Pictured above: Dr. Andrew Robinson, Laurier Brantford; Angee Turnbull, Director of Philanthropy Lansdowne Children’s Centre; and Shelby Do, Laurier Brantford Graduate.

Laurier Brantford Professor, Dr. Andrew Robinson had a plan to create new opportunities for local students graduated from the Human Rights and Human Diversity program. 

He applied for funding for students looking for non-profit agencies locally by subsidizing their income over a 4-month work experience with a not-for-profit institution. Of course, the plan was to introduce them to new career paths, explore growth…and there were no guarantees.

Shelby Do went to Assumption in Brantford before becoming accepted at Laurier in the Human Rights and Human Diversity Program. She added a piece of a second major in Journalism because she identified the need to be able to communicate the philosophies she had gained in her major and in part to diversify her university experience. Her plan was effective.

The connection made with Lansdowne Children’s Centre and Laurier was perfect for her. Lansdowne is a local agency dedicated to over 2500 children with developmental, behavioural and physical disabilities. She worked as an assistant to Angee Turnbull, Director of Philanthropy at Lansdowne over the summer. The relationship developed in perfect harmony with the needs of the institution matching the skills of Shelby. Her accomplishments in publishing software, social media, creative writing skills, attention to the clients in a vulnerable sector and the local connection seemed ideal. In fact, she was assigned grant writing, social media awareness, promotion and fundraising initiatives from the start. She participated in interviews with donors and recipients. She fit in perfectly.

Turnbull met with Executive Director Rita-Marie Hadley and the Foundation Board of Directors to make the case that Shelby’s role was invaluable in taking the fundraising goals of Lansdowne to the next level. Everyone agreed, and Shelby was offered a job, four days each week as Fund Development Coordinator.

“Shelby is an incredible asset to Lansdowne and freed me up to be off site working with the community to develop greater opportunities for our clients.” -Angee Turnbull

Shelby was asked to detail her opportunity and the relationship between Lansdowne and Laurier to a grade 12 class from Assumption. She spoke with humility and articulation:

“When I was at Assumption I played a lot of Tetris in class…don’t do that!” Her advice was to seize new opportunities when you can and explore your interests. And most importantly, “Believe in yourself.”

Congratulations to all partners in this successful achievement.