Student Contests!
On April 15, 2008, ACCESS Charity will launch a new initiative to get students thinking about the importance of education!
Many of us take school for granted, of course. That's why we're is launching ACCESS Student Contests, so that students in developed countries can remember the privilege they have been given - the chance to go to school.
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Youth Can Move the World Symposium
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ACCESS Charity TV: Video News from the Event
For more videos on the Youth Can Move the World Symposium or on ACCESS Charity, visit our new YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/accesscharity.
Your Experience in the Developing World
Share your experience on your trip to a developing country. Describe your feelings and memories from the Dominican Republic Exposure Experience. The people, the culture, the poverty, the lifestyle, the events. Post yours by replying to this post, or emailing them to info@accesscharity.ca
It's so important for others to learn about what you've experienced! There is no equal to actually going to one of these countries and meeting the people.
Thanks for sharing!
Inspiring Agents of Change at Youth Can Move the World Symposium
On February 23, 2008, ACCESS was featured in the Agency Fair at this year's Youth Can Move The World Symposium. The event aimed to inspire and engage local youth in volunteer organizations.
Read the full article here.
See the news release here.
See the photos gallery here.
For the event's information, visit youthcanmovetheworld.ca.
Youth Can Move the World - Agency Fair Introduction
The following is a speech presented by Daniel Francavilla at the 2008 Symposium in Mississauga, Ontario.
Youth Can Move the World is a symposium and a character building forum where youth learn about, and become involved in, programs and activities focused on creating a world that is socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable. It is designed to encourage and enable youth to engage with community-based organizations to explore opportunities to transform their interests into action through local volunteerism.
Good morning everyone. My name is Daniel, and I am a grade 12 Brampton student, and am also Founder of my own International Agency. More on that in a minute! I am here to tell you about the Agency Fair at today's event.
The Agency Fair was created for several reasons. First, it provides an avenue to promote youth volunteerism and it also provides an opportunity for Agencies to showcase to youth their valuable services in our community. This year we have 22 Agencies participating. We would have liked to have included more agencies, but available space kept us to this number.
By volunteering with one of the agencies here today, you can become a leader! You will help to create new knowledge about volunteering for yourself and for future groups and generations following you. Each of these Agencies has agreed to participate in a research study following the Symposium. The purpose of this research is to:
• contribute to the growth in the number of youth who volunteer their time within the community;
• identify some of the barriers to this, and
• determine some ways in which the experience of this engagement can be enhanced for both the youth and the agencies with which they volunteer.
We will share our research findings with all participating youth and agencies. We will be asking all youth who sign up for volunteer opportunities here at the Fair to sign a “request for release of information” form to enable us to follow up with you and the agencies later about your experiences.
There are also prizes to be drawn from those who submit a validated 'passport' from visiting the agency booths.
So, we invite each and everyone one of you to explore the booths, learn more about the agencies, and of course consider signing up for one of their volunteer opportunities. There will be staff and volunteers from each of these agencies ready and waiting to answer any of your questions, tell you about their services, and of course also tell you about the volunteer opportunities they have available.
Along with the agency staff, there will be Sheridan College students who have volunteered today from the Community Worker Program who will be assisting these agencies and assisting Donna McBride, the Agency Fair Coordinator.
Now, I’d like to share some of my story.
I’m currently finishing grade 12 at d’Youville – but when I was in grade 10, just 2 years ago, I had a life-changing experience. I had the chance to visit the Dominican Republic. But I can guarantee, I did not experience the Dominican Republic in the way that many of you have – endless sandy beaches, unlimited drinks, air conditioning, massages, pools, huge buffets, or snorkeling.
Instead, I was exposed to the harsh reality of life in the developing world. In this beautiful vacation hotspot there is much suffering. Just outside the doors of the resort, a world of extreme poverty exists.
Whether it be children living in isolated villages working on the sugar cane fields or adults working long, exhausting days for almost no pay, I witnessed a lot of corruption – which is a reality in our world today. But of course, there is hope. Why are we here today? Because we can move the world.
Immediately after I returned home to Brampton, I felt inspired to make a difference. My intent was not simply to satisfy my personal desire to help; but to make a lasting change. After much thought and support from the Church I attend, I came up with the title “ACCESS Charity”. My goal in short: to provide children in the developing world with an education. Something that many of us take for granted here in North America – the chance to go to school!
