The program remembered Fethullah Gülen, a thinker and intellectual known internationally for his contributions to education and humanitarian service, while creating space for participants to reflect on themes including education, service, dialogue, compassion and social responsibility.

Youth Leadership at the Heart of the Program

The evening was led and shaped by young people.

GRFS Youth members organized the gathering and contributed through speeches, personal reflections and letters, as well as readings from Fethullah Gülen’s poetry.

Through these contributions, youth explored how education, service, responsibility and compassion can translate into meaningful involvement in their communities.

This youth-led approach reflects an important part of GRFS’s broader work: creating opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills, express their ideas, volunteer, engage with others and take active roles in community life.

Education, Service and Dialogue

A central theme of the program was the relationship between ideas and action.

Speakers reflected on Gülen’s emphasis on education and service and discussed how values can become meaningful when they encourage people to learn, volunteer, support others and contribute positively to society.

The program also explored the role of dialogue in building stronger and more connected communities, emphasizing listening, mutual respect and constructive relationships among people from different cultural, religious and social backgrounds.

These themes connect closely with GRFS’s ongoing work in education, mentorship, youth development, intercultural dialogue, volunteerism and community engagement.

We were pleased to welcome Ünal Öztürk, Chairman of the Northern Civic Federation, who joined the gathering and shared remarks with participants.

A Special Contribution from Our Youngest Participants

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was a surprise video featuring some of our younger participants.

Children were asked questions about Fethullah Gülen, and their sincere and spontaneous responses brought both smiles and thoughtful moments to the gathering.

Their answers created a meaningful intergenerational moment and demonstrated how children and youth can bring their own perspectives to conversations about education, kindness, service and responsibility.

Creating Space for Youth to Lead

For GRFS, community programs are also opportunities to help young people develop confidence, communication skills, leadership and a sense of social responsibility.

This gathering provided young people with the opportunity not simply to attend an event, but to plan, organize, speak, write, reflect and bring members of their community together.

We thank GRFS Youth for their leadership, Ünal Öztürk for joining the program, and all of the volunteers, families, youth and community members who contributed to the evening.

Through education, mentorship, dialogue, volunteerism and youth leadership, Grand River Friendship Society continues to create opportunities for people of different generations and backgrounds to learn from one another and contribute to stronger, more connected communities.

Together, we learn. Together, we serve. Together, we build stronger communities.

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Through volunteering, connecting with participants, and representing GRFS at the event, our youth had another opportunity to experience the importance of community involvement while supporting the continuing legacy of Terry Fox and the collective effort to advance cancer research.

Four Years of Youth Volunteer Engagement

What began as an opportunity for young people to volunteer has grown into a meaningful annual tradition for GRFS youth.

This year, it was encouraging to see even more people participating, young volunteers becoming involved, and members of the wider Kitchener community coming together around a shared cause.

For GRFS, experiences such as the Terry Fox Run provide young people with opportunities to develop responsibility, communication, teamwork, and leadership while seeing first-hand how individual contributions can create a broader community impact.

Connecting With Our Community

GRFS also hosted a table at the event, creating an opportunity to connect with participants and share information about our youth initiatives, community programs, and upcoming projects.

We were grateful to welcome Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and former Kitchener Centre Member of Parliament Mike Morrice to the GRFS table during the event. Mayor Vrbanovic continues to serve as Mayor of Kitchener, while Morrice represented Kitchener Centre in Parliament from 2021 to 2025.

Their visits provided an opportunity for our youth and volunteers to speak about some of the work taking place within GRFS and the ways young people are contributing to the community.

Do A Favour: Turning Ideas Into Action

The event also highlighted Do A Favour, a GRFS youth leadership initiative for students in Grades 6–12.

Do A Favour encourages young people to move beyond ideas and take meaningful action in their communities. Through volunteering, youth-led projects, service opportunities, and community engagement, participants strengthen leadership skills, build friendships, develop confidence, and learn the value of contributing to causes larger than themselves.

Participation in the Terry Fox Run reflects that philosophy in action: young people giving their time, working alongside others, and contributing to a longstanding Canadian community initiative.

Growing Through Service

Community service is an important part of youth development at GRFS. Experiences outside the classroom allow young people to meet new people, understand different community needs, and recognize the positive role they can play in the places where they live.

The Terry Fox Run continues to provide a particularly meaningful setting for that learning, bringing together people of different ages and backgrounds around hope, perseverance, and a shared commitment to supporting cancer research.

A sincere thank you to all of the GRFS youth, Do A Favour participants, mentors, and volunteers who contributed their time and energy to another memorable Kitchener Terry Fox Run.

We are proud to see our young people continuing to learn, serve, connect, and make a difference in their community.

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In a busy world, this evening will create a gentle pause—space for young people and older adults to meet, talk, laugh, and make something beautiful together. It’s a chance to honour the wisdom of our seniors, uplift their spirits, and show our youth the joy of giving their time and attention.

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Throughout the night, everyone took turns at the table—practising their shots, cheering one another on, and laughing at the “almost!” moments. Our mentor shared tips and encouragement, helping students build confidence, patience, and good sportsmanship with every game.

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Experiences like this help prepare our youth for the next chapter of their education and inspire them to dream bigger. We are proud of our students and grateful to our mentors for their guidance and dedication.

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From reading circles and movie nights to seminars, crafts, puzzles, and sharing sessions, every camp created beautiful moments of friendship and growth.

Our mentors guided the participants through inspiring activities that strengthened confidence, teamwork, and belonging.
Together, we celebrated what makes our community special — unity, kindness, and joy!

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Each table had the question “What are you thankful for?” to spark conversations, and there was a wall where students could draw their friends. We ended the night by giving thank-you letters to each of our guests for their participation in the event.

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Even when the score isn’t in our favor, love shows up: showing respect for the game, lifting each other’s spirits, and choosing unity over frustration. That’s love in action—Love is a Verb.

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Together with the residents, our students painted side-by-side, crafted lovely bracelets, and brightened the space with fresh flowers and heartfelt smiles. The simple acts of sharing time and creating together led to unforgettable memories and meaningful conversations.

Love isn’t just something we feel — it’s something we do. At GRFS, we believe that Love is a Verb, and this visit was a beautiful example of how kindness can bloom across generations.

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Hosted at Rim Park and led by dedicated mentors, the three-hour tournament was packed with energy, excitement, and moments of friendly competition. Students played with heart, respect, and summer joy — showing that sports can build more than just skills; they build friendships.

When we cheer each other on and show up with kindness, it’s more than a game — it’s love in action. At GRFS, we believe that Love is a Verb — and it shows up on and off the field.

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