Somebody Makes a Difference

Nobody is Somebody program gets students volunteering in community

OSHAWA – Until recently, students in Richard Coulson’s Grade 11 class had no idea how much garbage was piling up around their school, or how many animals in need of love were waiting for new homes at the Durham Region Humane Society.

The Eastdale C.V.I. students are learning a lot about both causes this month, as part of a unique character building project called Nobody is Somebody.

It’s good for kids to become aware of what’s going on in the world outside their own lives— Richard Coulson, teacher

The program, created by Kelly Clark, a teacher in Toronto, encourages students to discover how their interests and talents can be used to help their community.

Mr. Coulson’s outdoor education class is the first group of high school students in Durham Region to take on the project, which is also offered at the elementary school level.

“It’s good for kids to become aware of what’s going on in the world outside their own lives, and to learn how they can help,” Mr. Coulson said.

Since his class started the program last month, they have picked up truckloads of garbage from around their school and in Lakeview Park, and walked dogs living at the Humane Society.

It’s rewarding, we feel like we’re making a difference— Blaire McDonald, grade 11 student

Students in the class also helped raise money to adopt four panda bears through the World Wildlife Federation, and are working with others at the school to plan an all-night Relay for Life cancer fundraiser on May 30.

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They use class time and their own time to contribute, and say that so far, the experience has been eye opening.

“When we were doing the garbage clean up, we picked up five bags in just half an hour, I couldn’t believe it,” said student Stephanie Harper.

“It’s rewarding, we feel like we’re making a difference,” added her classmate Blaire McDonald.

The class will continue working on Nobody is Somebody until the end of May, and Mr. Coulson plans to continue offering it to future students. For more information about Who Is NOBODY? visit: www.whoisnobody.com

This article was published in the This Week News on May 11, 2008