Walk for Hope

This spring, Mia—Grade 12 student at Bluevale Collegiate Institute—helped lead over 550 students from Bluevale and Waterloo Collegiate Institutes in an inspiring fundraising event called Walk for Hope.

The event brought students together in the shared goal of walking 9,000 collective kilometers and raising $24,000 for KidsAbility, a local organization that supports children with developmental needs.

Thanks to the support of the Youth Creativity Fund, Mia received a $500 microgrant to make the event more accessible.

The funds covered registration fees for students in need, as well as shirts and supplies to help run the event smoothly and equitably. In the end, the students surpassed their fundraising goal—raising over $28,000 for KidsAbility.

But for Mia, the impact went far beyond dollars raised. As co-chair, she was responsible for budgeting, logistics, student outreach, and liaising with KidsAbility.

She also adapted in real-time when a planned talent show suddenly grew from 3 to 14 acts on the day of the event, showcasing her leadership and problem-solving skills under pressure. “It was the biggest hit of the night,” Mia said. “Hundreds of kids sat on the field cheering for their classmates. It was a moment of connection for both schools—something I hope no one forgets.”

The experience also shaped her career thinking. After a meaningful conversation with a KidsAbility staff member, Mia was inspired to explore a future in psychology, where she could continue serving others and making a difference.

Mia’s project supporter, Tierney Boucher noted, “Mia was a huge lead of our Walk for Hope and one of the best student leaders I’ve ever worked with.”

From planning a large-scale event to leading a diverse team, Mia’s Walk for Hope journey is a powerful example of what happens when youth are given the tools and support to lead. As she puts it: “It was such an incredible event and I am truly so thankful that I got to be part of it.”