Fortunately, fundraising began with a bang. After speaking at the services one weekend at St. Marguerite d’Youville Church, I was able to raise $8,500 towards the new project called ACCESS. Amazed at the support, I proudly sent the money to the Grey Sisters in the Dominican Republic who purchased uniforms for as many children as they could. I chose this cause because many times, without a uniform, students aren’t allowed to go to school.
Since then, my friends, family, and both parish and school communities have shown support of ACCESS Charity through raffles and school supply drives. I was very excited to find out that I won the Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award – more publicity for ACCESS and hopefully some encouragement for others to do the same work. It’s great because it is extremely important to raise awareness of the issues related to poverty; not simply raising money, but so that we as a whole, the youth, the next generation of this world, can use our knowledge and resources to enhance our world for the better of all humanity.
ACCESS is about youth making a difference on a global scale. It’s an acronym for “allowing children a chance at education with school supplies”, but it’s more than that. Let’s bridge the gap between our world and the developing world.
I hope that you take the time to visit the website for ACCESS, www.accesscharity.ca, and visit the booth – along with those of the other great organizations here today. If you would like to help fundraise or spread the message, I invite you come speak to us at the booth this afternoon.
As Gandhi said, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world."
And on another note, being a leader and making a difference can mean something as simple as volunteering some of your time to a worthy cause, or it can mean taking bold action and organizing something, such as a GuluWalk for Peel Region. There really are no limits – only endless needs and opportunities. I was asked to speak to you today by the Youth Can Move the World Steering Committee specifically because of the work I have done to create ACCESS, and to be the change I wished to see in the world. You are all invited to consider how you might make a difference. As this symposium ends, communications with Youth Can More the World should not. The organization will work to bring you information about places where you too could make a difference in the world, either through our website or in partnership with other organizations. And, they welcome your suggestions and recommendations. Thank you for your time, and thank you for coming out today!
Watch the Video of the Speech
Also visit the website www.youthcanmovetheworld.com
Youth Can Move the World Symposium 2008
On February 23, 2008, ACCESS Charity will be one of the organizations represented at the Agency Fair at this year's Youth Can Move The World Symposium. "Inspiring Agents of Change" is the event's slogan.
Inspired by the United Nations declaration of the years 2005-2014 as the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, Youth Can Move the World is a symposium where youth learn about programs and activities focused on creating a world that is socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable. It is also designed to encourage and enable youth to engage with community-based organizations to explore opportunities to transform their interests into action through local volunteerism.
For more information please visit www.youthcanmovetheworld.com!
School in Colombia Sends Thanks
In December 2007, a donation from ACCESS funded the purchase of whiteboards and classroom stationary for students in a small town in Colombia. The school created a plaque to recognize our contributions to their school community.
Right, the staff wrote a thank-you for ACCESS on one of their new boards. The white boards will replaces damaged chalk boards and cut down on the consumption of chalk, which produces dust leading to health problems.
To view the new gallery of photos from Colombia, click here.
Update on ACCESS Colombia Project
This Christmas, to mark the start of the new school year in Colombia, ACCESS will be sending funds to purchase white-boards for classrooms in a local school, as well as provide many children with new notebooks and pencils for the start of their new school year. Updates on this Christmas initiative will be posted here.
New pictures from Colombia have been added to the Photos page. To view the slideshow, click here.
Radio Interview About ACCESS and Life in the Dominican Republic
On November 20, 2007 Daniel Francavilla was interviewed by Fr. Claudio Piccinini, C.P. and guests on Radio Teopoli, a daily English and Italian Catholic Radio program on Ciao Radio AM 530.
Listen to the interview by clicking here.
To listen to Radio Teopoli's regular programming (Italian and English), visit their media page on www.teopoli.org.
Imbalance of Wealthy vs. Poor
The wealthiest 20% of the world’s population own 74% of the world's wealth. The poorest 20% only owns 2%. If money is power, then clearly there's an imbalance here.
The standard world poverty line is $1.08 a day, that's it. What do you think of this? Do you think that the wealthy portion of the world, including North Americans, would be willing to sacrifice some of their luxuries to balance it out for the rest of the world's people?
Share your thoughts... remember, we're spending millions of dollars a year on MP3 players, you'd think we could take some away to help those dying around the world.
