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Ontario’s Universities: Transforming Communities, Transforming Lives. 02

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3-7 20-23 Introduction Building up communities 8-11 Building 24-27 the potential When campus of every child impact spans across 12-15 the globe Transforming local 28 economies Conclusion 16-19 Innovation improving the health of Ontarians COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION REPORT 03

“Being engaged in your community – I think that’s the most important thing all of us can do.” — Kathleen Wynne, Premier of

Ontario’s universities know how important it is not only to train and equip students for career and life success, but also to reach beyond the walls of campus and lift up communities. Through partnerships that spark service learning, or community-based opportunities that enrich the learning experience and also improve lives, many thousands of students, faculty and staff are actively engaging with the 33 communities where Ontario universities are rooted. Some start their own initiatives, creating non-profit organizations, outreach programs, or inventing innovative products that solve critical issues around the globe. Students have won hundreds of awards for their work, and often find or create jobs out of these experiences. Universities offer free dental clinics, mentorship activities, start-up programs and much more. The examples of community transformation showcased in this report are just a sample of university initiatives – many of Ontario’s universities have their own versions of programs listed, often adapted for the specific needs of the communities they work with. 04

The economic impact of universities is truly remarkable ­ – according to a 2014 report by the Conference Board of Canada, postsecondary institutions generate more than $55 billion in economic activity every year. Almost 700,000 direct and indirect jobs are attributable to spending by postsecondary institutions. COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION REPORT 05

Towns and cities surrounding these institutions also benefit from off-campus student spending, which can generate as much as $17.5 billion in economic activity. There are countless examples of universities propelling economies in this province. Large universities bring in many billions – the largest university in Ontario contributes $15.7 billion to the economy every year – while mid-sized universities each generate about $2.5 billion. And the impact of universities on communities extends far beyond economics.

Postsecondary institutions in Canada generate more than $ 55 Almost billion in economic activity every year. 700,000 jobs are attributable to spending by postsecondary institutions in Canada. 06

Tens of thousands of dedicated faculty members, staff and students demonstrate the value of universities every day by making their communities more progressive, compassionate and innovative. COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION REPORT 07

According to a recent report on faculty work, an average faculty member in Ontario devotes about 20 per cent of their work hours to services, such as informing policy and using their skills and knowledge to enhance communities on local, national and global scales. This report provides an overview of the many ways universities are enriching their communities and inspiring success.

An average faculty member in Ontario

20% work hours to services Building the potential of every child

By cultivating strong relationships with organizations that support children and youth, universities are helping to set up young people for healthy, prosperous and fulfilling lives. University of Scarborough IMANI Program. Photo credit: Ken Jones Photo credit: IMANI Program. Scarborough COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION REPORT 09

Universities are developing partnerships with local, regional and national organizations to give students learning opportunities that lift up their communities.

or struggling elementary and nowing what an important Fsecondary school students, Krole mentorship can play, access to a supportive relation- 83% created a ship with a caring adult at school of high school students who program that pairs university took part in the IMANI program can mark the difference between reported having higher students with Aboriginal youth. success and failure. expectations for themselves, and The Aboriginal High School For almost 10 years, the University saw more options for the future. Mentorship Program takes place of Toronto Scarborough’s IMANI in Ottawa classrooms and focuses Academic Mentorship Program has 92% on dispelling myths about higher offered academic and social support say they are interested in pursuing education while offering learning postsecondary education. to middle and high school students strategies and practical advice living in east Scarborough, reaching to students, acting as a bridge out to youth in the black community. between high school and post- A partnership between the university’s secondary education. It has Black Students’ Alliance and the encouraged countless students East Scarborough Boys & Girls Club, to pursue higher education and the program pairs university students won an Ashoka Changemakers with youth for weekly mentoring Award in 2012. in the form of tutoring, preparation for postsecondary and leadership development.

