On June 2, 2009, students at the Gray Academy of Jewish Education presented cheques to six local charitable organizations that they chose to receive grants through the Youth in Philanthropy program.

The Youth in Philanthropy program is funded by an annual $3,000 grant from the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba - $500 is used for administration and $2,500 is allocated by the students to not-for-profit organizations in the city of Winnipeg. 

The program is comprised of grade 10 students in the Gemilut Chasadim class at the Gray Academy of Jewish Education. This group of approximately 35 students is divided into smaller groups that must each choose an area of interest on which to focus. They select from a wide variety of causes such as animal welfare, women’s issues, healthcare, etc. Each group chooses several organizations within their specific cause and arranges site visits. Subsequent classes are then dedicated to reviewing each site visit and deciding how to allocate the grant funds.

“The Youth in Philanthropy program allows the students to broaden their knowledge about their city, organizations and the plight of many people outside of their community,” says Lawrence Goldstine, Gemilut Chasadim teacher at the Gray Academy.

This year’s Youth in Philanthropy program proudly allocated funds to the following organizations:

Kidsport - $200 to help kids fund their sporting activities.

Klinic Community Health Centre - $500 for a TV and cable box for the waiting room or medical supplies for Teen Talk peer mentors’ lockers.

Graffiti Art Programming Centre - $500 for supplies and art shows.

Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada - $50 for digitalizing their collection so it can be accessed over the internet.

Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter - $750 to pay veterinary bills.

Rossbrook House - $500 for whatever the organization deems most important.

The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba congratulates the students of Gray Academy for a thorough process and for making wise, informed philanthropic decisions.