This past week, I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down and chat with Amanda Calleberg, one of the ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA) finalists for the leadership category. ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Leadership Award To be given to a youth who has chosen to take a leadership role in bringing positive change…
Did you know that an estimated 85 million children across the world are sold are trafficked into child labour jobs? These are dangerous, dirty and degrading. Of these 85 million, there are an estimated 2 million children worldwide being affected by sexual exploitation each year. In 2013, World Vision Canada launched the No Child for Sale national…
You’ve worked hard all year (or not worked at all) and now, graduation season is approaching. From the end of May to June, most high schools will be having graduation ceremonies to celebrate the achievements of their Grade 12 students. Whether graduation signals the end of school torture, or the beginning of success, it is a time…
As I’ve posted about earlier, The Metamorphosis by the Alberta Children’s Hospital Youth Council occurred last week at the Inglewood Community Hall. With the generosity of all of our supporters, we were able to raise over $10,000 in total towards mental health. On behalf of the council, I would like to thank everyone who helped…
From the Penguin Plunge to the Transalta Rainforest, the Calgary Zoo is full of places to see, learn and discover. For youth, one of the most amazing experiences visiting the zoo is to take be in such close contact with exotic animals. Here are a few tips to make your experience at the Calgary…
Did you know nearly 1 in 5 children have a diagnosable psychiatric concern? Mental health is one of the largest health problems facing young people today. From anxiety to depression, many are not even aware of these health problems that plague so many youth today. In Alberta alone, there are an estimated 200,000 children living…
In March, I had the opportunity to participate in Forum for Young Canadians, a one week program for youth ages 15-19 to learn about the world of federal politics in Ottawa. Run by the Foundation for the Study of Processes of Government in Canada, the forum allowed me to see the role that young people…
Did you know that the World Vision 30 Hour Famine started in our very own city of Calgary? The first 30 Hour Famine began in 1971, when 17-year-old Ruth Roberts and his friends had a church basement event in Calgary to raise money for children suffering during a famine. Today, thousands of teens across Canada…
Going through my years in the Calgary Board of Education and the Alberta Education system, I have had times where the things we learned in math class seemed useless. And it stems beyond that, from choices such as school locations to curriculum content. I feel, in many ways, disconnected from those who make the decisions.…
Tommy Crisp may look to be your normal 11-year-old boy, but through the Calgary Cerebral Palsy Association and the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta, Tommy has raised over $2,000 for his 9-year-old brother Kale, who suffers from a form of cerebral palsy. Recently, Tommy was recognized by Kids Up Front Calgary and Youth Central’s Pay It Forward…
“Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice.”-Nelson Mandela Going to the other side of the world to volunteer? Why do that when you can volunteer in your local community? After attending WeDay Alberta 2013, my interest in international volunteer trips was once again stirred up. I was part…
Recently, St. Basil Elementary and Junior High School announced their decision to remove academic awards for students, and while some support the idea of a protecting the pride of students, many more are furious that academic achievements are not being properly recognized. According to the Calgary Herald, the decision made by Administration and staff was…
Coming up this weekend will be the annual Halloween Howl Run and Walk event down by the Eau Claire Running Room.This will be a great event for all ages to dress up in some spooky Halloween wear and run for a good cause: diabetes research. This years event will be on Saturday October 26, 2013,…
Last week, I was fortunate enough to go on a music camp down to River’s Edge Camp in the heart of Water Valley, right next to the Rocky Mountains. The autumn weather was beautiful, and there was no snow. As another cold winter season starts to roll in, I am really going to miss the…
As we near Halloween, avid spooksters will need to check out one of the biggest halloween parties in Calgary: Screamfest 2013. The annual event takes place on during the night on the weekends leading up to Oct 31, and is filled with spooky entertainment, contests and most importantly, haunted houses. Screamfest will be open from…