Kindness Towards Kids in Care at Horizon High School
by Dan Mullins
The leadership group at Horizon High School under the direction of teacher Louise Pion, and in collaboration with Batshaw Youth and Family Services, decided to make a change this year.
For three years, Pion and her class have been supplying care packages to West Island charities, even distributing them by hand to people in need on the streets of Montreal before the pandemic made that impossible. (You can read about the project in last December’s issue here.)
This year, the students wanted to focus on younger children. So, they decided to provide gifts for the holidays to 14 children, ages 6-12, that are in care. The idea came from the students, some of whom have had experience with similar living situations. Batshaw was able to provide the profiles of 14 children, including their situation, there likes, needs, personalities – but not their names, due to privacy concerns.
The students held a bake sale and collected donations. The five students in the leadership class each picked 2 children, while Ms. Pion and other staff at Horizon handled the remainder. Carefully considering the children’s profiles, they individually made their way to stores alone or in groups, and bought items to be delivered for the holidays.
We are planning a follow-up story on this group of Horizon students and their involvement with students in care, so keep your eyes peeled over the coming issues of the Pearson News.
