Karley Stangel, a former summer student at the Community Foundation, gave a testimonial about her experience. She touched on the program gave students real responsibility and creative freedom. We feel her words emphasize the impactful work and opportunities the students encounter. Please read Karley’s reflection below.
I was honoured to be one of the original summer students at the Foundation in the summer of 2023—an experience that shaped not only my professional skill set but also my sense of purpose and confidence as a leader. Through a balance of thoughtful guidance and immense trust, the Foundation offers students something that is incredibly rare: real responsibility paired with genuine creative freedom. I was given the space to lead, to make decisions, and to learn through doing. As a result, I have since been heavily involved in the planning of more than 14 major Foundation events, presented at the national conference level, spoken on and led panels focused on youth leadership in the non-profit sector, and now taken on management of the student program as a whole. Watching the program grow and evolve, while continuing to support and mentor students, has been one of the most meaningful full-circle moments of my career.
The summer student program is truly one of the most unique, valuable, and special experiences I have ever been part of. The people, the environment, the expertise, the kindness, and the deeply community-centered values all work together to create an immensely empowering culture. The level of trust placed in students is both rare and transformative—you are fully accountable for your work and the impact it creates. It is a lot of pressure, but it is the right kind of pressure. The kind that builds confidence, resilience, and leadership. Quite literally, pressure makes diamonds—and only diamonds come out of this program.
Being part of the Community Foundation team is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that can truly change the trajectory of your career and life. Whether working on day-to-day tasks or large-scale, community-oriented projects, everything you do has a purpose. It is an absolute honour to contribute to this work and to be part of the Foundation’s legacy. I whole-heartedly recommend this program to anyone who is ready to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
The summer student program is truly one of the most unique, valuable, and special experiences I have ever been part of. The people, the environment, the expertise, the kindness, and the deeply community-centered values all work together to create an immensely empowering culture. The level of trust placed in students is both rare and transformative—you are fully accountable for your work and the impact it creates. It is a lot of pressure, but it is the right kind of pressure. The kind that builds confidence, resilience, and leadership. Quite literally, pressure makes diamonds—and only diamonds come out of this program.
Being part of the Community Foundation team is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that can truly change the trajectory of your career and life. Whether working on day-to-day tasks or large-scale, community-oriented projects, everything you do has a purpose. It is an absolute honour to contribute to this work and to be part of the Foundation’s legacy. I whole-heartedly recommend this program to anyone who is ready to be a part of something bigger than themselves.