The Youth in Philanthropy program at Garden Valley Collegiate is back this year and helped raise over $1,000 for local non-profits.

The YiP program had been on hiatus since the two Winkler high schools split.

"So we're really excited what we've done for our first year," teacher Amy Warms explains.

The students chose to support Big Brothers Big Sisters through sponsoring the GO Girls program, as well as helping purchase a new washer and dryer at Central Station Community Centre.

Funds were also allocated to Katie Cares to purchase toys, as well as three smaller grants to Salem Foundation, Winkler Day Care and South Central Regional Library.

"We really wanted to have more money to support their causes, but maybe next year we'll have more to grant," Warms explains.

To raise the money YIP members hosted fundraiser bbq, bake sale and sold roses at Valentine's day.

YiP Member Isabel Wallace says it was a chance to get involved in the community.

"Just getting out there really changes your perspective on what you think your community is," she says. "You might not understand there are needs in our community... you don't think about it."

Sponsoring Big Brothers Big Sisters was especially meaningful, Wallace explains as it helps students.

"We just liked the idea that the kids that would be helped were in junior high and could potentially come to GVC and be a part of Youth in Philanthropy."