University of Toronto Scarborough IMANI Program. Photo credit: Ken Jones 10

etting children excited about free, interactive educational t’s important for children to Greading can set them up for A series for children has Ibe studious, but play is also an academic and career success for travelled to communities in and essential part of development. years to come. Education students around Hamilton, inspiring kids Founded in 2007 by students at developed aged seven to 14 to get excited at Western University, Learning it NU Reads, a club that encourages about learning. Sessions by the Together pairs university mentors North Bay children to cultivate a McMaster Children and Youth with elementary school students love for reading while improving University are designed to spark of lower socio-economic statuses their literacy skills. The club brings curiosity about research, while in London, challenging children low-income children together with teaching progressive topics to create to learn and grow through play. university students to facilitate more compassionate communities. The free eight-week after-school discussions about books. The There have been lectures on the program focuses on literacy, students launched the club in 2009 human body, Aboriginal contribu- numeracy and skills needed to as part of a course that encouraged tions to Canada and perceptions live a healthy and active life. them to create initiatives that help of disability. The monthly sessions people in their communities. each attract 200 young people from almost 100 schools in Ontario, and are targeted at families that haven’t had the opportunity to pursue postsecondary education. “I could not ask for better role models for my students than the dedicated volunteers of the Learning it Together program.” Joe Sheik, former Principal Lord Elgin Public School

McMaster Children and Youth University Graduates. Photo credit: McMaster University Learning It Together. Photo credit: Western University COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION REPORT 11

yerson University’s new ince females remain vastly RMattamy Athletic Centre isn’t Sunderrepresented in the just giving the Rams, or varsity “The biggest transformation engineering profession, Go was not witnessed on the ice athletes, a competitive edge – or in the gym – it was through ENG Girl, held once a year at it is home to an important learning the children’s eyes. You could the and see their engagement and awe program for young people in whether it was through lacing up many other universities in underprivileged neighbourhoods. for the first time, cooking food, Ontario, is raising awareness The Centre houses Rams-in-Training, or creating new friendships.” about engineering among girls a free program that fosters relation- Nella Brodett in grades seven to 10. More student-athlete on the Ryerson ships between university athletes and Rams women’s hockey team than 125 girls participate in students in grades seven to 10. The hands-on workshops and meet youth learn how to play hockey, and with professional and student take evening workshops for 10 weeks female engineers, with the goal while learning about postsecondary of providing the knowledge and options. The sessions are led by encouragement necessary for student athletes, police officers and these young girls to consider nutrition students, and the program engineering as a future career. is a partnership between Ryerson, Toronto police, Loblaw and the Pathways to Education program in multi-sector partnership the social housing neighbourhood Aled by OCAD University is Regent Park. helping young people facing complex barriers to employment Rams in Training. Photo credit: such as learning disabilities and rban farming is now being mental health challenges to gain Utaught to elementary school competencies in addressing a students. offers growing demand for inclusively an urban farming summer day designed or accessible products camp for children in grades four to and services. For example, eight. The camp focuses on science the youth learn about and develop concepts these students are learning products and services required in the classroom, but instead of by accessibility legislation. Project having to sit and listen to a lecture, Outside-In received $200,000 from the students get their hands dirty the Ontario government to mentor with active lessons. Teachings and provide training to these youth, draw on First Nations perspectives and to eventually support them on topics such as food security, OCAD University. Photo credit: Shai Gil. as service entrepreneurs. nutrition and food preparation. Transforming local economies

Universities inject billions of dollars into the cities of this province each year, and are therefore a core component of Ontario’s economic growth. School of Social Work. Photo credit: Photo credit: School of Social Work. COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION REPORT 13

In today’s global, knowledge-based economy, partnerships between universities, government and businesses are essential. Universities prepare the employees the job market depends on, while creating countless inventions and spin-off businesses by inspiring entrepreneurship.

