NC is taking a stand against gender based violence- and a dozen male employees are ready to step up in brightly coloured shoes to Walk a Mile for Gillian’s Place.<\/p>\n
Numerous initiatives are underway on campus to support Gillian’s Place as part of its annual Walk a Mile campaign, which is marking its twentieth year.<\/p>\n
Leading the charge from NC is Craig Youdale, Dean of Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies, who was selected by Gillian’s Place as an official ambassador for the 2026 Walk a Mile campaign. Youdale also served as an ambassador in 2024 and has been supporting the Gillian’s Place annual pancake breakfast at the St. Catharines Market Square – backed by volunteers from the School of Culinary Arts and Benchmark behind the griddle – for the past 10 years with\u00a0 support from the Community Relations and Event<\/p>\n
“I have always felt that Gillian’s Place does such amazing work and I enjoy finding opportunities to support them,” said Youdale, who noted that the College has been a long-time supporter of Walk A Mile.<\/p>\n
“This is the second time I have been asked to be an ambassador and it’s an honour to try and bring attention to a great organization and an important issue in our community.”<\/p>\n
Under Youdale’s leadership, the ‘NC Walk Stars” have formed – a growing team of more than a dozen staff and faculty members who have volunteered to join Youdale in the Walk a Mile event on Saturday, October 17 at the Pen Centre. To date, the recruits include Duane Bender, Erik Mauke, Jon Downing, Victor Oliveira, Matt Orr, Greg Stout, Gary Torraville, Michael Wales and NC SAC President, Hish Clifford.<\/p>\n
To support the Walk Stars in their fundraising efforts for Gillian’s Place, departments across the College are launching a series of creative fundraising initiatives.<\/p>\n