This story is featured in the Spring 2016 issue of Showcase: The Champions of Change Issue. »View the complete Showcase publication

With such a talented, knowledgeable and dedicated student body, Trent University’s longstanding tradition of community service is bursting at the seams.

Beyond just reading, writing and hours in lecture hall or the lab, Trent students are inspired to give back, and understand that they can effect change. It’s all part of the Trent experience and is demonstrated in the diverse collection of student groups found at both the Peterborough and Durham campuses  who are leading the charge to make a resounding difference in the community.

Real students. Real accomplishment.

$10,000 raised by Trent Gives for Canadians with Cystic Fibrosis in memory of a Trent student who succumbed to the disease, a solidarity event organized by the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) to show support for the Peterborough mosque that was destroyed (intentionally) by fire, and $25,000 raised by a mix of staff, faculty, donors and students for the Trent World University Service of Canada Student Refugee Program to sponsor additional refugee students. These are just a few of the most recent accomplishments of Trent student groups.

“A lot of these student groups do amazing things for the community, while others run events and initiatives for students on campus,” says Alaine Spiwak, president of the TCSA, and fourth-year student in International Development Studies. “Although the TCSA is focused on student services, campaigns, events, and advocacy, at times we also run outreach events and initiatives within the community. For example, when the fire was set to the Peterborough Mosque, we partnered with the Trent Muslim Students’ Association and arranged a solidarity event at the church where they held Friday prayer while the mosque was being rebuilt.”

Recognizing the importance of community

Whether helping children, seniors or new immigrants with their literacy skills through the Trent Students For Literacy group; writing letters to elementary students within the PenPals program at Trent University Durham; or volunteering with the Sexual Violence Support group to assist the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, Trent students are finding meaningful ways to make a tangible difference in the lives of local citizens.

And the students themselves are as varied as the groups they join. Trent Gives, a group focused on community outreach and charity work, for example, invites students from all academic backgrounds to participate in its fundraising and volunteering efforts.

“Trent University recognizes the importance of community,” says Sarah Mitchell, Trent Gives co-chair and third-year Business student who feels that students at Trent join the group to raise funds for a well deserving charity while growing their leadership abilities. “It’s one of Trent’s core values, and the University has been extremely supportive of our endeavours and is eager to help us reach success in our campaigns.”