Media releases July 8. Photos contributed by United Way Perth-Huron.

Stratford, ON — United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH)’s work engages people across Perth-Huron, tackling pressing local issues affecting the communities where they live. As part of this mission, the organization is building the next generation of engaged residents through the Youth in Action grants (YIA) program; providing opportunities for youth to come up with creative solutions to challenges facing people their own age and develop skills that can transfer to other areas of life.

“Every year, we’re excited to see the amazing ways local youth come up with to address issues in their communities across Perth-Huron,” said UWPH Director of Governance and Community Impact Megan Partridge. “We can see that this past year’s grant recipients inspire other young people to think of ways to help in their communities.”

“When you’re like a 17-year-old trying to start something, it can be really hard without funding,” said Amelia Morrison, part of the Tanner Steffler Foundation’s Youth Space project. “Having the opportunity to receive funding as a youth for a project you created is amazing. Then that initiative can grow into something bigger.”

“This space has had a great impact on our Grade 7 and 8 students,” said Ella Williamson, one of the youth leads for the You Are Not Alone project at Goderich District Collegiate Institute. “The room allows positive energy to be shared between students and staff and help them reflect on what they are grateful for each and everyday.”

“This project will hopefully continue for many years to come,” said Lucy Chung, one of the youth leads for the Urban Farm project at Stratford District Secondary School. “We would like to see this project involve more students and even more community members and seniors from surrounding neighbourhoods to foster intergenerational connections and teach more people about sustainable and regenerative farming practices.”

This past year’s funded projects included:

Bedford Intermediate Youth Project (Nancy Campbell Academy):
Students partnered with Stratford District Secondary School students to provide a blended tutoring and recreation program for elementary students.

Building Community Wellness (Listowel District Secondary School):

Students will host a speaker to discuss mental health and wellbeing and to build a sense of community.

“The school has not had a guest speaker since before COVID,” said LDSS student organizer, Addie Perry. “Seeing the student body actually engaged in something important, together in one space, was meaningful.”

Equitable Living Project (Central Huron Secondary School):
The youth lead ran a Christmas-time food and essential item drive at Central Huron Secondary School, partnered with a local food program to provide essential supplies to residents in need, and presented information on homelessness and local programs to classmates.

Generation Rainbow Collective (Stratford Pride Community Centre):
2SLGBTQ+ youth led a series of eight weekly social activities to strengthen their community and support each other.

Microscope Lending Program (Huron County Library):
A homeschooled student acquired microscopes for the Huron County Library catalogue and ran small classes on how to use them reaching over 120 youth.

“The first class was the most challenging,” said Sam Robinson. “We had around 30 kids, and we learned from that how to keep engaging the kids for the full hour. We added more fun free exploration with more specimens to look at.” –

Motivational Mondays (St. Marys DCVI):
Students brought in a mindfulness teacher to teach two classes about practical strategies to aid anxiety.

New and Improved Picnic Tables (Stratford District Secondary School):
Students collaborated across classes to build and decorate a new picnic table for the school grounds.

Students Helping Students (Stratford District Secondary School):
Students created an in-school food station stocked with a variety of lunch food items to supplement and/or provide lunch for students facing food insecurities. The youth lead created a report to document the needs discovered.

The Kindness Project (South Huron District High School):
Students planned activities to spread “kindness” in their community, such as hosting a concert for nursing home residents, working with Exeter Elementary School students to spread rocks painted with positive messages around town, and appreciation events for school staff.

“Being a youth leader taught me teamwork, kindness, and staying flexible,” said Bria McCann. “I learned that small acts of kindness can make a big difference, and good leadership means setting a good example and inspiring others.”

Urban Farming Project (Stratford District Secondary School):
Students partnered with the Local Community Food Centre to create an urban farm. Students and community members worked together to build intergenerational connections and learn regenerative farming practices.

“This project will hopefully continue for many years to come,” said Lucy Chung. “We would like to see this project involve more students and even more community members and seniors from surrounding neighbourhoods to foster intergenerational connections and teach more people about sustainable and regenerative farming practices.”

You Are Not Alone (Goderich District Collegiate Institute):
Grade 12 students started a mental health awareness group at the school and created a dedicated wellness space for Grade 7-8 students with contributions from the art class.

“This space has had a great impact on our grade 7-8 students,” said Ella Williamson. “The room allows positive energy to be shared between students and staff and help them reflect on what they are grateful for each and every day.”

Youth Space (Tanner Steffler Foundation):
Youth volunteers installed a hygiene pantry for youth participants in their new space.

“From joining the Youth Advisory Council to making a plan and applying to receiving the grant, it has been a really positive experience,” said Amelia Morrison. “I’ve learned that there are a lot of people my age who feel sad, lost — and I have the opportunity to do something about it.”

The 12 grant recipients each received up to $1,000 for their projects. YIA grants were available to youth aged 14–25 to plan and implement projects addressing youth concerns in their community.

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