Last night the finalists from the Grade 9 Civics classes presented their YPI: Youth Philanthropy Initiative projects.  This is the second year that Ridley has participated in YPI.  The Youth Philanthropy Initiative is a grant-based program where students research local, grassroots, social service organizations and compete for $5000.00 by creating presentations that aim to convince judges why their organization should receive the grant.  Earlier in the term the students formed their groups, picked a local charity to research, interviewed the people who work for the organization and the people who benefit from the organization and then they made presentations to their individual class.  Six groups in total were chosen as the finalists to present last night in front of parents, faculty, classmates and a representative from YPI.  The groups used powerpoint, videos and persuasive speeches to encourage the judges to pick their charity.  This year, the group representing The Child Advocacy Centre of Niagara was chosen to receive the $5000.00 grant.  The Child Advocacy Centre is a safe place for children and youth to speak to a trained professional about allegations of abuse.  All of the presentations were well thought out and conveyed the passion that the students had developed for the organization they represented.  Congratulations to the finalists representing Red Roof Retreat, The RAFT, McNally House Hospice, Heart Niagara,  Adolescent Support Services of Niagara and to the winning group made up of Yunlin Ji, Fiona Adams, Annie Hinan, Tamara Butera representing Child Advocacy Centre Niagara. Watch the video below to get an idea of what the presentations were like: