This Kindness Week, St. Jerome School is buzzing with something powerful: students turning compassion into action. A group of young entrepreneurs has launched the Kind Hearts Club through the OCSB Social Entrepreneurship Program. As they explored different business ideas and researched charitable organizations, one theme kept rising to the top: they wanted their work to matter.
They chose to support the Heart and Stroke Foundation, aligning their efforts with a cause that touches many families in our community. Their decision was deeply personal. The class wanted to honour a St. Jerome student who lost a family member to heart disease, as well as a staff member who is currently living with heart disease. With empathy guiding their discussions, students committed to building a business that would spread kindness while giving back in a meaningful way.
After brainstorming names and voting, they proudly chose the Kind Hearts Club. As February marks Heart Month (a national observance in Canada dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular health), the timing could not be more fitting. Their message of care and compassion echoes throughout the school during Kindness Week and beyond.
From Idea to Impact
What makes the Kind Hearts Club so special is that students lead every step of the journey. Since the fall, they have gathered for weekly business meetings to bring their vision to life. Together, they brainstorm product ideas, vote on designs, create logos, set prices, develop marketing materials, and manage production. They problem-solve, reflect, and make decisions collaboratively.
Their work has grown into a fully functioning online business, where their products are now available to the broader community. Each item represents more than a purchase. It reflects a student’s idea, a team decision and a shared commitment to kindness.
Teacher Samara Somers has watched the transformation unfold.
“Students lead the process from the start,” she explains. “Through collaboration and reflection, they problem-solve and take genuine ownership of their business.”
Leadership in Action
One of the most inspiring outcomes has been the growth in student leadership. Some of the most powerful moments have come from students who are typically quieter in class.
“It has been inspiring to see students step confidently into leadership roles,” says Somers. “Many have taken initiative, supported classmates and contributed creative ideas.”
The club’s impact has also reached beyond the school walls. Local entrepreneurs Daryl and Aliya from Atlas Haus and Olivia from Olive and Co., a St. Jerome alumna, have mentored and collaborated with the students. Through virtual meetings and product partnerships, they have shown students what community support looks like in action.
Recently, the students were thrilled to see CTV Ottawa’s Stephan Keyes share the Kind Hearts Club on his Instagram Stories. Moments like these have helped young entrepreneurs feel seen, valued, and encouraged.
Kindness That Multiplies
During Kindness Week, St. Jerome students are reminded that even small acts can have a significant impact. The Kind Hearts Club embodies that belief. It teaches students that kindness can be creative, entrepreneurial, and powerful. It shows them that their ideas matter and that their voices can make a difference.
As the Kind Hearts Club continues to grow, so does the ripple effect of compassion throughout the school community. In every brainstormed idea, every voted design and every product sold, students are learning that when hearts come together with purpose, kindness multiplies.
And at St. Jerome School, that lesson will last far beyond Heart Month.
