“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…
Volunteering opens up our mind to new ideas and concepts, and develops new skills. You are able to interact and cooperate with different people, and create bonds. Volunteering allows you to gain experience, which you can use in real life situations. In some cases, it’s the joy of nurturing and supporting the elders, or teaching…
It is a boundless world. Many visualized it as channels and interconnections between sender and receiver – information anxiously speeding along police-free highways to their destination. I’ve always seen it as an ocean, though, where waves lapped at the shore in the fog and sparkled at sunset. Millions and millions of individuals like ourselves trapped…
Homework, debate, choir, homework, school, work. November and December are busy months for me, and I’m guessing many of you can say the same. So I challenge you to do something in these times of busyness. I challenge you to do something for others. I challenge you to change someone else’s day for the better.…
Again this year, the University of Calgary invites schools in Calgary to participate in a Model United Nations conference between schools on their campus. The goal is to have every participating school represent a few of the current countries of the UN and its committees. The young delegates get to discuss current issues and pass…
Are you passionate about changing the world? Did you know that there are grants available to small, non-profit organizations? This year, National Bank sponsored 104 non-profits by donating a total of $1 million. The One for Youth Project ensures that the funds are going to programs that improve the lives of youth. The National Bank…
Collecting food bank items instead of candy A couple weeks ago, I wrote this post about alternative ways for teenagers to spend Halloween. So what did I end up doing on Halloween? Nothing even close to what I included in that blog post. Except maybe the concept of spreading happiness. Why? I scared hunger. I…
It’s one thing to attend We Day. It’s a whole different thing to be part of We Day. This year, I took on that role as a CROWD PUMPER! In short, I missed a day of school to scream and dance inside the Saddledome, listening to famous performers and mind-blowing speakers. Over 18,000 people (16,000 students)…
There’s a new type of teaching method going around: Self-directed teaching ourselves. Yep, that’s right. Instead of just learning and memorizing what the teacher tells you, you go and learn whatever you like on your own, with help from classmates as well. I recently discovered and learned about this new method of teaching through this…
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,…
A post about another online magazine on a (basically) online magazine? Blasphemous! But that is exactly what it is: we are talking about the one and only Canadian youth-run online magazine, The Young Wanderer. As taken straight from the site, here is what TYW is in a nutshell: “The Young Wanderer is a student-led online magazine…
This viral video was an instant classic because of its tear-jerking characters and the idea that a simple act of kindness can inspire many other bigger acts. Thai communication provider TrueMove H truly made a classic with this commercial because it shows the immense power that we humans have within us to influence and change other people’s perceptions…
This is a guest post from YMCA Calgary. Do you know someone in your community who has done amazing work? Nominate them for a YMCA Peace Medal! We have seen a great deal of generosity, compassion and kindness since this year’s Southern Alberta Flood Emergency. A YMCA Peace Medal nomination is a great way to…
Do you enjoying giving happiness? Even the smallest things in life can truly make a difference. This summer, I was fortunate to be one of the three teens chosen to take part in Coca Cola’s Open Happiness Project. They allowed my organization, Children’s Birthday Miracles, to celebrate our biggest birthday party! Coca Cola rented all…
If you haven’t heard of We Day before, then you are missing out on some fun. We Day is an education movement for youth around the world to make a difference: lead global change. We Day is run by Free the Children and Me to We as part of We Act, which is a forum…