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Fun, Floats, & Fundraising!

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

The following is a guest post by Sam Tibshirani, who is an associate in RBC’s Career Launch program for new graduates. Sam is currently on a 3-month placement with Nexus’s sister agency, Peel Children’s Centre. Below, Sam shares her perspective supporting youth outreach and engagement at one of Nexus's annual fundraising and outreach events.

Nexus Youth Services (Nexus) staff and youth would like to thank Marble Slab Creamery Mississauga (5955 Latimer Drive) for hosting Hope Floats on Sunday, August 31st. Now in its second year, this has become a beloved annual fundraising event bringing together staff, youth volunteers, and the Peel community.

On a heatwave-worthy day in August, Marble Slab Creamery Mississauga was the perfect setting for a fun day of ice cream and outreach. It truly was a family affair, with a team of siblings arriving early to create some custom event posters with bristol board and felt markers. As the rest of the youth volunteers arrived, they began the all-important task of canvassing the area around Marble Slab. The youth volunteers handed out over 50 flyers to local businesses, and they reported that the reception of the neighbours was very positive.

Other volunteers manned our Nexus fundraising table on the sidewalk out front of Marble Slab, decorated with balloons and banners, and introduced the event to Marble Slab customers. They connected members of the Peel community with Nexus, many for the first time, and offered potential donors the amazing deal of the day: donate $2 and turn your ice cream into a float! We had several takers, and the youth got to create a sweet bubbly treat while telling the community more about Nexus and our programs.

For a many of our volunteers, this was a first experience in public outreach and an opportunity to collect volunteer hours. The youth report that they had a great day and would definitely volunteer for this event next year (the volunteer discount on ice cream didn’t hurt either).

Together we raised $197.85 to support Nexus Youth Services programs & services. Nexus is a fully accredited mental health agency that offers support services, free of charge, to youth (age 14-24) in the Region of Peel. Last year alone, Nexus helped more than 2,000 youth who may have otherwise had nowhere else to turn. It is through the dedication and support from local businesses like Marble Slab Creamery that Nexus is able to meet the needs of our growing community.

We thank Marble Slab Creamery Mississauga owner Mohamed Yusuf for sharing in our committment to work for youth, with youth.

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