Sometimes, the most meaningful change begins with young minds choosing kindness.
Students at St. Gregory, guided by teacher Susan Goselin, recently took part in the OCSB Social Entrepreneurs Program (SEP), an experience that invited them to learn through purpose, empathy, and action. In a year when our Spiritual Theme calls us to Build Bridges, this work did exactly that by connecting students to their community in ways that were thoughtful, respectful, and deeply human.
Through SEP, students explore social issues, partner with community organizations, and build student-led social enterprises rooted in compassion and responsibility. It is Deep Learning that goes far beyond the classroom, where curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving come together to make a real difference.
As part of their learning, the class created and launched a marketing campaign featuring candles supplied by the Skills Council of Canada, sourced from WeCandle, an organization that employs adults with developmental disabilities and learning needs. From planning and promotion to values-based decision-making, students led the work with care and intention, learning how their choices can open doors and create opportunities for others.
When it came time to decide where the funds should go, the class chose to support a local organization, selecting Silver Spring Studio, a place where adults are supported, celebrated, and empowered to thrive. Their efforts raised over $1,000, a powerful reminder of what can happen when young people are trusted to think critically, act with empathy, and lead with heart.
In these photos, four students represent their entire classroom as they tour Silver Spring Studio, seeing firsthand how their donation will be used to support the adults who create, connect, and flourish there. It was a moment of reflection, pride, and connection, the kind of bridge-building that stays with you long after the visit ends.
Through the OCSB Social Entrepreneurs Program, students are discovering that they are more than learners. They are collaborators, problem-solvers, and changemakers, capable of building a world that is more inclusive, more beautiful, and more kind.
