New program offers Steinbach youth a chance to give back

For Steinbach youth Heather, volunteering by washing apples and bagging carrots for a soup kitchen is more than simple work. It’s her way of making a difference.

The 15-year-old was one of two teenagers selected for The Chrysalis Fund’s youth giving back program on Dec. 12. The new program connects applicants with a charity of their choosing to volunteer with and donate $500 to. In its first year, funding was split in half to include both youth in the program.

Heather opted give the $250 to Soup’s On, a Steinbach soup kitchen located in the basement of Grace Mennonite Church, because she already volunteered there for roughly a year-and-a-half.

“I go to church at Grace (Mennonite Church), and so that’s always been like a dream of mine to help out with people who don’t have as much as we have,” she said, noting volunteering has made her feel part of a family.

She decided to apply for the new program after her youth pastor mentioned she would be a good fit. The meaningful connections with people in need and learning from their experience has given Heather perspective on how privileged she is at home.

“It just makes me realize how lucky I am to have a family and have enough, and more than enough,” she said.

Heather’s mother, Heidi, said her daughter’s love for volunteering is proof of Heather’s “big heart” and has helped her grow in giving back to her community. She said Heather always looked for ways to take her community involvement to the next level.

“It’s just really amazing to see your children grow and learn and find special ways that they can connect in the community and with others,” she said, while wiping away a tear.

Norma Hildebrand, lead coordinator for Soup’s On’s lunch program, said the charity was honoured to be chosen for the funding. The money will be put to use feeding children in the community, she said. The non-profit has loved having Heather help out, Hildebrand added.

“She is just so great to have around. She works hard. She can find jobs to do. She loves it here. We love having her here,” she said.

Chrysalis Fund advisory board member Emma Dyck was excited when Heather applied for the funding to support the non-profit she cared about.

“We know that there are youth out in the community who are doing amazing things. So this year, we connected with schools, and we connected with youth groups in the community, and we were really pleased to have a number of applications come in,” she said.

The Chrysalis Fund was first founded in 2009 by 11 people. Since then, they’ve grown to 87 members and granted $119,000 to local charities. The new youth program was created to offer a easy way for teenagers to experience philanthropy and introduce them to serving in their community, said board member Lindsey Banman.

“We thought that was a really good, gentle way of getting them into giving back to nonprofits and show how integral they are to supporting community projects and helping people out,” she said.

While the charity had two applications for funding, both were selected, Dyck said there were difficulties driving up awareness of the program because of a limited promotional budget.

She said The Chrysalis Fund reached out to both the Hanover and Seine River School Divisions, but anyone between 18 and 12-years-old living in southeastern Manitoba can qualify.

The second chosen youth decided to give their $250 grant to Cancer Care in Steinbach.

To apply, youth must nominate a non-profit in the Southeast that they would like to support and volunteer with, Dyck said.

The youth giving back program application deadline closes in October 2026 and recipients are chosen by early December so they can volunteer over the school winter break.