Saint Mary's University (Halifax ) serves coffee to homeless

Did someone say Coffee?

A van full of Saint Mary’s University students took to the streets of Halifax today to spread some Christmas joy among the less fortunate.

Sporting orange t-shirts and toques, members of the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association (SMUSA) Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Squad will serve coffee to homeless residents of downtown Halifax.

Olivier Jarda, Vice President Academic of the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association (SMUSA), says that this gesture shows students’ dedication to creating harmony in the community, and the strong volunteerism among the students of Saint Mary's. The initiative is being coordinated with the support of the University’s Pride in Our Shared Neighbourhood Committee.

"The Random Act of Kindness program counters some negative aspects that are associated with having a large concentration of university students in a small area of the city," explains Jarda.

"Although students add to the city's culture, vibrancy, and economic growth, the positive aspects students bring to Halifax are often overshadowed by the negatives. This initiative shows that many students believe that it is important to have a positive relationship with those we share the neighbourhood with."

The Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Squad has launched many initiatives in the 2005 academic year, including a highly successful week-long community clothing drive in the South End of Halifax, a community litter clean-up, and serving homemade cookies to the homeless.

"As some of our past initiatives, such as picking up litter from the properties of South End residents with homes, this is an initiative aimed at helping an often neglected demographic, the homeless," adds Jarda.

Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and a vibrant Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

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For More Information:

Paul Fitzgerald
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: paul.fitzgerald@smu.ca
www.smu.ca