New partnership supports housing non-profits to hire Environment students

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Libro Credit Union has pledged a gift of $60,000 to support the Global Citizen Internship program to build the capacity of non-profits addressing challenges around affordable housing, health and homelessness in southern Ontario. Libro’s new partnership with the Faculty of Environment will ensure a total of six student placements with Habitat for Humanity and House of Friendship over the next three years.

Libro's commitment to the Faculty of Environment reflects its purpose-led approach to business by reinvesting profits into the communities it serves. Scott Macleod, regional manager of community banking, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership.

"A key priority for us is to enhance access to adequate, safe and affordable housing for all,” said Macleod. "Our investment in this program supports housing initiatives, and it also sees young people gain employable skills that will help them in the future - and that's something! The cross-sector collaboration of this program is unique and the outcomes look promising for everyone involved. We’re especially excited to see how these students apply their ideas to help address some challenging community issues.”

The Global Citizen Internship program facilitates hands-on experiences for committed and passionate undergraduate and graduate students from the Faculty of Environment. Since its inception in 2019, the program has placed over 30 Environment students in organizations spanning Ontario, Yukon, Alberta, and British Columbia that are working to advance one or more of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

"With Libro’s support, nonprofit partners will be able to hire more human resources to tackle community challenges and support the learning and development of our students,” says Michael Wood, Associate Dean of Work Integrated Learning at the Faculty of Environment. "The charitable sector plays a critical role in society’s ability to realize a better world and it’s important for students to be exposed to their important work.”

Student interns bring their energy, knowledge, and skill to the non-profits they enter and have initiated and executed several projects including the research and submission of business cases, establishment of property evaluation and procurement strategies or planning and development of specific affordable housing projects.

"We are grateful for Libro’s partnership so that we can continue to hire talented Environment students that aid us in bringing more affordable housing to the region,” said Philip Mills, CEO of Habitat for Humanity, Waterloo Region.

“Whether it has been providing direct services to people experiencing homelessness or fostering community inclusion by facilitating and coordinating activities, having the support of Global Citizen Interns has been a tremendous opportunity for us and students who grow so much throughout the course of their placement with us,” said Brittany Kovacs, Volunteer manager, House of Friendship.

The collaboration is poised not only to catalyze new ideas and enhance partner capacity but will also embody the cultural shift the university envisions – one that instills collaboration as a mindset and skill, both within the institution and in its students.

"Multi-sector partnerships like this one capture the ethos of Waterloo at 100,” said Bruce Frayne, Dean of the Faculty of Environment. “This partnership is reflective of Waterloo's dedication to addressing global challenges and making meaningful impact globally and locally through collaborative relationships.”