Youth and Philanthropy Initiative
I was thrilled to discover that there was a digital tech-focused conference targeted at charity professionals, right here in Toronto. The sponsored event brought together subject-area experts from the corporate and social benefit sectors to support forward-thinking charities make better use of technology to accomplish their mission.
This past Saturday, People for Education held their annual conference, with the theme “Public Education in a Changing World.” The conference featured sessions on e-learning, Indigenous education, and mental health in schools among other timely topics. I was pleased to attend at York University in Toronto, and to contribute YPI’s perspective to a panel presentation, “Beyond Tokenism” on the topic of youth engagement in curriculum and education policy. The conference drew diverse education stakeholders including teachers, school and board administrators, students, researchers, elected officials, parents, and representatives from community-based organizations. Here are some of my highlights and reflections from the day.
Toronto, ON (JUNE 11, 2018) – TD Bank Group has announced a major donation of $500,000 to the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Canada in 2018/2019, as part of its new global corporate citizenship platform, The Ready Commitment.
TD’s The Ready Commitment will target CDN $1 billion (US $775 million) in total by 2030 towards community giving in four areas critical to building an inclusive tomorrow – Financial Security, a more Vibrant Planet, Connected Communities and Better Health.
“You hear that even a little thing can make a change, but I never thought that I’d be the one making that change.”
These are the words of Alexa, a grade 10 student at Eden High School who is part of a student team currently participating in YPI. The “little thing” she’s referring to is a school-wide campaign and fundraiser. I caught up with Alexa and her friends to hear the whole story.
Racism; poverty; gender-based violence; access to quality education: At the heart of each of these pressing social issues are real people’s human rights that are being infringed upon.
Through the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), secondary school students across Canada are researching these and other social issues facing their local communities; and advocating for charities that stand up for people’s human rights.
Toronto, ON (JUNE 19, 2017) – The waitlist for a spot in a multi-award-winning project for Canadian secondary schools will be shorter next year, thanks to a major donation of $500,000 from TD Bank Group. TD’s announcement doubles their longstanding support of the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Canada, and secures enrollment for 20,000 students across the country in 2017/18.
On Friday May 15th, Saint Mary’s University recognized YPI’s founder, Julie Toskan-Casale, with an honorary doctorate in Civil Law.
Saint Mary’s, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, confers an honorary degree upon an individual who has an established record of distinguished achievement and remarkable service complemented by personal moral integrity, and who has achieved extraordinary and lasting distinction in his or her field.
The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) – an innovative approach to charitable giving, community-building and youth engagement – will return to Canadian schools for a 12th consecutive year, having granted over $10 million to local grassroots charities since first launching in 2002.
“We’re so proud of the students who take part in YPI and have made this achievement possible,” says YPI president and co-founder Julie Toskan-Casale, quick to give credit to the grade nine and 10 students who secure $5000 grants for charitable organizations with a community focus.
2013! It’s been a year to remember. Here are some of the highlights from this year:
1. Our launch of YPI Northern Ireland
2012-2013 was the first year that we ran the YPI program in Northern Ireland. We opened the program in 5 schools, and we’re on track to grant 10 grants in 2013-2014!
Our first-ever YPI Grow Out Forum was a big success!
Welcoming close to 1000 students and teachers from across Ontario to Toronto’s Sony Centre, our morning kicked off with a welcome from MC Kelly Lovell, followed by an empowering address from man-of-many-talents, Warren Coughlin.
We heard from Jonah and Emily – two awesome YPI Alumni who each created some really special videos as part of their YPI experience.
