Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board (NPSC)

For more than 25 years, students at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Catholic Secondary School in the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board (NPSC) have lived their faith through action.  What began in 1999 as a small social-justice group has grown into a student-driven movement rooted in compassion, empathy, and service.

"We started small, with just a few enthusiastic students," explained Mme Krista Lauzon, one of the group's two co-founders along with Mme Suzanne Menard.  "Our early initiatives included clothing drives, Christmas carolling, and preparing bed kits for children in need.  From those humble beginnings, the spirit of service and compassion has continued to grown into the program we are proud of today."

How it works

Bears Who Care runs throughout the school year, with students organizing and delivering several initiatives each month – from food drives and cultural events to community-based campaigns and acts of peer-to-peer support. Mmes Lauzon and Menard continue to guide the process, but students lead the work.

At the heart of the Bears Who Care initiative is a belief that service is most meaningful when it comes from students. Each year, two Grade 12 student leaders are selected to direct initiatives. They represent the group at Student Advisory Council meetings, generate ideas during weekly lunch-hour sessions with Mme Lauzon, and help set agendas for the after-school Bears Who Care meetings.

“All members play an active role in our initiatives,” said Mme Lauzon. “They contribute ideas, volunteer their time, and help create meaningful impact in our school and community.”

The social justice group often partners with local organizations to amplify their reach and support the community’s needs on a larger scale. In May 2025, the Bears Who Care partnered with Knowledge Keeper and community partner George Couchie as well as the Ontario Provincial Police for the Ignite Your Spark campaign, collecting baby items for communities in Northern Ontario. The group concluded the effort with an Ignite Your Spark assembly, where students shared their talents to celebrate community, culture, and giving back.

Impact: A Culture of Compassion That Extends Beyond the School

Over the years, Bears Who Care has grown far beyond its beginnings. The program has become a defining part of school culture – shaping how students see themselves, how they support one another, and how they understand their role in the world. Its influence now reaches families, educators, community partners, and surrounding organizations.

 This past November, that movement was recognized publicly. During YMCA Peace Week, the Bears Who Care were awarded the YMCA Peace Medal, an honour reserved for individuals and groups who demonstrate commitment to empathy, inclusion, and community-building.

 As one educator reflected, receiving the Peace Medal affirmed that, “even the smallest act of care can ripple outward and change a community.”

Learn more

To learn more about this initiative, please contact Gabby King, Communications Officer, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board: kingg@npsc.ca