By Kevin Woodhouse
www.thesuburban.com
West Island youth have been invited by the WICS Youth Committee to come up with an innovative fundraising idea that could empower their community at large. The winning team will take home $1,000 to be shared amongst the group as well as a nearby non-profit organization of their choice.
The West Island Community Shares’ Youth Committee launched the Y2 (Youth Empowering Youth) concept open to adolescents from 12 to 25 who would like to make a difference in their communities.
“I encourage all of my peers to get involved by submitting a fundraising idea,” explained Elyse Lamoureux, a member of the Y2 initiative. “It’s easy and can make a big difference to West Islanders in need so think big!”
Of the 38 NGOs that WICS donate to every year, almost 60 percent of these agencies provide help in some way for teenagers and young people, amounting for more than 20,000 children needing a variety of services ranging from bullying issues, educational difficulties or dealing with illness.
Lawyer and activist Brigitte Garceau, who is serving as the group’s chair, explained that “the importance of this contest is to sensitize West Island youth to local needs in their community and to get them engaged in finding solutions.
“It is about building a sense of responsibility and starting a tradition of involvement in meeting the challenges of today and preparing for tomorrow,” noted Garceau.
The deadline for idea submissions is Monday, Nov. 24 by 5 p.m. Candidates are encouraged to come up with ideas for a fundraiser that could involve family, friends, their school or municipality.
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