Editor’s note: This is an edited version of an article published in the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough’s Summer 2025 newsletter and appears here with permission.
On Wednesday evenings throughout the 2024-2025 school year, a group of teens gathered at GreenUP’s space in downtown Peterborough. Around tables strewn with broken electronics, bits of upcycled jewellery, and sewing projects, they tackled big ideas: fast fashion, single-use plastics, and the carbon cost of convenience.
They were taking part in the Youth Climate Action Leadership Series — a program led by GreenUP and supported through a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough. The initiative invited female-identifying, two-spirit, and gender-diverse youth aged 13 to 18 to co-create and lead hands-on workshops on climate action.
“Many schools no longer run climate action programs, and the youth want to have a point of connection,” says Melissa Morris, GreenUP’s education program coordinator. “Through this and past programs, GreenUP has worked to create a safe and inclusive space for young people to gather.”
At a time when many young people are portrayed as anxious and powerless in the face of the climate emergency, these teens are building their power from the ground up through skill-sharing, conversation, and hard questions.
“A lot of people are super scared and (the climate emergency is) such a big topic,” said Lee, a Grade 9 student. “I wanted to join in to learn more about what I could do and then hopefully have more conversations about it with my friends.”
In the first of six sessions, participants identified workshop themes they wished to embark on including slow stitching, sustainable gift-giving, a repair café, and eco-architecture. Those who completed four of the six sessions received a certificate of recognition, but the real reward was learning how to lead through collaboration.
The youth were given real decision-making power, including how to allocate actual funds to projects that mattered to them. When presented with the opportunity to invest a $5,000 grant, they chose to build gardens at the YES Shelter for Youth and Families.
“I did a bunch of research on the YES Shelter for a school project, and I thought they need this more than some others who are more fortunate,” says Morgan, a Grade 12 student who joined the group through an environmental science class.
“We all agreed that it would be a really good idea to put the money here so the residents can have the food and the nice flowers that will be grown in these gardens.”
This wasn’t about providing charity — it was about building solidarity. They wanted to do something local, tangible, and lasting that signalled to the residents that the community cares about them.
“It was very clear that everyone wanted to use the funding on this project,” says Lee. “It’s closer to home. We can imagine ourselves in the situation the residents find themselves in.”
Kathleen Wild, volunteer and donation coordinator at the YES Shelter, says she has seen how the improved space has made a difference to residents and visitors.
“When I started here, it was the tail end of COVID and the yard was very shabby … it was something that I really wanted to improve upon,” she says. “I’m startled at how beautiful the gardens are and how much engagement there is with the community.”
Kathleen recalled one moment that highlighted the impact of the transformation.
“A single father with three kids said to me, ‘I may have to live in a shelter with my family, but this makes it feel like I’m not living in a bad place.’ That was just so heartwarming to hear.”
For those overwhelmed by the climate crisis, Grade 11 student Lucia says, “You absolutely can do something about it. Just doing little things like planting more trees, flowers, and other plants can really help. Even going out into nature and enjoying a walk … can help with your perspective on the matter.”
These youth are doing more than gaining practical skills, they’re quietly repairing something harder to measure: the frayed threads between generations, between community and climate, between the future they’re inheriting, and the world they’re determined to create.
“(People) always say that the youth is the future, and here we are, trying to do good and help others,” Morgan summarizes. “We just need help with it. That’s all we really need. Just more money and support so we can keep doing this.”
Support GreenUP’s work with the next generation of climate leaders. Thanks to a matching campaign through the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, donations to the endowment — the GreenUP Fund — will be matched dollar-for-dollar until December 31, up to $5,000. Learn more at greenup.on.ca/donate-now.