he economic impact that here’s no question that

Tuniversities bring is felt across “In our wildest dreams, Tuniversities act as economic communities, regions, and the we did not expect what has pillars for their communities, entire country. The University of happened here. It grew so and the impact is felt even more quickly, it was beyond anything Toronto, for example, contributes anyone imagined. Postsecondary poignantly in areas that are $15.7 billion to the Canadian completely changed our culture, struggling. In the late 1990s, it completely changed our focus. economy every year as the largest It has been the catalyst for Brantford was devastated by university in Canada. The U of T the growth and revitalization the collapse of a once-thriving has a vibrant community of more we are seeing throughout manufacturing sector. All of that the entire city.” than 20,000 faculty and staff, changed in 1999 when Wilfrid Laurier Chris Friel, Brantford Mayor and 80,000 students across three University opened a small satellite distinctive campuses and several campus. Since then, downtown partner sites. It attracts $1.1 billion Brantford has been reborn as a in research funding each year and bustling centre of cultural, academic generates $83 million in research and social activity. Laurier’s ongoing and development through industry partnerships with other higher collaborations. The university has education institutions, including produced 152 research institutes Conestoga and community and centres and 252 licensed groups such as the YMCA and inventions. the Six Nations Community, have been crucial to the revitalization.

Carnegie Building on the Brantford campus. Photo Credit: Wilfrid Laurier University 14

niversities can be the impetus niversity partnerships with Ufor the exponential growth VineAlert significantly reduces Ugovernment provide critical of industries and businesses in economic loss among Ontario’s economic foundations for Ontario’s certain regions. Kitchener-Waterloo towns and cities. The University of has become a high-tech hub with 500 Windsor recently partnered with the a talent pool from each of its local grape growers by province and the City of Windsor to universities – the University of monitoring cold-hardiness bring campus life to the downtown Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier across the Niagara Peninsula, core. What is now a $75-million Lake Erie North Shore University. As well as attracting development project also includes and Prince Edward County many thousands of students each at vineyards in each region. contributions of $15 million from the year, their presence and outreach province and $10 million from the city enhances the operations of local to support a new campus that will businesses and community orga- house the School of Social Work, the nizations. A study conducted by Centre for Executive and Professional PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2013 “To have research Education and the School of shows that the done on vineyards is Creative Arts. The campus is already alone generates $2.6 billion in total invaluable when contributing to a major economic annual spending and creates 20,000 making business revitalization in Windsor’s core. decisions regarding jobs in Ontario. It also found that for wind machine use.” every dollar the provincial government Trevor Falk spends on the university, the Niagara-on-the-Lake grape grower imilarly, the University of institution returns nearly nine times SOntario Institute of Technology that amount to the province. has expanded its campus to downtown Oshawa. This move has helped revitalize the city’s downtown rape-growing and wine- core with more than 2,600 students The University Gmaking is a $3.3-billion and staff visiting 58 restaurants, as of Waterloo alone generates industry in Ontario that receives well as dozens of shops and services $2.6 billion enormous support from Brock in the area. also University. For instance, Brock’s in total annual spending provides increased educational and creates VineAlert program helps growers opportunities for students in this avoid millions of dollars in crop high-growth area with its Oshawa 20,000 damage from a single cold-weather campus of 900 students. jobs in Ontario. event. The program tracks the threshold where grape buds will be damaged by cold temperatures, and alerts grape growers to switch on wind machines or use other freeze avoidance methods. COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION REPORT 15

80,000 square foot Queen’s University’s Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts is home to the university’s creative arts disciplines and provides a hub for inter- disciplinary artistic study, creation and exhibition.

