Faraday students help Winnipeg's homeless

Faraday School’s Student Voice group was recently talking about the issue of Winnipeg’s homeless population when they agreed they wanted to do something to help them. 

The group of Grade 5 to 6 students noticed the need in their community and decided they would make a call for donations of new items for the homeless. They organized and ran the event over the course of just a few weeks, collecting much needed items to be distributed to the Main Street Project. 

One of the group’s members, student Linsey Seaver says the choice to help was an easy one to make. 

“We wanted to help with the homelessness, because we don’t like seeing people struggling out there on the streets, suffering from the cold,” says Seaver. 

Some items that organizations like Main Street Project are in dire need of include brand new toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, mittens, toques, body wash, soap, razors and feminine hygiene products like pads.

Guidance counsellor Joanna Grimolfson helped the group with their goal and realized their hard work will have far reaching effects in their future. 

“It gives our student voice group the opportunity to help others in need,” says Grimoldson.

“It helps build empathy in our students and it empowers them to know that they can actually make a difference and that every little bit counts.”

Faraday School Principal Jennifer Cox is also pleased with the students’ efforts and its positive outcomes on both the community and her students.

“They’re feeling like they are making a difference,” says Cox. “We speak to students all the time about being the change and treating others with kindness and respect, the way we would want to be treated. So it’s really empowering our students to know that they can lead and make a change for others.”