Vision

Our vision for Canada is one where importance is placed on giving back to the community through volunteerism.

8:30 AM on May 24th marked the start of CJS Day of Caring. Over 100 students of the CJS Graduating Class of 2018 proudly gave back to their community by volunteering their time in a variety of ways at several locations within our local community and in greater Winnipeg.

Before departing to their volunteer experiences, students had the chance to hear from the Honourable Rochelle Squires, MLA for Riel and Mr. Henri Péloquin, Assistant Superintendent for the Louis Riel School Division who both brought greetings and talked about the impact volunteering has on the community.

Issues that were addressed were the following : providing elementary students the opportunity to engage with positive role models who shared messages of the importance of completing an education and thanking those who helped along the way; showing appreciation for the green spaces in the neighbourhood by picking up garbage and making the areas safe for all who enjoy walking the trails; creating relationships with residents of the assisted living facility; providing assistance to a food bank and realizing its importance for citizens of Winnipeg.

These issues are important to demonstrate that high school students care about their community and want to make it better place for all reside who in it.

Action

The future Grads of 2018 volunteered their time:
Assisting at local elementary schools École Varennes, École Marie-Anne-Gaboury, École George-McDowell, École St. Germain, and École Sage Creek School;
Assisting at Dakota House, an assisted living facility;
Helping at Winnipeg Harvest;
Assisting at local childcare centres Beautiful Saviour Daycare and École St. Germain Daycare;
Garbage collecting and beautifying neighbouring green spaces in the Dakota Forest, the United Church in Meadowood, and on the Collège Jeanne-Sauvé grounds.
The students who participated chose the location of their volunteer activity.

Reflection & Celebration

Following their experiences, students returned to Collège Jeanne-Sauvé and commemorated their volunteer experiences by filling out a blue heart that was displayed in the entrance of the school which spoke of their positive experiences of giving back to the community. A picnic lunch of pizza and water was then enjoyed by all.
CJS plans to make the Day of Caring an annual event as all the feedback received from the participating organizations all were extremely appreciative of the efforts of the students.