Make your Mark - United Way Alberta Capital Region

Make your Mark

“Dentons is pleased to support United Way of the Alberta Capital Region as we work towards ending poverty in Edmonton. This educational initiative is designed to not only teach our children the significance of giving back, but also empower, inspire, and encourage the next generation of philanthropic leaders in our community. Helping those less fortunate is an important lesson for a student’s development, and for the betterment of society as a whole.” — Fausto Franceschi, Managing Partner, Dentons Canada in Edmonton

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You’re Never Too Young to Make a Big Difference

Presented by Dentons, Make your Mark is a community-based leadership development program that educates students (grades K-12) on poverty, the role of nonprofits, and students’ agency as leaders. United Way provides guidance and funding up to $1,000 to develop and execute student-led initiatives against poverty in the greater Edmonton community.

Make your Mark features programming and resources to support teachers and students in developing their project, including:

  • Virtual kickoff event
  • New learning management system
  • Digital workbooks
  • Optional project guidance and support from United Way

What Teachers are Saying

“Thank you for this wonderful program. It was the highlight of the year for my students. I got great feedback from their families as well.”
– Tina Yonge

“… it has been such an amazing opportunity/project for our students, and, due to their passion and thoughtful ideas, has turned into a much bigger project than we originally envisioned.” – Vanessa Mcleod

“I have seen more change in my students through this project than I could have imagined.” – Croia Taylor

Past Projects

M.E. LaZerte School: Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club involves students and community volunteers who cook breakfasts for students and staff. This project allows students to learn basic cooking and cleaning skills, as well as interact with members of the community. This club is a safe, non-judgmental place to enjoy a meal.

ESSMY: Picturing the Faces of Poverty

Students at École Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d'Youville produced a documentary that helps to answer the question of what poverty looks like in St. Albert. They also held a number of fundraisers, culminating in $2,600 raised for the St. Albert Food Bank, GIANNA Centre and Youth Empowerment, and Support Services.

Keenooshayo School: Create a Ripple: Literacy for All

Students researched the complexities of poverty, including the role literacy plays in poverty. Students then purchased books, assembled literacy packages, and then delivered them to a school in need. This helped students to appreciate how significant the challenge poverty is, and that collectively we all have a responsibility to work towards a solution.

Presenting Sponsor

Collaborating to grow student leaders

This program would not be possible without the ongoing support of local businesses committed to making an impact in our community. Interested in supporting?

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Apply

Applications for the 2022/23 school year have closed and applications for the 2023/24 school year will open in Spring 2023.