Giving Back

How I Give Back – My Community Involvement

I stand strongly behind the fact that everyone should do something to give back to their community. Whether it’s giving money or time, everyone should contribute to a program or cause that reflects their personal beliefs or values.

One of the programs that I have supported for the past four years is the Alberta Community and Co-operative Association Youth Program. Every summer I volunteer 10 days of my time as a member of the staff team of one of the youth camps.

In my opinion, the ACCA Co-operative Youth Program is an amazing program that provides an opportunity for young people to develop their leadership skills and learn how to develop their community while creating lasting friendships and having a lot of fun.

The programs run for seven days and take place at the Goldeye Centre located near Nordegg, Alberta. This beautiful remote setting provides the perfect environment for youth to build friendships, discover their hidden talents, learn new skills and truly enjoy themselves.

The transformations that the youth experience that go through this program is nothing short of amazing. Many come into camp as quiet introverts, and in seven short days leave camp as confident, level-headed extroverts. It never fails to blow my mind.

It’s not uncommon for parents to call the ACCA office when their children return home and say “What did you do to my child? This is NOT the same child I put on the bus a week ago!”

I have seen kids come to the camp that are from the same school, one being the bully, the other being the one picked on, and by the end of the week, they are friends. Last year, one participant publicly apologized to another for picking on him for many years and vowed to stick up for him when they got back to school in the fall.

How cool is that!?

I could go on and on as I’m a huge advocate of the program and how it helps youth to break down their personal barriers, step out of the box, and build dynamic skill sets that will support them throughout the rest of their life.

I strongly encourage any parent interested in paving a road of success for their child to consider sending them through this program. Sponsorships are available. Contact the ACCA Office for more information.