One Ontario career college has a pretty unique way of brightening days.

The National Institute of Esthetics, a private career college in Ancaster, takes a hands-on approach to helping people in the community. The student clinic, which has the students doing services on the public at reduced rates, offers free services to individuals undergoing cancer treatments, or who are off work due to cancer recovery.

“It’s our way of giving back,” said Dean Sherry Docherty. “The students are very well trained, and have a lot of hands on experience before they are even allowed to do services in the student clinic.” 

 The individuals undergoing the cancer treatments are required to bring a doctor’s form indicating that they are appropriate candidates for the services.

 Megan Fleischman is a student set to graduate in April 2010. She has worked on a few individuals with cancer.

 “It makes me feel really good – not only because it’s free for them, but you know they really appreciate it. The truth is they struggle,” said Fleischman. “And anything we can do to help them feel better, really makes us feel good also.”

 Talya Guitard, another student set to graduate in April, agrees. Guitard was very moved after her first service on an individual with cancer.

 “I cried that night when I got home. I have an aunt who died of cancer, and so this really hit home to me,” she said. “It reminded me why I came into this industry in the first place.”

It must be exciting to be part of something so huge. When the 21st Olympic Winter Games kicked off in Vancouver last Friday, two Ontario career college graduates were there to lend support.

Tiffany Vitez, a Registered Massage Therapist, will be working with athletes at the Games. Vitez graduated from Medix School’s Massage Therapy Program in August of 2008. She will provide massages to both the ski and hockey teams.

Vitez isn’t the only grad to head west for Vancouver 2010. 

After graduating from Willis College, Zaid Hilfi moved to British Columbia. He landed a job with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics as a Desktop Deployment Technician.

“I appreciate the time and enthusiasm the staff and instructors contributed toward my training as an IT Professional at Willis College – Ottawa Campus,” said Hilfi. “It’s wonderful to be part of something as big as the Olympics for Canada, and especially in Vancouver.”

A good news story about private career colleges made headlines in today’s Toronto Star. Reporter Nancy J. White caught up with six people who lost their jobs in 2008, including Pamela Kemperle. Once a laid-off factory worker, Kemperle returned to school with the assistance of a government retraining program. Today, Kemperle is a graduate of Medix School’s Medical Office Assistant program and now happily employed at an Oshawa medical centre. Click here to read the story.

PHOTO by the Hamilton Spectator. Five-year old Shay-Lynn Franko's plate is topped off with gravy

This time of year is really about helping others.

About 30 students and chefs from Liaison College recently partnered up with staff from the Hamilton Spectator to serve nearly 500 kids with turkey and all the fixings at Hess Street Public School.

“The food was fantastic but the reaction of these kids was even better. Many had seconds and thirds and some were trying turkey or gravy for the first time,” noted the Spectator’s Editor-in-Chief David Estok in a December 12 column.

The newspaper’s photographers and reporters created a poignant online slideshow of the event. Click here to watch it.

On that note, have a wonderful holiday!