Vancouver’s business community has been a major supporter of We Day, one of the largest youth leadership gatherings in Canada, for the second year in row. The event launches a full year of activities by school groups across the country.
One of the key business leaders spearheading support for the event is Lorne Segal, president of Kingswood Properties Ltd. and chair of We Day in Vancouver. His enthusiasm and passion for the work of Free the Children and its founders Craig and Marc Kielburger is apparent the moment he speaks about his involvement.
“These are two of the best examples of contemporary leadership I can think of addressing kids to make a difference.”
The direct involvement of the Segal family began in 2007 after they went on a volunteer trip to Free the Children’s development projects in Kenya to help build a school and work on a clean water project. Segal has since spent an inordinate amount of time rallying Vancouver’s business community to support Free the Children’s various youth leadership and community development programs.
His efforts to rally financial support have enabled more than 18,000 youth in B.C. to attend We Day for free.
This year’s We Day event speakers include former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore, Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., actor Martin Sheen, as well as Rick Hansen, the Keg’s David Aisenstat and Segal himself.
Despite the recession, Segal said an increasing number of business leaders are recognizing the social and business benefits of supporting youth leadership events and organizations like We Day and Free the Children.
“Companies have to collectively decide where to put their resources. It’s not just an individual decision. Many over the past year – which has been a tough year – said they were going to commit, in some cases, their largest community commitment.
"It’s not an easy decision to make but it’s a matter of finding the right fit and, when you do, the job becomes easier. The challenge with lining people up is making sure their values are in line. When they are, people, like all of us, stretch within our limits when there is a reason to stretch.”