Office of Catholic Youth Recognizes ACCESS
The "OCY e-update" for April 28, 2006 included a mention of the creation and work of the "ambitious program", ACCESS. Father Edwin Gonsalves is the Director of the Office of Catholic Youth, and has recognized our organization. Here is the closing statement:
“I wish to share with you the story of Daniel Francavilla from the parish of Marguerite d’Youville who is witnessing to the resurrection. This young man visited the Dominican Republic and discovered that the young children lacked school supplies. On returning home, he decided to talk to his parish community and they raised a sizeable amount of money for the children in the Dominican Republic. This ambitious program is called A.C.C.E.S.S: allowing children a chance at education with school supplies. This young man and many others are witnessing to the resurrection. They are overcoming the negative influences in our world, by doing good. Christ is truly Risen. Let us continue to celebrate…”
Successful Presentation at Superintendent's Meeting
On April 15th, 2006 I was given the honour to present at a meeting held at Accession of Our Lord Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario. The presentation included the homily previously presented at St. Marguerite d’Youville church as well as pictures of the people of Dominican Republic. In attendance were the administrators and other staff of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, who were exposed to the Dominican Republic trip experience. This served as an excellent source of exposure for ACCESS and for the needs that are present in the Dominican Republic.
A Fundraising Idea Called "Change for Change"
Change for Change, could be a Student/Work/Family Project, to raise money for ACCESS.
You would just keep a jar by the front door or common meeting place, fill it up with extra change ($) from the day. When it's full, email ACCESS and we'll pick it up for you!
Why do this? It's a constant reminder that there are other people who need your support out there, and that you do have so much extra, even if it may not feel that way. Good?
What are your thoughts??? Can this work, or do you have any better ideas for small-scale fundraising?
Presentations at St. Nicholas School
The visit to St. Nicholas Elementary School in Bolton, Ontario included presentation with pictures to the Intermediate students (grade 7 & 8 classes) as well as the grade 5 and 6 classes, with great listening and participation. Thank you to the Principal and the Teacher who allowed for this opportunity.
Students Donate from Class Business Project
A grade ten business class at St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School donated the profits they raised from their Candy Apple Sale in October. The generous class presented ACCESS with a cheque of $242.93 on November 6, 2007. Thank you to Diana Prior and her first period class for their thoughtfulness, making an impact to those in need.
View larger picture and class picture. Photos by Ann Le
Success at the Annual Supply Drive
The School Supply Drive was a huge success at St. Marguerite d'Youville Church in Brampton, running weekends from August 18th to September 1st.Thanks to the many youth volunteers assisting with collections of supplies, monetary donations, and sharing information about the charity. To learn about shipping details, click here.
Click Here to read the full article on TheBramptonNews.com.
Click the Photos page for images.
Click Here to watch a slideshow.
Charity Bike Rider Schedules 2nd Annual Fundraiser
Keith Vaz, a Brampton high school student, has announced plans for his own bike ride fundraiser. Keith plans to obtain pledges to fund this initiative. Last year, the teen cycled 120 km in only two days, to raise money for charity. This year, he has agreed to donate the funds he collects to ACCESS Charity. The date he has currently set for his cycling event is August 18 - 19, 2007. Please check back for updates and how to support Keith's cause!
Colombia School Project Completed!
On July 18 Luz Marie, a School Teacher and active community volunteer in a town in Colombia sent the charity a picture of the updated playground that ACCESS Charity funded recently. The young students now have a safe and sheltered place to go in their neighborhood, and somewhere to be when it rains at recess. To learn more about this project, read the articles below on this page.
Donation from St. Jean Brebeuf School
Brampton's St. Jean Brebeuf Elementary School made a donation of $500 to ACCESS from their spring Spirit Week and Bake Sale fundraisers for the charity.
Thank you to Principal Sonia Rotino, who presented the cheque to ACCESS on June 22, 2007 (photo, right).
ACCESS Joins the Facebook Online Social Networking Website
On June 20, 2007 the official "ACCESS Charity" group on Facebook became active. To join the group, you must either have or first create a Facebook profile, and then use the "join group" feature. The group has be listed under the "Organizations - Non-Profit Organizations" category, and will include updated news, initiatives, ongoing discussions about charity work, and a series of updated pictures. We have received a very successful response with over 650 members as of September 2008.