There is a donation program known as the Trades Tree of Compassion running on the UFV Chilliwack campus at the Trades and Technology Center. The Trades Tree of Compassion was created by Leah Whitehouse, a support clerk in the culinary department, to support trades students by providing students in need with donated tools, books, workwear, etc.
“[The Trades Tree of Compassion and the donation box is] at the bottom of the big stairs, right in the big lobby area of the cafeteria,” said Whitehouse.
Working for the University of the Fraser Valley for 22 years, Whitehouse’s first job was at the UFV bookstore at the (now closed) Chilliwack north campus. She has also worked as a janitor and a support clerk. Whitehouse describes her role as a support clerk being the equivalent to a “trades mum” who makes sure students have enough to eat and are healthy.
She has helped students in need by providing meals for students who cannot afford it. Her goal to continue to support students has grown to include running a donation box for students on the CEP campus.
In Whitehouse’s journey working at UFV in various jobs, she identified that trades students specifically need additional support when it comes to getting access to tools and other supplies. Whitehouse has been running this initiative since 2017, with the goal of helping as many students in need as possible.
Whitehouse mentioned that some of the students in the trades program work long hours during the week, need to support their families, and may not be able to afford expensive tools, workwear, boots, etc.
The wooden drop-off box for donations is simple in design, with its name written clearly on the front. Behind the box is a welded tree that hangs on the wall.
The tree hanging on the wall behind the donation box was created by Professor Matt Olafson, with the help of some of his students, for this donation program specifically. Whitehouse said she wanted the tree to not draw unnecessary attention to itself, but still attract students who need the donated goods.
“I talked to the welding department and they were right on board, of course, with making a beautiful sort of symbolism right on the wall there,” said Whitehouse.
Whitehouse refers to the tree as an olive branch, and explained how she wanted to create a support for students that would be less embarrassing, by giving them the opportunity to go through the box and simply take what they need without having to ask for assistance or support.
Some of the items that typically are donated in the Trades Tree of Compassion donation box include tools, tool boxes, books, work attire, safety vests, work gloves, boots, hammers, wrenches, and drills.
“I always have to have a look over it, make sure it’s all certified safe to be used in trades,” Whitehouse explained.
Whitehouse also mentioned how students have also donated items to the Trades Tree of Compassion in the past as a way to pay it forward and help their fellow students.
“I always tell them, hey, when you’re cleaning out your garage or anything like that in the future, remember the donation tree. If it helped you, maybe you can help somebody else,” said Whitehouse.
When asked what she hopes for the Trades Tree of Compassion in the future, Whitehouse explained that she hopes that the legacy of this donation program will continue to grow even after she leaves the institution and that people will help each other more.
“I have lots of kids that come back and they say how much it helped them and they appreciate it,” Whitehouse mentioned.
Whitehouse made it clear that anyone is welcome to donate new or gently used supplies and students are encouraged to come and see what is available in the donation box for them to take and use.
“I love it when I see that the kids are taking from it, ‘cause that tells me that they need it. It’s being used and I’m fulfilling that, which is awesome. It just fills my heart,” said Whitehouse.
Whitehouse is currently the only one running the donation program and she hopes that more students will hear about this support resource in the future. She said that if anyone has questions or wants to contact her to learn more about the Trades Tree for Compassion, they can do so by emailing her at leah.whitehouse@ufv.ca, calling her locally on extension 5452, or at 604-846-5452.
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.
