These Teens Are Making Little Boxes Of Canadian Love For Refugees

Welcome to Canada!

This group of students in Toronto could have chosen to start any kind of business — a product to sell or a service to provide. But they decided they'd rather lend a hand to the refugees now calling Canada home.

Compass

The group was taking part in the Junior Achievement program which pairs students with corporate mentors to teach entrepreneurial skills. The students had the option to start a for-profit company but they decided they'd rather do some good.

That's how they came up with Compass, a non-profit that distributes welcome boxes to newly-arrived refugees. They're packed with a blanket, warm gloves, maple candies, crayons, and a colouring book with English and Arabic phrases.

Compass

They also have a card welcoming them to their new home.

Compass

"Everyone’s so excited about this and just wants to be part of it," said Liat Fainman-Adelman, a grade 12 student and president of Compass.

Compass

With support from corporate sponsor Deloitte, the team of 35 students have made more has 250 care packages. They'll start distributing them to refugee families in Toronto this weekend.

Compass

Several other corporations have also pitched in money for the $20 boxes, and individuals can sponsor them on Compass' website.

Fainman-Adelman said non-profits are pretty well unheard of in Junior Achievement programs, but the projects often have a charitable aspect.

"That, to me, was always my favourite party and I know other students who’ve done it in the past, it was their favourite part as well," she said.

They've also partnered with Trinity Theatre to create educational workshops on refugees for Toronto schools.