Discovering Choices Receives YMCA Peace Medal

We’re proud to announce that part of our Outreach program, the Discovering Choices Youth Council received the YMCA Peace Medal in the Youth Group category.
 
From the Calgary Board of Education website:
 
On February 12, the Discovering Choices Youth Council was presented with the YMCA Peace Medal in the Youth Group category. The group was honoured for their work in building peace in the community. The YMCA Peace Medal honours individuals or groups in their communities who, without any special resources, demonstrate in their lives and activities, the values of peace and understanding.
 
Discovering Choices Youth Council presented with YMCA Peace Medal
As peace builders, the youth council has been successful in creating a positive culture of giving back. Over the last year, they have been involved in numerous meaningful projects and fundraisers, which have significantly impacted their school and community. These projects have included facilitating school events, volunteering at the Calgary International Children’s Festival, making cards for seniors, arranging stockings for Inn from the Cold, raising funds for Teen Angel and for an all-girls school in Africa. Through these efforts, the youth council has brought youth together, generated peace, built stronger communities, and taught students to work together to make change because what they do matters.
 
The youth council began in 2009 when the Discovering Choices Outreach High School partnered with Youth Central to facilitate an opportunity for students to be empowered in their school and community. The council is a forum to build community awareness, enhance global citizenship, foster belonging, increase school engagement, and generate passion amongst students. It gives students a voice, and provides them an opportunity to help both their schools and community in a positive way. Youth Council has contributed over 4,500 youth volunteer hours in the community since 2009.