Halton Youth Think INSIDE the Box!

Students at Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School in Oakville, ON took a unique idea, added some youth-driven planning and ended up huddling together to support the clients of the Mary Mother of God Conference.

Almost 100 students participated in the second annual ‘BYOB”, Bring Your Own Box, awareness and fundraiser event. This group of hardy youth spent a cold day in November living outdoors, with only boxes for shelter and warmth, in their effort to raise awareness of the issues surrounding poverty. Their participation in social justice activities throughout the day, including participating in a ‘soup line’ provided by St. Vincent de Paul volunteers, was a true example of young people living their faith. The early winter weather, (including a brisk wind!), certainly helped drive the point home that homelessness and poverty are both issues our society urgently needs to address.

The funds personally raised by the students, in excess of $2740, were donated to the Mary Mother of God Conference in recognition that everyone deserves to live in dignity. Thank you Holy Trinity students for thinking INSIDE the box!

GUIDED by the desire to help!

The Mary Mother of God Conference continues to be amazed by the power of a bunch of girls driven by the Guiding spirit! The14th Oakville Girl Guide Unit is never short on ideas and our clients are always in the front of their minds when they brainstorm practical ways to help others. The list is endless. The Guides have brightened the front steps of many of our clients’ homes by potting up spring annuals for which they solicited donations from local merchants. These girls have personally baked and packaged cookies by the dozen to add to the Fresh Food Boxes we provide to our families monthly. The Guides have not only held a book drive but created kits so the children who receive a book (or two!) can make their own bookmarks-easy to do, colourful and fun! Finally, at Christmas time the group of Guiders is one of the first to sponsor a family, providing food, toys and other special items to brighten the season for others. Guided by the desire to help, a small group of girls continues to improve the lives of the clients of St. Vincent de Paul. Well done 14th Oakville Guides!

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