Students in the Community Social Work program at Portage College raised more than $7,500, collected 1,889 pounds of food and brought in 240 pounds of clothing donations this year to support local organizations in Lac La Biche and Cold Lake as a part of a continued tradition of community-based learning.
As part of their Community Development course, students plan and run community projects. What started as classroom ideas turned into meaningful initiatives. This year, they organized workshops, food drives, bake sales, and fundraising events focused on helping local communities.
Students at the Lac La Biche campus raised more than $4,300 towards the total. One group hosted a beaded earring class to support the Lac La Biche Regional Humane Society’s emergency veterinary fund and raised $1,000, bringing direct support to local animal care in the community. Another organized a Stuff a Bus food drive and bottle drive, collecting almost 500 pounds of food and $604.55 for the Canadian Native Friendship Centre’s Waskaysoo Food Bank, strengthening local food security. Students also led a birchbark and porcupine quill earring workshop to support cultural programming at the Beaver Lake Wah Pow Treatment Centre, raising $855, while also supporting the preservation of cultural learning opportunities. A group of students organized a bake sale and raised $2,000 for the Amisk Community School to support winter gear and field trips, while another donation drive raised $190 and collected clothing and food for the Community Adult Learning’s Men’s Shed program at Lac La Biche’s Community Learning Hub, supporting everyday needs and community wellness initiatives. Together, these initiatives reflected different ways students chose to respond to needs in their community.
In Cold Lake, students raised almost $3,000 through several student-driven projects. A chili and bannock fundraiser supported the Frog Lake First Nations Community Services,[ES1] raising $230, donations of food, and 240 pounds of clothing, contributing to both immediate needs and essential supplies. Another group ran taco-in-a-bag sales and raised $600 to help fund field trips for the Elizabeth Métis Settlement School, helping students access new learning opportunities. Students who organized bake sales supporting the Cold Lake Youth Council’s awards night raised $650. In another initiative, students also organized a suicide awareness walk for the Elk Point School, bringing together 30 participants, collecting $590, and raising awareness for mental health. A food drive for the Cold Lake Food Bank collected almost 1,400 pounds of food and raised $875 in donations, helping strengthen local food security for families in need
“It’s always amazing to see what students can do when they’re given the opportunity,” said Lyla Allan, the Community Social Work Program Coordinator. “They take ownership of these projects, and they genuinely care about the communities they are working with. You can see that in the results.”
These projects are a key part of the Community Social Work program, providing students with real-world experience while making a meaningful difference.