Employees Champion Student Support

From bright-eyed elementary students to ambitious university scholars, every child or young person deserves to start the school year off with the tools they need to be successful.  

“I think when we invest in our students, we're not just funding supplies — we're fueling aspirations,” added Zahra Mahdavi, Assistant Project Manager. 

To kick off this school year, our Atlantic Business Unit showcased its commitment to the community and championed the cause of education by taking part in their local backpack programs. 

The team filled and donated 15 fully stocked backpacks each to the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax, NS and the Under One Sky Friendship Centre in Fredericton, NB. An additional $500 donation was given to the Labrador Friendship Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and Bridges to Hope in St. John's, NL to further their backpack initiatives. 

“We hope that through our support of these programs, students will have one less thing to worry about and instead, can learn, grow and thrive to the best of their abilities,” said Marilee Sulewski, Director, Infrastructure Advisory. 

The response to the donations was swift and heartfelt. Thanks to the team's dedication and timeliness, both Halifax's Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre and Fredericton's Under One Sky Friendship Centre received their supplies promptly, ensuring eager students could kickstart their academic journey with the resources they need. 

“Proudly, this donation is our nod to a brighter and more inclusive tomorrow,” said Zahra.

Additionally, a group of our Vancouver team collaborated with Backpack Buddies BC to address the issue of students lacking access to food over the weekends. They dedicated a half-day this Wednesday to pack 1,000 bags, which will soon be distributed across various locations in BC through the collective efforts of schools and organizations.

“The experience was not only fulfilling in its mission to support underprivileged children but also brought immense joy and a sense of purpose to our Vancouver team,” Negin Ali Mohammadi.