Coast Capital Power of Youth: Giving Hearts Workshop

As part of National Philanthropy day offerings, The Coast Capital Power of Youth: Giving Hearts Workshop gave 306 youth under 25 from across Vancouver Island the opportunity to complete a Do-It-Yourself Philanthropy workshop. Through readings, videos, and activities, this workshop provided a new foundation of skills and understanding about philanthropy. Participants explored how their time, treasure, and talent can be applied within their communities as they become the change-makers of tomorrow.

Explore the workshop materials about fundraising, advocacy, and volunteering.

Upon completion, participants received a $50 CanadaHelps Gift Card to give to a deserving cause they care about. Supported by the Andrew D. Beckerman Fund and Viveka Foundation at the Victoria Foundation, this resulted in a disbursing of $15,300.

2021 Giving Hearts Workshop Participants

Myla Bui

“The Coast Capital Power of Youth: Giving Hearts Workshop taught me about philanthropy, which I did not know what it was and what it was about. After learning more about philanthropy it made me think how I could become a philanthropist and make a difference in my community. My older sister was in a horrible accident and our community of Victoria and the Help Fill a Dream Foundation helped our family with a lot of my sister’s needs. I wanted to give back and help raise funds to donate to Help Fill a Dream so they could help fill dreams of other children in our community. I started a fundraiser called 1001 Cranes 1 Wish where every 1 dollar donated I would fold an origami crane. After each $1001 raised and 1001 cranes folded I would create a mobile that would be donated to a dream kid, along with the funds to go towards making their dream become true. My original goal was $2002 but everyone was very generous and I raised over $30,000. The workshop which led me to start the fundraiser was a great experience. I learned that there are a lot of generous and caring people who wants to make a difference. It makes me happy that I too can make a difference.”

– Myla Bui

Andrei Marti

In the video below, Andrei reflects on what he learned in the Power of Youth workshop, why he is passionate about philanthropy, and how he uses his time, talent, and treasure to better his community. He also shares how he raised money for Help Fill a Dream and the challenges he faced with giving during the pandemic.

Pyper Phillips

“I am currently not enrolled in metal shop because I already took TASK last year, but had a free space to fill and chose to help produce more red metal dresses, for the red dress foundation. At this point I am enrolled in Camosun College to further my education in welding and metal work. Hopefully that will lead me to a fulfilling career in welding, and will hopefully help me branch off and be a good role model for other young women in my community. It would make me very happy to help young women in the trades feel confident in a male dominated trade. Being able to show young women to not be scared or worry what others think. Just go for it if you love it!”

– Pyper Phillips

Learn more about Pyper Phillips and the red dress metalworking class project at Edward Milne Community School in this CTV News Vancouver Island’s segment.