The Grade 8 Creative Action class of 2023 at North Park Wilson School put their artistic and social skills to work for the greater good, earning them a National Philanthropy Day Award. Their hands-on volunteer work and powerful art exhibit on houselessness showed the profound role young people can have as they begin to take leadership in a community.
Creative Action is a unique full-year program for Grade 8 students who are interested in leadership development, demonstrate a passion for the arts, and have the desire to make a difference in their communities. The program nurtures Saskatoon's next generation of citizens, artists, and leaders by connecting students with local artists and leaders. As they become involved in community networks, students learn and think deeply about pressing societal issues.
On November 14th, 2024, the Creative Action Class of 2023 received a National Philanthropy Day Award in the category of Youth in Philanthropy. The award recognizes their work with the Saskatoon Food Bank, as well as their efforts to raise awareness about houselessness through their exhibit, I Am Here. I Am Human.
I Am Here. I Am Human. was displayed at Art Placement, a downtown Saskatoon gallery, and aimed to bring attention to the issue of houselessness. In preparation, students interviewed individuals who experience houselessness to get first-hand perspectives. They also spoke with community figures such as the Executive Director of Prairie Harm Reduction, the Mayor of Saskatoon, and the Vice Fire Chief in charge of encampment fire safety. Through these conversations, the students collected stories and perspectives that formed the heart of their exhibit.
The exhibit featured spoken word performances, original music composed for the event, and large-scale art pieces and photographs that captured often overlooked stories. The opening night was a community event, with the students hosting a gala where the public could view the exhibit and contribute donations of food and money. The exhibit had a profound emotional impact on attendees and sparked important conversations about the realities of houselessness. Its success even earned coverage in local news, amplifying students' messages.
In addition to raising awareness, the class dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours to the Saskatoon Food Bank. They helped to build emergency food hampers which feed more than 23,000 people each month, 41% of whom are children. The students also worked in the Food Bank Garden Patch, helping to weed, harvest, and grow fresh produce that directly contributes to the food bank's efforts. By directly contributing to the Saskatoon Food Bank, students put their learnings into action to combat the effects of poverty in Saskatoon.
Creative Action student Brandon B. reflected on the ways that the program helped him grow:
"Creative Action did a lot for me. In terms of activism, it gave me opportunities to get involved in the community in ways I probably wouldn't have if it had not been there. ( ) Personally though, that class did much more - that was the first year I really got to present like myself in a supportive environment. Without that support, I don't know if I would be in the same place I am today."
Like many Creative Action students, Brandon has gone on to further artistic and activist pursuits. Now in Grade 10, he participates in Future Artistic Minds, a collective where he helps to assemble care boxes for Transgender, Two-Spirit, and Genderqueer members of the community.
We congratulate the Creative Action class of 2023 for showing that, when it comes to making a difference, age is no limitation.
Pictured: Grey V., Elle C., and Brandon B accept the Youth in Philanthropy award on behalf of their class at the National Philanthropy Day Luncheon.
