Giving Back

25 February 2013Lindsay B-E, Alex ‘14

Brentwood provides diverse opportunities for its students. Be it academic, athletic or artistic programs – you name it, we have it. This is also true for extra curricular activities within the school, most notably the BEAT (Brentwood Environmental Action Team), the SAC (Student Activities Committee) and SPARC (Service Peer Assistance Resource Counselors.) Formed by the dedicated students who wish to improve our community, these groups focus on volunteer efforts on campus, in the community, and on a global front.

Spearheaded by Mrs. Andrea Felix, and this year’s President, Raveena K, SPARC’s umbrella covers many items in the volunteer sector. “We have a moral responsibility to give back to the community that we are a part of, and the school has opened up so many opportunities for students to make that happen” says Raveena, when asked why she supports the organization so strongly. “I’m always happily surprised to see how many students are motivated to help out and volunteer for the school and community, especially with how easy it is to shy away from that kind of thing.”  

I also had a chance to catch up with Mrs. Felix and discuss her views on the topic.

Q: What are some of the most important volunteer opportunities that Brentwood (particularly SPARC) provides? Why?

A: Peer-to-peer work creates a caring, empathetic environment and engages students in looking out for one another. Service work does the same but in a broader way – mindfulness of the plight of others is what will build a stronger community.

Q: How old is SPARC?  

A: It started with about seven people 11 years ago – students wanting to help students and foster an environment that encouraged connection with each other.  Drug Awareness Day was born out of this first group – they were concerned about drug use/drinking amongst their peers and wanted to do something about it.

Q: How can students volunteer?  

A: Once SPARC trained, students can become peer educators (teaching peers about health and wellness issues either at assemblies or in small group discussions in the houses. Topics include tanning awareness, cybersafety and bullying, respectful relationships, eating disorders, mental health/mental illness and substance misuse. Students can work at the food bank, hospital, Alzheimer’s care facility, child care centre, and schools as a bus supervisor/reading buddy. All students are welcome to help SPARC’s Khowhemun School initiative – which makes soup weekly for students in need at this local elementary school. SPARC prepares Grade 11s for leadership with Leaders 11 which fosters collaboration to create a positive community for the next year. SPARC also spearheads awareness and fundraising activities to support local need including the food bank, AIDS research, BC Children’s Hospital, Canadian Cancer Society, and Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. We currently have a new arm of SPARC, which is OMNI, a gay-straight alliance group which provides support to our GLBT community and create awareness for our larger Brentwood community. Students can become involved in volunteering with this group as well. SPARC is also involved in raising awareness about humanitarian issues, working alongside the BEAT and SAC including14HA (a simulation of being a refugee) attending Humanity Strikes Back, raising awareness about aboriginal issues and people in our own community living below the poverty line.

Q: What does SPARC mean to you?  

A: Good question. It is the opportunity to share what I value and I hope that caring for and understanding others will catch on – like a pebble being tossed in still waters – the ripples will affect change! SPARC may also be involved in a new version of Charity Work Day – supporting the notion of helping others locally.

The group’s charitable nature is key at Brentwood. It has created an inclusive, kind, and giving environment free of judgment that allows students to feel safe and welcome. Building a strong sense of unity within the school and its surrounding community, SPARC has grown in size and reach as more and more students become involved with the betterment of individuals and of the school as a whole. As Mother Teresa once said, “The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.” Participate and appreciate other people. It may not seem like much, but small acts of kindness can mean the world to those in need.

Lindsay B-E, Alex ‘14