Local Projects

My name is Madyn and I was fortunate enough to get to participate in RYLA junior week this past summer. RYLA is one of the best things to happen to me. The whole experience was phenomenal from start to finish and I loved every single second of it. I'm so excited to tell you all about it.

 

To start off I want to tell you all how I discovered and applied for RYLA. Since I was a kid I’ve always been interested in ways that I could make a difference. Whether it was participating in our environment club at school so that I could protest for change or starting a GSA to create a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone. It wasn’t until I had a conversation about Rotary Exchanges with my auntie Heather that I discovered a place where I could truly make a bigger difference. After that conversation I did some research and came into contact with Nancy who has been such an amazing help throughout the whole process of getting into RYLA. Nancy told me about this 6 day camp during the summer that I instantly had my hopes set on. Once registration opened I worked with my mom and dad to summit an application that I was truly proud of. When I found out that I had been accepted I was beyond excited. The whole concept of RYLA seemed amazing. I was looking for people who were like me. They wanted to be leaders and were excited to learn about all the things I was wanting to learn about. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have not only attended the best camp ever but to also get to share my favorite parts with all of you.​

 

During RYLA I truly felt my happiest and the most comfortable about who I am as a person. It felt as though the whole outside world just floated away and all that was important was having fun with the people around me. On the first day we were all strangers but by the end of it all I made some truly amazing connections with so many different people. RYLA was my first sleep away camp and I was definitely a bit nervous to go because I was worried about being crazy home sick. I now am homesick of RYLA because of how truly incredible everything and everyone was.​

 

Some of my favorite RYLA memories are :​

-All of the team activities but especially the midnight challenge (when they woke us up at 2 in the morning and we had to solve a series of riddles as well as a logic puzzle to help save Adam and/or Steve -the two stuffed whales- who had been tied up in the bathroom) as well as the Amazing Race. For those of you who don’t know the Amazing Race is the final team event on Friday night. It is a big race that challenges you mentally and physically but also challenges you as team. You needed to untie a sponge that you ended up taking turns using to fill a bucket up with water. Your team had to portage a canoe that two of your teammates had already canoed in. You climbed up a large wall and my favorite part when you created a human ladder where one of your teammates walked across sticks that where suspended between two other peoples hips. I loved all of the team activities because they taught me how to work well as a team with people I had only met a couple of days ago. It also taught me how to play to not my but also other peoples strengths. As a team we were able to realize that if we worked together and combine our strengths we could be more successful. Doing so was definitely helpful in winning second place for the amazing race. ​

 

-I loved all the campfires and the stories that got told around them. The evening we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows in between games of volleyball. And lastly, the final campfire where we went around and thanked everyone who had made camp extra special before throwing a handful of flour into the fire. When you would throw the flour into the fire it would instantly spark up and grow bigger.​ Alway earning a round of oohh's and ahh’s from everybody.

 

-Our pictures on the walls of the rec hall that people would hang up notes or compliments that had written. Those Shineys as we called them where one of my favorite part of camp. Each time I got a new one I would feel so happy and like I was loved by somebody I just met. I still will take out all my Shineys and read them because it always makes me feel happy and will instantly bring up my mood.​

 

-I loved making the music video because it was something that brought me out of my comfort zone. It made me act and dance in a way that I’d never done before and probably never would have. My dad works for CBC so I will often get to see the editing part of making a video, but I’d never seen the shooting part of the process and doing so definitely peaked my interest. I would say that creating a music video encouraged me to sign up for the Radio and Media class that my school offers and I wouldn't have normally decided to do that. In my music video we also were very silly and I loved getting to let loose and just have fun.​

-RYLA offered smudgings every single morning just before breakfast and I loved the sense of peace and tranquility I would always get afterward. It felt like a nice way to connect to a tradition that isn’t my own and to show resect for the land and the bodies we were lucky enough to have.​

-At RYLA we also did a thing called sharing circle. We were given a topic that we were encouraged to share about. Some of the topics we had were, who are or is you comfort person or people and what was an obstacle you have overcome and how did you overcome it. I loved doing these sharing circles because they made me feel vulnerable. I was sharing stuff I don’t share with just everybody to people I had just met a couple days before. It was something that we were all able to truly connect over because it was us in all our glory.​

 

-I loved all the different ways that they made supper fun and interesting. Tuesday they connected our arms together with rubber bands and when we went to get seconds they would flip over our table and benches. What I’m sure the councilors didn’t expect was that once they did it one time we all came together and would sit on other peoples benches so that they didn’t get turned over. I loved that in a situation that normally would be everybody for themselves we all banded together and chose teamwork. Thursday was RYlike you night where you were partnered up with somebody and by the end of the night you were friends. I loved how it forced me out of my comfort zone to connect with somebody I probably wouldn’t have before. Through that night I made a friend that I’ve been lucky enough to stay in touch with. Friday we had spaghetti and pudding with no utensils. I loved watching everybody’s different strategies and how some people simply used their hands.

