University of Windsor Alumni Magazine
Campus Highlights
Kayla Smith
Kayla Smith

Law Student Addresses Senate on Millennial Support for Charity

Second-year Windsor Law student Kayla Smith kicked off her summer break with an appearance before the Special Senate Committee for the Charitable Sector, to testify about her personal experiences and research on the subject. 

Smith, who volunteered as a writer and fundraising research assistant for Imagine Canada in 2017, conducted research on giving by millennials — people coming of age in the early 21st century — and shared her findings in an online blog that earned her an invitation to appear before the committee. 

The hour-long meeting contributed to the Senate Committee’s examination of federal and provincial policies governing charities, non-profit organizations, foundations, and the overall impact of the voluntary sector in Canada. 

“It’s important to me that young people today value the importance of giving back. The charitable sector is an invaluable engine, which I believe forms the backbone of any given community. Without the generous donations and support of volunteers, our societies would lack some essential services that are often taken for granted,” said Smith. 

“Our time, energy, expertise, innovation, and creative minds are resources that can be leveraged in the voluntary sector in unprecedented ways.”