Category: Kindness Foundation of Canada News

As a graduating student from Prince of Wales Class of 2019, Eric has demonstrated that that he can balance his academic schedules with his active involvement in community activities. Making the Principal's List annually, Eric is a dedicated student with a heart for others. He contributes to the community by looking for ways to bring happiness and kindness to others. He is a Youth Leader at the Kerrisdale Community Centre where he helps solve technology issues for seniors, hosts information session on sustainable living, and plans family bonding events. He is the Vancouver District Student Council Representative for Prince of Wales, meeting school officials and helping to voice student concerns. He is also a community service student, whose job is to help look after the school's Therapy Dog and source…

Stephanie is a high school senior from Eric Hamber Hamber Secondary in Vancouver. Growing up surrounded by the kindness of others, Stephanie believes we all have the capacity and responsibility to be kind, and that kindness will always carry beyond a simple action. In grade 11, Stephanie started the Sprout-Save-Share initiative, an organization that engages youth in projects focused on minimizing waste, such as collecting end-of-day produce to donate and encouraging others to be more aware of their plastic use. She is also involved in many clubs at her school such as the Compassion Club, where she organizes fundraisers and plans events that provide volunteer opportunities to students. Outside of academics, Stephanie volunteers at her local science center and children's hospital, speaks her voice on multiple youth councils, and worked…

Life is not about making an income, but about making an impact. As one of the many passionate community members from Windermere Secondary School in Vancouver, Christal has learnt that "kindness" is not simply a word, but an act of friendship. She is beyond thankful for the opportunities she's had to transform her passion for giving into true impact. Through serving and leading neighbourhood initiatives, she's learnt how although one action may not change the world, it still has the potential to change the world for one person. Thus, Christal has harboured this concept in the volunteer work she has contributed. At age 13, Christal began to credit the Tzu Chi Foundation for teaching her the values of compassion and love for others. As she distributed parcels with her dad…

We are pleased to introduce you to the winner of Kindness Foundation’s 2017 Della Paul Memorial Scholarship Emily Shibata! Throughout her high school experience, Emily has been an active member of her school and larger community. For over five years, she was a leader at the Haven Institute’s highly acclaimed child development program, which focuses on increasing self-awareness, social understanding, cooperation and empathy through a variety of activities and discussion. Emily was also a volunteer teacher at Telacoya Marisol Japanese preschool, where she taught Japanese for six summers. Furthermore, Emily is passionate about medical science. She has dedicated over 400 hours to cancer research as a volunteer research assistant at the BC Cancer Research Centre’s Integrative Oncology Imaging Unit. Emily was also a member of a weekly work party that…

We are pleased to introduce you to the winner of 2017 Nadine Marshall Scholarship, Ilsa Weinstein-Wright! Ilsa Weinstein-Wright’s longtime commitment to positive change and the promotion of kindness can be recognized in all aspects of her life. Over the past couple of years, Ilsa has completed an extensive amount of volunteer work. For instance, from 2015-2016, she was a dedicated volunteer with Covenant House Vancouver as a part of their Thank-a-Thon program. As a student at Magee Secondary School in Vancouver, BC, Ilsa has never shied away from an opportunity to get involved and be a leader within her school. In Spring 2016, Ilsa took part in a volunteer trip to Nicaragua with her school’s Global Connections Club. Leading up to the trip she assisted in hosting various events, such…

We are pleased to introduce you to the winner of 2016 Nadine Marshall Scholarship, Karmen Leong! As an aspiring teacher, Karmen strives to inspire and be inspired through new challenges and experiences to turn ideas into movements of change. At Eric Hamber Secondary School, she was privileged to have many opportunities to grow to become an impactful leader of the community. These positions included Co-Editor In Chief of the school yearbook, Editor In Chief of the school newspaper and an executive member of Service Club, Web Team and Kids Help Phone Club. In her grade 12 year, she was also selected as 1 of 18 peer counsellors to guide and provide emotional and educational care to her fellow students while implementing a safe environment for all to thrive. With the…

We are pleased to introduce you to the winner of Kindness Foundation's first Della Paul Memorial Scholarship Alexander Tom! As a student at Prince of Wales Secondary School, Alexander was a diligent student who faced various learning challenges. Through his perseverance and hard work, he was able to achieve his personal academic goals. His contributions to the community involved volunteer work with various charities and foundations such as the Great Canadian Shoreline cleanup of the beaches in Vancouver because of his love for ocean life; fundraising for Promise for Tomorrow, a charity supporting AIDS-impacted orphans of China; and being a member of the Visionary 21 club at Prince of Wales Secondary promoting the Visionary 21 Foundation of Canada to raise funds and awareness for Down Syndrome research and education. At his…

This scholarship has been established to honour the initiative, commitment, enthusiasm and example of Nadine Marshall, co-founder of The KindActs Association of B.C., recently renamed The Kindness Foundation of Canada. Nadine’s unwavering belief in the power of kindness as an agent for positive change in our world has sustained her and allowed her ideas to develop into programs and KindActs to grow and evolve. Most importantly this belief, embodied in her daily walk through life, is a powerful example, and source of motivation for all that have had the pleasure to know her. Note: This scholarship is currently only available to students graduating from a Vancouver School Board Secondary School. Criteria for the Scholarship: The intention of this fund is to recognize exceptional high school graduating students, inspired by the…

This scholarship has been established to honour Della Paul’s belief in the power of kindness. Della worked for many years with handicapped students as a Teacher’s Aide. She thought that kindness was one of the most important attributes a person could have. Kindness makes the day better for most people but for some, it simply makes the day tolerable. A kind act has value for both the recipient and the giver and its true effect may never truly be known. For some a simple kindness extended may be a game changer or a life saver. Kindness is essential for us to thrive and find our place in life. It is our hope that the recipient of this scholarship will be encouraged to continue and grow their personal commitment to kindness.…

Bio: Sophia Sabatino As a student at Magee Secondary, Sophia was very active in the school community. In grade 8 and 9, Sophia was a member of the Magee leadership program. This program focused on community service while maintaining high academic standings. Following that, Sophia was a part of the Evolution Choir and was a founding member of the Best Buddies Club at the school. Her involvement with the Best Buddies Club continued into grade 11 and 12 as Sophia worked closely with students in the Learning Assistance/ Life Skills class on a daily basis and was their drama coach throughout the year. This involved assisting these students develop and practice appropriate social skills and behaviour both in the classroom, school community, and beyond. Sophia was also selected to be…