Laurentian Green Walkway. Rendering by LGA-Architectural Partners.

eptember 2014 saw the opening creative and cultural ollaborations across Ontario Sof Queen’s University’s Isabel Atransformation to Sudbury’s Care creating new visions Bader Centre for the Performing downtown began in 2013 as and plans for renewal of regional Arts on the Kingston waterfront. ’s School economies. In 2013, Lakehead The 80,000 square foot facility is of Architecture renovated and University announced the creation home to the university’s creative arts repurposed the former CP Rail of the President’s Advisory Councils disciplines and provides a hub for Freight Shed and the CP Telegraph on Economic Development in interdisciplinary artistic study, creation Building. A new wing will connect Northwestern Ontario and Simcoe and exhibition. It also boasts a state- the existing structures and form a County to identify ways the university of-the-art concert hall, a film screening spacious inner courtyard, welcoming can play an even more integral role room and a flexible theatre space. pedestrian traffic through the for these economies. Members of Built with support from all three levels downtown core. the councils include representatives of government, as well as substantial from various industries, bringing philanthropy, the facility integrates a together top private sector executives, number of historic buildings into an nother institution enhancing Aboriginal community members and award-winning contemporary design. Aits urban core with an arts economists to advise Lakehead’s community is , President on the university’s role in which is relocating its arts campus regional economic development. to downtown St. Catharines in 2015. The new facility will bring 500 students, faculty and staff to the city’s downtown. Innovation improving the health of Ontarians

From free and anonymous medical services for at-risk groups to culturally sensitive mental health outreach and innovative campaigns that save lives, Ontario’s universities are leading some of the country’s most socially conscious programs. University of Toronto IMAGINE. Photo credit: University of Toronto IMAGINE. Photo credit: University of Toronto COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION REPORT 17

Universities contribute enormously to the financial well-being of their communities, but their work also greatly benefits the health of Ontarians.

ince 2010, a student-led he Connected Health and Sclinic has been making a TWellness Project provides an difference for Toronto’s most innovative approach to lifelong vulnerable community members. IMAGINE makes wellness through improved access a difference for more than Homeless and disadvantaged to health information, coaching residents of the city are offered and technology advancements. help every Saturday at a clinic run , McMaster University, by University of Toronto students. 200 NexJ Systems and 16 other partners The Interprofessional Medical people every year. and affiliates are working to enable and Allied Groups for Improving patients, family and professional care Neighbourhood Environments teams to collaboratively manage (IMAGINE) clinic is free and health and wellness through the use anonymous, offering treatment of mobile technology that supports by doctors, pharmacists, social healthcare services, resulting in workers, physiotherapists and better outcomes and integration by nurses, and students who treat hospitals, clinics and practitioners. patients under the supervision of York is also developing a training professionals. IMAGINE makes program, curriculum and standards a difference for more than 200 for health coaching, an emerging people every year. profession providing expert health advice and support.

University of Toronto IMAGINE volunteers. 18

i

Western University’s Dental Outreach Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging (RIA). Community Service program.

mobile dental unit is n aging population brings a host of challenges to local Abringing free dental care Acommunities, and universities are leading the charge to train to low-income families across those who will treat them. London. Western University’s Dental Outreach Community Service program, delivered through the Schulich School of Medicine The University of Waterloo is & Dentistry, has travelled to various a leader in a collaborative effort to community centres to complete build a pioneering institute that will examinations, cleanings, fillings, bring long-term care services, research tooth extractions and simple and teaching activities together to denture delivery. Like similar improve seniors’ lives, while training programs at other universities the next generation of front-line staff. in Ontario, those in need benefit, and the volunteer-based program gives dental students practical Launching in 2015, the institute is a partnership between the university, experience and teaches compre- Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, Schlegel Villages, and Conestoga hensive care in a team College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. environment. COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION REPORT 19

one marrow donors save i Blives, but it’s incredibly difficult to find them. To encourage people to register as donors, former Trent University student David Smyth initiated cheek-swab testing days. The cause was close to home for Smyth, who was a leukemia patient himself. The campaign, Get Swabbed, is now in its fifth year and extends to university, college and high school McMaster University’s Healthy Active Living Group. students across the country to recruit potential donors. Although Smyth was unable to find a match he most innovative healthcare can go unused if people do and lost his battle with leukemia Tnot think that it’s aligned with their cultural or religious values. in 2010, his efforts live on through Graduate students and alumni from McMaster University’s Healthy Active the lives he has helped save with Living Group are visiting Muslim organizations from Hamilton to Toronto this ongoing campaign. to talk about nutrition, fitness and mental health in a religious and cultural context. The group speaks to audiences of new Canadians who may not be aware that there are Muslim counsellors who understand their cultural or religious circumstances and can treat them in a context that is comfortable. In 2013 more than 12,10 0 students, and multiple universities in Ontario, participated in Get Swabbed. Building up communities