 

-I loved learning about all sorts of different Rotary programs that I can participate in. As well as learning about the shelter box program and how we can help to fundraise for that. I am really excited to stay involved within the rotary community and loved getting to learn about things I can do now as well as things I can do in the future.​

 

-I loved the talent show because it was another thing that forced me outside of my comfort zone. I always struggle with performing and presenting because I worry it won’t be good enough. Playing the guitar for the talent show had always been my plan but I loved that I was able to do a duet. It was calming to have somebody else by my side and to know that if I made a mistake not all of the attention would be on me. The talent show was really nice because I now feel more confident playing in front of other people.​

 

-The dance was so much fun because it was a chance to truly let loose and have fun. We spent at least a full hour just dancing and singing-along to so many different songs. It was so much fun and I will never be nervous or shy to dance ever again.​

 

-I loved that we had plenty of free time. It let us be social and it made me feel like we were treated as equals and not as little kids. I often spent my free time swimming in the gorgeous lake, playing rounds of volleyball, and hanging out with so many different groups of people.​

 

-Because the theme for rotary this year is to create hope in the world, at RYLA we made hope projects. A hope project is how we can create hope in our school, community, town, province, country and even globally. I loved doing these hope projects because I learnt so many new ways to be a leader and I’m very excited to start implementing what I learned.​

 

-I loved watching the sunrise on the very last day. It felt so special to have watched such a beautiful sight with such a beautiful group of people.​

 

-I loved that we all got a shirt that everybody signed and a bracelet that I only ever take off to sleep. Having both of these reminds me off such an amazing place and every time I look  down at my wrist I always smile. These things give me hope and inspire me to continue to give hope to others.​

 

Post RYLA I am so excited to implement some of the Hope projects we created at camp into my school and my community. The project that I’m the most excited to implement at my school through our GSA is something we called the kindness campaign. As I said before, writing and receiving shineys was one of my favorite parts of camp because the feeling of joy I got from reading them was one that I will never forget. I want to share that feeling with all of my peers and teachers. I also want to implement a unique type of fundraiser called the Wheel of fortune community fundraiser. Each student would choose a charity they would want to fundraise for. Once you have all the charity’s you put them into a big wheel and once a month you would hold a big event to spin the wheel to determine where all the money you’ve fundraised is going to end up. If a school had 350 students and staff and everybody donated just one dollar a month you would already have 350$ for each charity you ended up donating to. I love this idea because the charity that I pick will be special to me and the charity that my teacher picks will be special to her. Through this fundraiser I’ll get to learn all about these different charities and how they are special and important to whoever chose them. Besides implementing those hope projects into my school I plan on continuing to participate in as many after school extra curriculers as possible and find ways to get involved within my community, city, and province.

 

RYLA is such a unique camp because it focuses on not only making you a better person but also making you feel like you are the best you possible. I had so much fun learning not only more about being a leader but also more about myself. Thank you so much for making it possible for me even to attend such an amazing camp. I loved every single second of it and hope I can go back again next year. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you ever need a volunteer or any help what so ever. Thank you.

 

Hello my name is Jarius. Hello my name is Alaura. We are part of Teen Stop Rotary Club.

 

Both of us live in the Marlene Development in St. Vital and go to Lavallee School.

 

Jarius – I started to come to Teen Stop 3 years ago. I joined the Rotary Leadership Circle this year because I wanted a way to spend my summer and not be stuck at home.

 

Alaura – I joined Teen start in 2021.

 

Before Rotary started we helped out a lot around the Centre with cleaning, washing dishes, sorting food, taking out the recycling and cooking.

 

This year Rotary has been a fun way to get out of our Drop in Centre and into the community.

 

At Manitoba Harvest we scratched Bar Codes off of baby food and packaged them up again. After we played a game where we had to stack miniature chairs and ladders to see which team had the tallest structure. Alaura’s team won. Seeing all of the positions at Harvest got me(Alaura) thinking about how I could use my experience for future employment.

