Community Service
One of the key components of a YMCA exchange is that, whether you’re visiting another part of Canada or hosting students here in Quebec, a full day of community service must be planned for all participants.
This volunteering element is an essential part of the experience. It encourages students to connect with their host community in a meaningful way, fostering empathy, teamwork, and a sense of civic responsibility. By contributing their time and effort, students learn that giving back is just as rewarding as receiving new experiences. It also allows them to see firsthand how small actions — like cleaning a local park, helping at a food bank, or supporting a community event — can make a real difference. For many participants, the community service day becomes one of the most memorable and impactful parts of the exchange. It strengthens the bonds between visiting and host students, promotes understanding across regions, and helps young people develop a lifelong appreciation for volunteering and community engagement. Visit our student exchange facebook page at www.facebook.com/QHS studentexchange
QHS students helping to clean up along the shores of Hornby, as well as helping prepare and clean debris from the mountain biking trails.
Federal Minister Yves Duclos Visits QHS
In preparation for the visit of Liberal Minister Yves Duclos, Hornby Island student Eva Zielinski and QHS student Hugo Turner-Dufour prepared a slideshow presentation featuring data on the reduction of herring stocks and what they identified as overfishing during the spawning season. Eva shared that her family makes a living on the ocean and has witnessed firsthand the shrinking spawning grounds. “The herring are at the bottom of a long food chain—eagles, seals, sea lions, salmon, bears, and orca whales all depend on a healthy herring population,” she explained. Minister Duclos, a former Laval University professor, sat in the front row and, like a good student, had a notebook in hand, taking notes throughout the presentation. “This was an incredible opportunity for us as educators to teach the students how to approach our local elected representatives. The students sent an official request to the Minister and were thrilled when they received confirmation that he would gladly come and listen to their concerns. From there, they got to work and began preparing their joint presentation,” said QHS chaperone Chantal Lacasse. After the presentation, Minister Duclos held a 30-minute question-and-answer session with the students. “I am very impressed and encouraged by this presentation. It is important that students participate like you have here today,” Duclos told them. The presentation concluded with an official request from the students that the Minister help relay their message to the Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Hon. Diane Lebouthillier. “I’ve taken notes, and I would like you to send me your PowerPoint. I commit to you today that I will have a conversation with my colleague at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and you will receive a reply,” Minister Duclos assured them.
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