Creating inclusive, forward-looking programs alongside leading research. OCAD University’s exhibition: Generations of Queer. Illustration by Elisha Lim exhibition: Generations of Queer. OCAD University’s COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION REPORT 21

Ontario’s universities are involved in their communities at every level in this province and work closely with local organizations to tackle issues such as violence, bullying and mental illness.

any adults have never had he Poverty and Social Policy Mthe opportunity to attend TExternship Pilot Program university. Humanities 101 is is a partnership between the a community-based outreach University of Windsor’s Faculty program at ’s of Law and Pathway to Potential, Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses a collaborative anti-poverty that ensures that community network funded by the City of members have access to university- Windsor and County of Essex, level education despite financial and supported by the United or social barriers. Participants are Way Windsor-Essex. The project 18 to 80 years old, and learn about provides learning and research a wide variety of topics through opportunities for law students in the program. They are also provided critical anti-poverty areas: living with a student ID to take advantage wage, social enterprise, food of all of the services at the university, security and transportation. as well as transportation, child or The program enhances policy- elder care support and meals, thanks focused experiential learning to multiple community partners. opportunities for the Faculty, and To-date, 325 students have taken helps reduce and prevent poverty part in the program. A similar program in Windsor-Essex. exists at McMaster University, Trent University Durham, and several other universities in Ontario. Lakehead University’s Humanities 101 Program. 22

Professor Debra Pepler has The exhibit partnered with Big Brothers “Walking With Our Sisters” Big Sisters of Canada, has been travelling around Australia, Ireland, North America to feature New Zealand and Russia; Red Cross Canada; and Scouts Canada, reaching hundreds of thousands of youth. 1,726 pairs of moccasin tops or vamps to honour the nearly Professor Wendy Stanyon University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

ork University Professor 1,200 elping police officers identify YDebra Pepler is training Indigenous women and girls Hsigns of people experiencing adults across Canada to model who have been missing and mental health issues was the and promote healthy social skills murdered in Canada since 1980. foundation of a partnership and relationships for children, between Durham Regional Police preventing violence by breaking and the University of Ontario patterns that are likely to carry Institute of Technology. Professor into adulthood. The Healthy Wendy Stanyon created a series of Relationships Training Module was rtists bring new light to police simulation videos, which have developed with Queen’s University Amisunderstood topics and been used to educate thousands of Professor Wendy Craig and clinician can make profound political police officers to recognize possible Dr. Joanne Cummings. Pepler has statements with their work. indicators of mental illness and partnered with Big Brothers Big The exhibit “Walking With Our respond appropriately. A second Sisters of Canada, Australia, Ireland, Sisters” has been travelling around video series was recently created New Zealand and Russia; Red North America to feature 1,726 to raise awareness about elder Cross Canada; and Scouts Canada, pairs of moccasin tops or vamps abuse, which brought in more reaching hundreds of thousands to honour the nearly 1,200 community partners. Together, of youth. Indigenous women and girls who the simulations involved partner- have been missing and murdered in ships with the Ontario Provincial Canada since 1980. At the exhibit, Police, Durham Region, and several viewers remove their shoes and walk seniors’ groups. The videos are on a path alongside the vamps. now mandatory training for several Algoma University will feature the police services, and are in high exhibit in 2015 to give voice to the demand around Canada and abroad. important issue in the Sault Ste. Marie community. COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION REPORT 23

