Students from Aldershot School Secure $15,000 for Local Charities Through Burlington Community Foundation

What began as a classroom assignment became a chance for students to connect with their community, support meaningful causes and see firsthand the difference they can make. Students at Aldershot School took philanthropy beyond the classroom this year, turning research into real-world impact through the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).

YPI is a national program designed to introduce secondary school students to the fundamentals of charitable giving. According to YPI, it gives students the opportunity to “play a direct role in making a financial grant to a local, grassroots social service organization in their own community.” At Aldershot, that opportunity translated into meaningful connections, hands-on learning and $15,000 in funding distributed to local charities.

Students worked in groups to choose a pressing social issue, research a charity addressing that issue and present their findings to a panel of judges, focusing on human-service organizations.

Teacher Matthew Maguire said one of the most impactful parts of the project is seeing students step outside their comfort zones when reaching out to organizations.

Mr. Maguire sees value in students reaching out to charities by cold call or email. “They feel very hesitant to do that kind of thing. Even though it’s a small thing, it’s a big thing for them,” he said. “When they actually get involved, I think they gain more from the experience.”

This year’s top five groups presented to a panel that included community members and past YPI participants. Grade 11 I-STEM students also supported the Grade 10 presenters by offering mentorship and feedback throughout the process.

Over the past six years, approximately $25,000 has been distributed through the Aldershot community as part of the school’s participation in YPI. This year alone, three groups were awarded $5,000 each to support their chosen charities.

Among the winners were students representing the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #60, the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides and the Hamilton Music Collective.

The student group supporting the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #60, made up of Andrew McAlpine, Dave Mifsud and Neven Nelson, focused on the organization’s role in supporting veterans through community initiatives.

Another winning group focused on the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, represented by students Vivian Hoffman, Ariane Clarke and Matea Greig. Their presentation emphasized accessibility and the role service dogs play in supporting individuals with both visible and invisible disabilities.

“It was so cool to participate in this project,” said Grade 10 student Matea. She added that the experience changed her understanding of charitable impact. “You may know that a charity exists, but you don’t always know how impactful they are.”

Travis Forbes, National Manager at the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, attended the presentation and brought a future dog guide to cheer on the group during their pitch.

“This is a really cool initiative,” said Forbes, noting the value of youth engagement in philanthropy and awareness of how organizations operate.

The Hamilton Music Collective, represented by Evan Bennett, Hugh Chesney and Lucca Shih Fazzio, was also selected as a top winner for its mission to remove barriers to music opportunities. Through various programs, the collective helps students build self-confidence and become active members of their community.

Beyond the funding, the experience left a lasting impression, helping students build confidence, strengthen communication skills and deepen their awareness of local organizations.

The project aligns with the Halton District School Board’s 2024–2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan, particularly the commitment to Kindness, Connection and Community, as students engage directly with local organizations and strengthen ties within their community.