 

We did a Fundraiser selling Tacos in a bag and lemonade. Jarius handled the money, cook, took orders and made signs to post around the neighbourhood. Being responsible for so many jobs was a great way for me to be a leader.

 

Through YAA we got to participate in Computers for Schools Manitoba. We each got to build our own computers and will get to take them home with us later this summer. This was the first time we really got to interact with youth from around the city. It gave me pride in our community seeing that so many other youth are participating in the same experience as I am.

 

We are grateful to be in Rotary because it is like having a job – we have to be here on time and clock in.

 

Rotary has taught me accountability. The opportunity to earn money has helped to motivate us on harder days. This has also given us the chance to learn about some money management skills.

 

Rotary teaches us that hard work pays off.

 

 

Budget: Our new Treasurer is still learning the ropes so was not able to provide specific numbers but our committee is on a sound financial footing mainly because, unfortunately, our work with our partner communities was interrupted by 2 years of COVID.  This has been enhanced by the generosity of fellow Rotarians and allies.  Our initial funding was obtained from a 3-year grant of $15,000 per year from the Lount Family Foundation.  We have a long-standing relationship with this Foundation which, in previous years, provided us with funding for summer programs for indigenous and immigrant students as well as for “Breaking Barriers Building Bridges” through we brought together indigenous and non-indigenous high school students under the tutelage of Elders in indigenous venues like Thunderbird House.

After receiving our 2021-22 report on the activities of our committee, the Foundation Board approved a new 3-year grant in the amount of $25,000 a year. In appreciation of their generosity we decided to support the Children’s Theatre’s nomination of this Foundation for the 2022 Trust-Based Philanthropy Award. They were selected as the winner of the award.  Past President Nancy Cosway and I attended the Awards luncheon to celebrate with them.

 

One of our earliest pre-COVID initiatives was to assist the community of St Theresa Point with a wide range of activities to keep the children and youth happily engaged over the summer months.  This initiative was extremely successful and we have continued to support such efforts in several of our partner communities.  As an example, last summer we received a request from Tadoule Lake for 2 canoes to be used in their programs to educate the youth about their Seal River Watershed Initiative. We provided 2 canoes at a cost of $2500 each plus a further $5000 for transportation by air.  Another of our partner communities has requested canoes to be used in their land-based programs next summer. Fellow Rotarian and committee member Larry Vickar has kindly offered to pay for these canoes which will be transported to the community by winter road in the new year.

 

Several of our partner communities are struggling with issues of youth suicide. Last year, we worked with Split Lake to help provide necessities which they believed would help to keep the youth happily engaged rather than being isolated.  Currently, two of our other partner communities are encountering similar challenges.  We plan to have meetings with indigenous advisors to learn about how we might be supportive.

 

In the fall, three of our partner communities requested winter clothing.  We engaged with a large number of schools as well as the wider community.  Between them and our club members we were able to collect enough clothing for all three communities.  The items in greatest demand and the most difficult to obtain were winter coats and boots.  We purchased a large quantity of these items to fill this need. Thanks to committee member John Melnick for his tremendous assistance in in getting this task done.  Thanks, also, to committee member Jean Oliver and RC Selkirk as well as Lord Selkirk School Division.  Jean also got us a very large collection of books which will eventually end up in one of our partner communities.

 

We have just been asked for skates by our friends in Shamattawa so that they can keep the children and youth happily occupied over the long winter months. We are in the process of responding to this request.  The skates will be cleaned, relaced where necessary, and sharpened before being shipped.  As these items are in great demand we will continue to collect as much as we can.  Jeff Newman has very kindly offered to help us make connections with community organizations who could be potential donors.  (Note: At the time of writing the shipment is on its way to Shamattawa and we are collecting for another of our partner communities who are facing challenges with depression among their youth.)

 

We continue to reach out to others who may be interested in joining us in our reconciliation efforts.  The cost of shipping winter clothing to three communities was in excess of $3000.  I reached out to one of our partner organizations in Ontario and they happily covered this cost! We are currently working with one of our friends in the business community to see how they might become involved in becoming a partner in our efforts.  His company is on board and we are connecting them with one of our partner communities who have requested toys for Christmas for the pre-school children.

(Note : Prior to Christmas, 3 employees of the company accompanied folks from the community on a shopping expedition at Toys R Us.  They purchased and paid for a large collection of toys which will be distributed to the children prior to Christmas.)

 

- Strini Reddy