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Success Story

“Three years ago, DYSL provided our school with funding for a small group of students to do something positive for the school. The students chose to invite speakers from M.A.D.D. to do a presentation about drinking and driving for a Grade 10 assembly. This presentation was well-received by students; indeed, many of my Grade 11 students who saw the assembly last year talking about how its powerful message still resonates with them and that seeing that presentation cemented their personal conviction that they will never drink and drive.

In the last three years, DYSL has continued to provide more funding to our school, specifically to our Leadership class, with the intent that they use the money to do something positive for youth at the school and/or in the community. Each year, my class has organized and executed a week-long awareness campaign in the school. The awareness campaigns have focused on providing education for and raising awareness about important teen issues such as depression, body image, bullying, anger, and stress. Our students organized several interactive activities that brought attention to these issues, and they provided appropriate information about resources, including DYSL, that offers support for those people dealing with any of these issues. As well, the class used the funds given to us to help the student body at DSS simply come together and have fun during a busy, stressful time of the school year. Planning and presenting a week-long awareness campaign was a tremendous learning experience for each of the classes. Indeed, this has been an ideal practical experience in which they have developed their existing leadership skills and learned new ones; the students were required to use organization, initiative, teamwork, and communication skills, among others. This successful leadership endeavour would not have been possible without the funding and the support we received from DYSL. When a group of our students presented their ideas to the DYSL board of directors, they came away with a sense of energy and excitement for the project. By the time these week-long campaigns were finished, many more students were familiar with DYSL and the resources they provide, and the leadership class was proud of their accomplishment. In their individual self-reflection about their projects, the students noted all of the lessons that the DYSL event taught them about leadership. Two students from my class are also on their Board of Directors as Honourary Youth Board members which both say they’ve gained so much experience from.

I believe that DYSL’s support of Delta students has helped them personally and educationally. I fully support DYSL and look forward to working with them.”

— Leadership Teacher in Delta