CANU CANADA

CanU provides out-of-school experiences to approximately 600 youth (Grades 5-12) and university student volunteers in partnership with a variety of post-secondary institutions faculties and departments (such as education agriculture and food sciences health sciences law science engineering art and architecture) as mentors and leaders. CanU provides volunteer leadership opportunities to over 800 university students annually. Many of our high school participants assume the role of junior mentors and leaders in the out-of-school experiences for the Grade 5 & 6 students. Summer leadership experiences are available for junior high and high school students. Culinary Arts/Food Clubs are offered in the community. Continuing partnerships include: the holiday hamper collection and delivery with UofM Bisons Sports; Wise Kid-Netic Energy; and tutoring with United for Literacy. Industry level partnerships are emerging with organizations such as Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Tech MB RBC The Story Source Community of Big Hearts Cogmation Robotics Code Ninjas Variety Manitoba Fit Kids Healthy Kids Higher Learning Foundation and more. A family of post-secondary scholarships are available to CanU participants and university volunteers and are held in trust until needed by The Winnipeg Foundation. These scholarships include participation in the elite STEM summer programs delivered by Shad Canada. The B History Scholarships sponsored by local business partner Zueike and the Dr. Joan Swain Student Awards for students studying the Health Sciences and Classics. The CanU Stories of Strength (CSS) empowers students (Grades 5-12) by providing a platform for self-expression through storytelling. CSS incorporates a variety of interactive activities designed to facilitate storytelling. CSS has been embedded in all programming areas encouraging participants to explore and share their narratives in a supportive environment. CSS also includes a speaker series involving local leaders who with humble beginnings have turned their adversities into opportunities and have become leaders and community- minded citizens in a variety of industries and career paths. CanU is a connector between youth with great potential and endless opportunities for growth personally academically and in leadership and service. CanU works with dozens of partners to support the next generation of leaders and positive change agents in Canada – CanU is the University of Can!

CanU is constantly evolving and adapting to the context in which we serve and the partners that seek to serve with us. New programs for 2025 include expanding our Ambassador and Alumni leadership program and re-envisioning a green house and gardening program around food security and sustainability. We are providing workshops for our Grade 11 and 12s to prepare them for life after high-school. These workshops include support for post-secondary admission and scholarship applications and resume writing and interview preparation. New partnerships include working with Indigenous Circle of Empowerment (ICE) Churchill MB Nutrition Program and CNIB. CanU will also continue to grow and develop The Stories of Strength in-school story-based project.