YPI – 9s Act for Charity

16 December 2022Dara M, Alexandra ‘25; Photo by Ms Sarah Langer

Our Grade 9s have been working hard on their YPI projects this term. The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) is an opportunity for students to engage with and represent local charities. Opening young eyes to those less fortunate than us and finding a way to help them is the core of this project. Throughout, students learn about social issues, research skills, and presentation methods to ensure one local charity ultimately receives a grant of $5000. More than a decade ago, YPI was brought to Brentwood. We are now one of hundreds of secondary schools taking part in YPI across the country and granting $5000 every year to a local charity.

In their groups, the 9s choose a charity in the Cowichan Valley to represent. After doing some thorough research on the internet, the 9s contacted them to schedule a visit to see, firsthand, what the charity does. Visiting the charity let the students see how the organization operates. Miranda M, Alex ‘26, who represented a charity for multiculturalism, noted, “I didn’t realize how big a problem immigrants face. Our charity allowed us to see this problem on a global scale through their surveys.” Recognition of these issues amongst young people improves the development of our generation and our knowledge of the social issues in our community.

Local charities look forward to this time of year as young people visit their projects to learn and help out. Mr Wismer, the lead teacher of YPI for the past 8 years, exclaims, “The students were pumped after visiting their charity. Seeing the connection they developed was empowering. It wasn’t just a project for school anymore, they felt tied to the charity and put in their all to win for them.”

The winning group of Ryder R, Privett ‘26, Ainsley L, Hope ‘26, Tommy R, Ellis ‘26 and Jenisha F, Allard ‘26 advocated for the Cowichan Green Community. The four were excited about engaging in the project from the start and took this opportunity to learn as much as they could about the charity. By researching beforehand, they went into the charity being able to dig deeper into their cause.
Speaking on a big stage isn’t easy, and it requires building up courage and confidence to present to their audience. Ryder R, Privett ‘26 explains, “Knowing that I was doing something for the greater good helped me overcome my stage fright. I went up on the stage knowing exactly what to say. I was ready.” After weeks of preparation and practicing their scripts, the students walked on stage, ready to put their public speaking skills to use.

YPI is an amazing opportunity for young students at Brentwood to learn about the underrepresented in our community and be able to help out needs right here in the Cowichan Valley. After learning about the charities, the most rewarding part for the students is the feeling of having contributed to their community. Whether that is by bringing awareness to the charity’s cause with their presentation, or winning the $5000 cheque, both are deeply appreciated by our fellow citizens and thus these charities welcome our grade 9s with radiant smiles every year.

Dara M, Alexandra ‘25

Where Students Choose To Be