rent University’s Lauren TOstrowski wanted to have an impact on her community before she entered the workforce. Through a university partnership with the Trent Centre for Community Based Education, the forensic science student developed a protocol for victim services workers who interact with families who have lost loved ones to homicide or sudden death. The protocol, which resulted from Photo from OCAD University’s exhibition: Generations of Queer. Photo credit: Kiley May. a partnership with the Peterbor- ough-Lakefield Community Police s an official partner of the Service, gives support workers the n reimagining a North Bay Afirst WorldPride in Toronto, tools to communicate about these Igarbage dump, Nipissing OCAD University provided a sensitive issues, helping to create University students are helping strong community voice for the more compassionate communities. to save a rapidly declining event, complete with a thought- species, the Monarch butterfly. provoking exhibition and blog. At the Marsh Drive dump, students The university created the ilfrid Laurier offers, are growing and planting milkweed, Queer Pride Chronicles, a blog WIntroduction to Community the only plant that caterpillars eat that remains active, to profile stories Engagement, a course that and Monarch butterflies lay eggs on. about coming out and the signif- introduces students to concepts of Now milkweed-rich, the old dump icance of Pride. OCAD University social inclusion, local democracy, site is being transformed into a also staged the compelling exhibition distributive economics, and com- sanctuary for these butterflies, and Generations of Queer: Robert Flack munity development. The course the project is providing community / John Greyson / Elisha Lim / Kiley requires intensive on-the-ground partners with an important service May. The exhibition centred on learning experiences that take place while equipping students with a dialogue between the work of in Kitchener’s urban core through a leadership experience. The project two senior artists and younger partnership with The Working Centre, is part of the Flora of Northern artists who are the beneficiaries a non-profit that addresses unem- Ontario biology course at Nipissing, of their activism. ployment and poverty, and engages and involves partnerships with citizens in creative solutions to Nipissing Naturalists and the City community issues. The course is of North Bay. part of Laurier’s multi-community, multi-campus Community Service- Learning program, which more than 1,500 undergraduates take part in each year. When campus impact spans the globe

Many students are developing their own organizations, programs and products that are contributing significantly to worldwide communities while strengthening Ontario’s global standing. Photo credit: Chris Charles, University of Guelph PhD student. Photo credit: COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION REPORT 25

For Ontario to remain globally competitive, international partnerships and collaborations are essential. Universities are leading numerous global projects that have students building bridges to other parts of the world.

ambodia has the highest match-making career Crate of iron deficiency in the Aservice is helping new world, affecting 44 per cent of The Lucky Iron Fish Canadians in Sudbury find the the population and resulting in an can provide work they’re qualified for. estimated $70 billion of lost GDP. Professions North/Nord, launched Chris Charles, a PhD student at by Laurentian University, transforms the University of Guelph, became 75% the lives of professionals who were a social entrepreneur when his of the recommended trained and earned their credentials studies led to the creation of the daily intake of iron for outside of Canada. The agency anemic people. Lucky Iron Fish. When placed helps employers find the skilled in a cooking pot, this product workers they are looking for, and can provide 75 per cent of the assists internationally trained recommended daily intake of professionals – more than 700 iron for anemic people. Living in so far – to secure employment in Cambodia for almost five years, their fields with services including Charles distributed the product to portfolio development, bridging villagers who continue to use it to to accreditation, networking and boost their iron levels. The project mentorship. was recently awarded $500,000 through Grand Challenges Canada.

