Students share love on Valentine’s Day at Montreal’s Old Brewery Mission

Students and staff from North Star Academy Laval high school (NSAL) shared love on Valentine’s Day — handing out coffee, lunch and smiles to those experiencing homelessness. 

For the 17th consecutive year, the “NSAL Gives Back” initiative took place outside of Montreal’s Old Brewery Mission shelter.

“Helping people out,” said secondary four NSAL student, Chloe Labelle. “It feels really good.”

“It is my first time doing it,” said Labelle. “It’s a long waiting list to come here and I was lucky enough to be chosen.”

“It felt really good to be helping our community.”

Recognizing the importance of extending kindness to those in need.

School staff lead a group of students downtown for their “NSAL Gives Back” campaign.

“One student came to me 17 years ago,” explained Josée Pepin, NSAL’s Head of School. “And they said, ‘you know miss, they, everybody takes care of them during Christmas but then on the coldest time of the year there’s nobody there’.”

“And I said, ‘well what do you want to do, we’re going to make it happen’,” she added.

“He said, ‘well I’d like to go on Valentine’s Day’.”

“I also like to give the day of love,” added Pepin. “I like to make sure that that’s the day that we give back.”

The lunches, made by the school’s Gourmet Club in the morning.

And the clothing distributed, items collected through their “Wear a Hoodie, Give a Hoodie” initiative.

“Super touching,” said James Hughes, CEO of the Old Brewery Mission. “It’s Valentine’s Day, you know, they’re really bringing the love today to a place where sometimes there isn’t very much.”

The initiative, exemplifying the school’s dedication to making a positive impact.

As they don’t stop on Feb. 14 -– NSAL also donates through various initiatives each month.

Fostering a sense of responsibility among its students.

“To expose young people to the challenge, the complex challenge that is homelessness,” said Hughes. “Is a real beautiful learning opportunity.”

Though it was cold outside, they handed out: warm coats, warm hot chocolate, and warmed up everyone’s hearts.

“We really believe in fostering our community,” said Labelle. “We want to uplift everybody.”