Submitted by Matt Stadler
In 2014, the United Steelworkers Local 6717 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan donated a $1500 to Camp fYrefly Saskatchewan on behalf of the USW 6717 Diversity Council.
Camp fYrefly is a sponsored partner of the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan and is Canada’s largest, volunteer-based, summer leadership retreat for sexual minority and gender variant (LGBTIQ) and allied youth.
Local 6717's donation helped, in part, to send 47 youth and young adults to the camp this year. The participants were offered leadership training and skills development to help them build resiliency to benefit themselves, but also so they can return to their home communities and help these sometimes contested and closeted spaces to become more open, tolerant and respectful places to live."
The camp is peer driven and features drama, music, writing, visual art, empowerment and reflection exercises, anti-oppression work, personal growth opportunities, healthy socialization, and in-depth learning activities about specific youth topics and social issues, personal reflection, community building, and social activities. The camp is designed to help youth develop the leadership skills and resiliency necessary for them to become change agents in their schools, families, and communities.
This project is just one of so many USW's amazing members do every day to give back to our communities. If you or your local are doing good things in your community, we want to hear about them. Let us know and share video and photos at www.usw.org/uswcares and use the #USWCares hashtag when you post your stories on social media. Don't forget to shout out @Steelworkers!
