Gavin Clark wants to challenge the kinds of conversations we have about teenagers and youth.
As the Community Schools Coordinator at Templeton Secondary School in East Vancouver, Gavin sees firsthand how engaged and passionate his students are about civic issues that matter to them.
Gavin stands in front of a chalkboard where his students have shared their thoughts on the unignorable issues in their community.
It’s a far cry from the stereotypes often reinforced by media, or readily handed down by older generations – many of which also endured similar stigmas.
It’s also one of the reasons why he decided to organize a school-wide Acts of Local Love Challenge at Templeton, where students of all grades could take part.
“I thought that this campaign would be a good fit for our students because each act is something that everybody can do, every day,” says Gavin. “They are small acts that make a big difference is someone else’s life.”
A unique challenge
He first learned about the challenge at a United Way after-school program summit where he was inspired to bring it to his school.
Local Love on display at Templeton Secondary School.
The energy that he’s seen behind the challenge is exciting.
“These are small things that are achievable, meaningful and just fun for students to participate in,” he says. “They help build our community.”
He also took part in the 31-act challenge, himself.
“I think it’s important that we model as adults the things that we are expecting our students to achieve. I had fun with it.”
An opportunity for everyone
Gavin sees the different challenges his students face and he believes that providing diverse, low-barrier opportunities can both address issues and build student agency.
A post-in note on a Templeton student’s locker.
“Many students are trying to find life-balance between school, exercise, nutrition and all of the things they want to do in their lives that are important to them,” he explains. “This includes finding ways to make a difference in a world that is increasingly complex and challenging.”
Gavin believes that small, tangible acts of kindness are great ways of finding this balance.
Taking part in the conversation
One of his favourite parts of the challenge was when students were given the chance to express opinions on social issues that are important to them.
A student shares her thoughts on the unignorable issues in her community.
“We gave them sidewalk chalk to go around the school and share some of those issues close to their heart. I was really heartened to see what was important to them and what they were willing to share.”
For him, it’s been interesting to hear where the challenge made a difference in students’ lives and where they connected with the different acts.
One of the school’s goals.
“This project has reminded me of the depth of engagement that students have with issues that are important to them. Given the opportunity to share that, they are not shy about speaking their mind.”
It’s this empowerment that drives much of Gavin’s work.
“These students are not the leaders of tomorrow,” he says. “They are the leaders of today.”
Interested in bringing the Acts of Local Love Challenge to your school or workplace? Order or download your card decks here.
Topics : Kids and Youth
