WASAC focuses on leadership and mentorship skills for Aboriginal youth through sport and recreational programs.
I joined Kelvin High School’s YiP (Youth in Philanthropy) this year because I am interested in learning about different non-profit organizations and the amazing work they do in the community.
It has been a wonderful experience so far and the people in our group know so much about philanthropy and really care about impacting people’s lives by helping various groups in the best way possible.
On Mar. 11, our group divided into four smaller groups and visited more than ten organizations throughout the city.
The most inspiring site visit in my opinion was to the organization WASAC (Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre) which our YiP group decided to give a significant amount of our grant money to.
I enjoyed listening to how involved and committed the staff and volunteers were to the programs there. The people we talked to were incredibly welcoming and gave us dream catchers as a gift to remember the day.
Some of Kelvin High School’s YiP group (LtoR): Elyce Pereira, Kate Friesen, Abby Clarke, Danica Belton, Shelan Emre and Kate Doer from WASAC, who gifted each YiP visitor with a dream catcher.
This group was much different from other organizations we visited and this made a lasting impression on me.
I learned how WASAC organizes camps all year for elementary school children. There was also a vast list of opportunities for older youth to take part in that would allow them to become leaders in these programs in the future.
WASAC programs focus on bringing sports into the lives of young people.
WASAC also sends money up north to help pay for expensive food people are forced to buy because there are very few options when it comes to stores to shop in.
They also fund the purchase of sports equipment so that youth will have activities to keep active and to socialize.
Everyone agreed that WASAC was an incredibly important cause worthy of our support and something I believe people should become involved in.
WASAC programs engage youth on many different levels.
All photos courtesy of WASAC
