Teacher candidates from the Faculty of Education distributed more than 200 bags of fresh produce donated by the Unemployed Help Centre at the Togetherness Initiative (PROVIDED BY G. PIZZUTO SERRA/University of Windsor)
By Kate Hargreaves
Over 100 families attended this year’s Togetherness Initiative, an annual event organized by teacher candidates in the Faculty of Education.
As part of the service-learning course Vulnerability, Marginalization and Education (VME), BEd students planned and implemented the event at Frank W. Begley Public School in Windsor, offering activities and supports for local families facing economic and social barriers.
“The initiative is designed to connect theory with practice by engaging students in meaningful community partnership and social responsibility work,” explains Dr. Gelsea Pizzuto Serra, VME course instructor.
Throughout the academic year, BEd students work with partners from United Way and Begley to fundraise and organize the event, culminating Feb. 2 with a gathering in the school gym.
This year, local families shared in kids’ activities, food demonstrations and more and were able to take home fresh produce, health information, personal care items, clothing and books.
“Participating in the Togetherness Initiative highlighted the power of community building,” says Debra Irabor, one the BEd students in the course.
“Through helping others and showing support, I deepened my understanding of how meaningful community engagement shapes me as a teacher candidate and reinforces the importance of compassion, inclusion and support in education.”
For more information on service learning, visit the Faculty of Education website.