting Started Health & Wellness Housing Learning Safety Standard of Living Transportation
St. Michaels University School Extreme Outreach Society ......................................................................$1,000 PEERS Victoria Resource Society ...............................................................$884 Anawim Companion Society .......................................................................$750 Stelly’s High School Victoria Riding for the Disabled ..............................................................$1,000 Creating Homefulness Society ................................................................$1,000 Peninsula Streams Society ........................................................................$500 Victoria High School Threshold Housing Society for Mitchell and Holly Houses ............................$625 Fernwood Community Association ..............................................................$625 Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team.........................................................$625 Victoria Cool Aid Pandora Youth Housing Youth Support .......................... $625
Enjoy the creativity of choice. Donors can follow their hearts and think creatively when working with the Victoria Foundation. We offer an amazing range of funds and causes you may support – including any registered charity in Canada. We also offer many options for making your gift – now or through your estate plan.
Learn more at www.victoriafoundation.bc.ca or call 250 381-5532
Photo: Paul Destrooper, Artistic Director of Ballet Victoria – a recipient of grants from the Victoria Foundation. Tickets are now on sale for A Midsummer Nights Dream & other works, May 26 – June 1