STEPHENVILLE, NL – College of the North Atlantic (CNA) is proud to be partnered with the Fry Family Foundation to deliver dynamic opportunities and incentives for students through a Service Integrated Learning program.
Appreciation for the foundation’s commitment to CNA students enrolled in the Community Leadership Development (CLD) program was held Wednesday, June 30 at 10 a.m. A virtual event brought together representation from CNA; the Fry Family Foundation, including Paul Burt, president; and, the more than 20 not-for-profit organizations involved in the program.
Anna Peddle, Manager of CNA’s Office of Alumni and Advancement, says the program is a win-win-win.
“Our partnership with the Fry Family Foundation has spanned nearly two decades and it continues to make lifelong impacts on the students across all CNA campuses and communities,” she said. “This latest initiative is one more step in continuing to ensure our communities are equipped with the next generation of leaders who can strengthen and nurture the places where we live and work.”
Appreciation for the Fry Family Foundation's commitment to CNA students enrolled in the Community Leadership Development (CLD) program was held Wednesday, June 30. Among the special guests were founders, Marlene and Darryl Fry, who joined the call from Utah! Also at the virtual event were representatives from CNA and non-profit organizations from across the province.
The pilot program, launched in 2020, was designed to align with the CLD’s goal of empowering students to affect change, form social groups with common goals, and create a positive influence on their communities. Students can enhance their skillsets and grow as community leaders, while in turn, work with non-profit organizations to share their expertise, gain real-world, hands-on experience, and assist these organizations with growth and development.
As an added bonus, 50 students of the CLD program would be eligible to apply for a stipend valued at $1,000 to be awarded at the end of their completed work terms.
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The Fry Family Foundation was founded in 1997 by Darryl and Marlene Fry, and has been dedicated to working with educational institutions by providing scholarships and program funding.
The President of the Fry Family Foundation says the program will not only benefit CNA students, but communities across Newfoundland and Labrador as well.
“Communities will benefit tremendously from the fresh perspectives brought by enthusiastic students who are eager to apply the principles learned in their program at CNA,” said Burt. “We believe this is an innovative program which will achieve positive and sustainable social impacts in towns throughout the province.”
Brenda Tobin, Dean of Academics, Applied Arts and Tourism, says she is proud to be a part of such an innovative program that engages students and fosters the interests and development of charitable and non-profit organizations and associations.
“We sincerely thank the Fry Family Foundation who created this exciting initiative. From the first launch of the Service Integrated Learning opportunity with a stipend this year, our students gained invaluable learning experiences by working on amazing projects and meaningful activities with diverse non-profit organizations in our province,” said Tobin. “We even saw our students work with alumni of the program, who are current leaders within such vital organizations, and doors of opportunity opened as well with some newly established groups.”
Tobin says her school and CNA are grateful to all the parties involved in this groundbreaking partnership.
“I would also like to thank our community partners and faculty who helped our students transform their creative ideas into real-life outcomes, making differences in communities and the lives of so many.”
Allison Seward, a student with the Community Leadership Development program at Carbonear campus, says the program has had a huge impact on her.
“The program has given me so many opportunities for learning experiences, personal growth, friendships and so much more,” she said. “It has shown me the importance of working within communities to have an impact and be the change, and I am so glad I found the career path that suits me and is so rewarding.”
Terrilynn Barry, Manager of the Youth 2000 Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor, echoes the praise for the program as it allows future leaders in the non-profit community to learn just how important organizations like hers are.
“It’s amazing when we can have a student come in and help us with the planning and implementing of programs that benefit the youth in our community,” she said.
For more information about the Community Leadership Development program and others, visit
www.cna.nl.ca.
To learn more about the Fry Family Foundation, visit:
www.fryfamilyfoundation.com
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Media contact:
Ryanne McIsaac
Content Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7870
Ryanne.mcisaac@cna.nl.ca