What our DPGs were up to this October
November 07, 2022
November 07, 2022
Gathering together to give back to their communities
Our Developing Professionals Group (DPG) has kept busy this October! A chapter-based network, the DPG is open to anyone at Stantec. Local chapters plan and execute events in their communities to give back to where they live and work. Active chapters span the globe, from Australia to the Netherlands, Abu Dhabi to Canada, Argentina to Turkey—wherever we have an office, we’re bound to have a DPG.
In Burnaby, British Columbia, the local DPG took part in an afternoon of volunteering with the Edible Garden Project, a program of the North Shore Neighbourhood House in North Vancouver. With the help of volunteers, the project’s able to grow and donate over 6,000 pounds of fresh produce annually—produce that’s available to over 1,200 vulnerable residents each month. “Our DPG often does several volunteering functions a year, and we stumbled upon this project completely randomly,” Lily Pham, process engineer in training in our Burnaby office, said. “We were searching for something outdoors and decided to pick this organization. It seemed like a great cause in addition to a great group bonding experience!”
During the event, the team raked leaves, pulled out weeds, and prepared the soil for winterization.
In Reading, UK, the DPG runs the Peter Brett Foundation (PBF). Since 2015, the foundation’s delivered career mentoring sessions to two local schools. “The purpose of PBF is to inspire, inform, and prepare young people for careers in the built and natural environment,” Josie Edwards, assistant environmental consultant in the Reading office said. “Mentoring students is such a fun and enriching experience as the students really benefit from the program, and the mentors from Stantec can directly support their growth.”
The PBF sessions include focused content on careers, next steps after school, building confidence, networking, our digital footprint, mock interviews, and CVs. Each mentor is matched with two students, who attend the school for an hour session, once per month, running for eight or nine months.
And finally, in Toronto, Ontario, employees contributed to the Thanksgiving Food Drive where several large boxes full of much needed items were donated to the Daily Bread Food Bank (Daily Bread). First established in 1983, Daily Bread’s grown to become one of Canada’s largest food banks and supplies food to nearly 200 food programs across Toronto. Through its research and advocacy, the organization’s become a key thought leader locally, provincially, and nationally on issues about hunger, life on low income, housing, and income security.
We love to see what our employees are doing out in their communities, especially together as a team.
Read more about what Stantec employees are doing around the globe and how Stantec supports them.