The Lucky Iron Fish. Photo credit: Chris Charles 26

hile completing a Wplacement in Rankin Inlet, “This project allowed me Nunavut, to contribute to improving law student Iman Amin noticed the education of students, something I am really that the procedures and policies passionate about. It has also at the Kataujaq Society Women’s helped me gain understanding Safe Shelter had not been of how development works – or doesn’t – rather than updated since the 1980s. reading about it in a text book.” To bring the operations of the Anna Soper, University of Ottawa shelter up-to-date and help meet the needs of the women it serves, Amin decided to take on a 12-month community service assignment in Rankin Inlet before entering her articling year. Also hanaian students are facilitating training initiatives for required to learn how to G staff at the shelter, Amin aims to use computers, but they often promote positive change by don’t have access to them. implementing refreshed policies When University of Ottawa student and procedures that will help Anna Soper headed to Ghana as challenge the systemic violence part of her graduate studies, she faced by historically disadvantaged was determined to build a financially women, namely Inuit women viable computer lab in Bobikuma, in the Kivalliq region. Ghana. The construction of the Photo credit: Local Buttons. facility was a collaborative effort between Soper, Ghanaian community student at Ryerson University members, the local school and NGOs. Ais proving that not only can Amin’s project is It now provides 400 primary and fashion be sustainable, it has the potential to vastly improve being designed in direct junior high students with free access partnership with the communities around the world. to computers. Outside of school Kataujaq Board of Anne Pringle is a graduate student hours, students from secondary Directors and staff, and who co-created Local Buttons, a school and the broader community brings an undeniably global social enterprise that creates use the computer lab facilities for positive contribution sustainable fashion by deconstructing to the community. a nominal fee. The funds generated old garments and repurposing the by the school help pay the lab’s fabric into new styles. Each style is operation and maintenance costs. designed in Canada and manufac- tured in Haiti, and the company provides ethical wages and benefits during the workday including trans- portation and meals for employees. COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION REPORT 27

This major international collaboration secured a $4.5M funding commitment from the Canadian government and serves as a model for transforming education in refugee communities.

Disability in Kasese Project. Queen’s University graduates Hasina Daya Photo credit: Carleton University and Gabrielle Armstrong with team in Kenya.

eople with disabilities in oung people living in ueen’s University Arts PUganda are not only looking Yand near refugee camps Qand Science 2014 graduates for mobility aids, but also financial in Kenya can access education Hasina Daya and Gabrielle Arm- independence. Carleton University’s through the York University-led strong are increasing the economic Industrial Design students worked Borderless Higher Education independence of a small rural with people living with disabilities for Refugees Project, earning village in Kenya through the in Uganda to develop technologies certificates, diplomas, and establishment of a Co-operative that improve their mobility in rugged eventually degrees. This major Coop, a farm with 1,000 chickens terrain, creating livelihood opportu- international collaboration, offering that provides a sustainable nities. Designs developed through online and onsite courses, secured income source for the community the Design Innovation for Disability a $4.5 million funding commitment of Piave. Community members in Kasese Project were manufac- from the Canadian government and are paid for their work on the chicken tured in Uganda to support local serves as a model for transforming farm – additional revenue is reinvested economies, and included a wheel- education in refugee communities. into the farm and also supports chair that converts into a tricycle, people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans a mobility device that can hold both and vulnerable children in Piave. a mother and her child, and a rolling The end goal is for the project to gardening chair. “We learned that be self-sustaining by the time the you can’t really design for people, graduates leave the community. you have to design with people,” Support for the project was provided said Jennifer Vandermeer, a student by the Pathy Family Foundation. who participated. The designs may be adapted for use in other areas with similar terrain. Universities are inextricably linked to the betterment of their communities. There are numerous examples in Ontario of universities lifting communities out of economic devastation while enhancing social programs, and bringing cultural activities to life. If unconvinced of the influence universities have on their communities, examine their impact on members of society who experience the highest rates of marginalization. For example, when a disadvantaged student is introduced to a mentor who helps foster a love of learning, teaches critical skills and demonstrates that high goals are within reach, suddenly anything is possible for that young person. Multiply that effect by the thousands of people university students and faculty work with throughout the year, and the impact is staggering.

Ontario’s universities enrich their communities socially, culturally and economically, and inspire success.

Council of Ontario Universities 180 West, Suite 1100 Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8 Tel: 416.979.2165 www.cou.on.ca Follow us on @OntUniv Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CouncilofOntarioUniversities ISBN: 0-88799-511-X www.cou.on.ca/blog COU No. 901