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By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

starting a conversation

Youth in Philanthropy program gets kids thinking about how to help community

May 24, 2024 | 3:08 PM

A program teaching Red Deer students about the meaning of philanthropy has been both inspiring and touching, organizers share.

Erin Peden, executive director at the Red Deer and District Community Foundation, notes that Grade 5 students at St. Martin de Porres have been leading the charge with Youth in Philanthropy since 2018.

Each participating school receives $500 from the foundation to deliver small grants to local charities, and students are tasked with raising $250 to reinvest into the Youth in Philanthropy Endowment Fund.

Most times, Peden says, the students raise well above and beyond the $250.

“These kids are in between the places of being very young and not entirely understanding these concepts, and being the middle school age where they’re having a hard time figuring out who they are. They’re in this beautiful pocket, we’ve discovered, where kids are really curious about things like financial literacy and social issues,” says Peden.

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“They’re innovative too when it comes to figuring out how to raise money and are so genuinely excited about giving money.”

Peden says this isn’t a surprise, but it is refreshing.

“It’s lovely to work with humans who are so invested in the community they live in,” she says.

“They’re taking the message of the program home to their parents, and that’s a huge reason why we teach them the word philanthropy. It triggers conversations about how you can take care of your community.”

Most recently, students raised money through a public art sale at the Velvet Olive in March and April, with additional grades contributing through a spring market and bake sale. These efforts raised $3,200, allowing the students to donate $1,850 each to Breast Cancer Canada and Ned’s Wish at an assembly on May 13.

Since its introduction in 2017, the Red Deer and District Community Foundation’s Youth in Philanthropy Project has raised $17,000 for local charities, with St. Martin students contributing $15,000.

“Students have to summarize their thoughts into a presentation that will keep people engaged,” said Kelsey Paetz, Grade 5 teacher. “The impact of hearing everybody’s story sparks the need and compassion to give back.”

Paetz says the program has had a ripple effect.

“As Erin told the students, ‘When you throw a pebble into a lake, you can see the ripples. It starts to affect everyone around you.’ Giving is contagious,” she says.

Peden says they’d like to expand the program to other schools, but resources are limited. If individuals or organizations would like to sponsor the program, the foundation is ready to talk.

Annie L. Gaetz Elementary and Mattie McCullough Elementary are slated to come on board in the fall.

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