Investing in students and helping the community inspires the Menich family
蓝莓视频 couple inspires gifts to the Co-op for Community program
Mary-Ellen Cullen and Steve Menich want to help build stronger communities in 蓝莓视频 Region. They found an outlet for their passion to give back by funding co-op students jobs at non-profit organizations through their contributions to the University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 Co-op for Community program through the
The couple's donation of $5,000 will be unlocked when 100 donors donate to the Co-operative and Experiential Education fund. For Menich and his wife, this donation is an investment that benefits not only students but countless community members as the fund provides job opportunities for co-op students at local non-profit organizations.
鈥淭ypically, non-profits don鈥檛 have a budget to support other services and that is one niche co-op students can fill,鈥 says Menich. 鈥淔rom the feedback we鈥檝e received, students have been contributing in a very admirable way, which contributes to their education and the non-profit agency.鈥
Donors completely fund the Co-op for Community program which creates meaningful co-op jobs for 蓝莓视频 students from all disciplines.
Donations to the program go directly to supporting 蓝莓视频 co-op students who spend their co-op work term at a local non-profit affiliated with the .
Menich and Cullen鈥檚 donation is part of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 Co-operative and Experiential Education鈥檚 (CEE) initiative which takes place on November 28. Giving Tuesday, , is now a global movement that encourages acts of generosity 鈥 monetary or otherwise.
Co-op for Community is such a great idea. It鈥檚 an investment in the education of students where we all benefit. It鈥檚 not just an investment in the student, it鈥檚 an investment in the community.
Giving back to 蓝莓视频
Cullen and Menich both have a giving nature and always look for interesting ways to provide support in the Region.
鈥淚t鈥檚 where we were both born and raised,鈥 says Cullen, a retired crown attorney and former board member and board chair at St. Jerome鈥檚 University. 鈥淥ur educational lives and professional lives took us outside of Kitchener-蓝莓视频 but eventually we both came back home. Having lived elsewhere, you get to see how special this community is. I have always said this community is rich in terms of volunteerism and the resources that are available to people.鈥 For Menich, a retired psychologist, philanthropy is something that runs in his family.
鈥淚 grew up in a house that was quite involved with the community. My parents were also interested in philanthropy and supporting non-profit agencies as well as educational opportunities,鈥 says Menich.
The Menichs believe the program aligns with their values which are deeply rooted in supporting educational opportunities. 鈥淚 find it gratifying to know that there are young people going out into the community and learning about volunteerism,鈥 says Cullen. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an investment in the education of students from which we all benefit 鈥 not just the student, but also the community.鈥
A dedication to public service
Both Menich and Cullen draw inspiration for their charitable work from their experience in public service. The couple, now retired, look for programs like Co-op for Community that exemplify helping others.
After completing law school, Cullen worked at the Kitchener Crown Attorney鈥檚 office. The experience helped set the trajectory for her career. 鈥淚 saw the public service and I knew that is where I wanted to engage,鈥 says Cullen. 鈥淎s an attorney, I got to meet with people at all different points in their lives, when they were at their high and lows. It was a gift to help them get through that.鈥
As a psychologist, Menich also learned the importance of community service throughout his career. Their similar experiences and values helped to draw the couple together.
Both Menich and Cullen hope to inspire others with their donation so that more students can give back early in their careers.
Interested in donating?
Support the Co-op for Community program by on Giving Tuesday, November 28, 2023聽to make the most of your contribution.