Shelter Residents Give Back through Random Acts of Kindness

A reflection by Shelter Key Worker Cheryl Sobie

At Phoenix we recognize the importance of engaging with youth in a way that opens up possibilities of creating a better future, not only for themselves, but for the world around them.

As staff at Phoenix Youth Programs we are grateful for the support of the community and believe that a little kindness goes a long way. Over the spring, summer, and fall at Phoenix Youth Shelter, we have participated in what we call ‘random acts of kindness’ where staff along with youth initiate and carry out a good deed to give back to our community and with the goal of spreading kindness around. With so much negativity in the world, we have focused on creating hope and sharing love and peace with the community.

In the spring we had a community clean up where Phoenix shelter staff, volunteers from Starbucks, and youth participated together to clean up the shelter yard and the surrounding community. In total 15 people participated for 4 hours and together we did an amazing job cleaning up the neighbourhood! Over the summer we held three random acts of kindness events at the shelter including a community BBQ, a cookie giveaway, and most recently this fall we had a cider and treat give away. The community BBQ was a huge success. We gave away 200 hotdogs and pop to people passing by on Tower Road and it was well received by the community.

In June we held another random act of kindness event where we passed out chocolate chip cookies in the neighbourhood around the shelter one evening. People on the street were surprised to be receiving “free cookies” but were very grateful. One person loved what we did and gave a $100 donation to Phoenix! Our most recent cider and cookie giveaway which took place in October was also a success. Staff and youth had a great time sharing food with the community and the people who we met on the street were grateful for the wonderful fall treat!