Meet Sara, this week’s Campus Celeb! This sweetheart is passionate about making a positive impact, both on campus and in the community. Sara is this year’s Director of the 5 Days for the Homeless campaign, which is happening in March, and participates in many other philanthropic endeavors. We got to catch up with this lovely lady to talk more about her experiences!
Name: Sara Cousineau
Age: 22
Year: Fourth and final!
Program: Global Studies
Hometown: Bala, ON
Quote to Live By: “When you have a bad day, a really bad day, try and treat the world better than it treated you.” – Patrick Stump
What is a day in the life of Sara Cousineau?
I bounce back and forth between Waterloo and my boyfriend’s place in Brantford, so I am always on the go. Other than school, I spend a lot of my time volunteering. This year, I am President of Free the Children Laurier and Director of 5 Days for the Homeless, which often feels like a full-time job, but I have never been happier! Most of my days are filled with homework, preparing for the 5 Days campaign taking place from March 11th-March 16th and Laurier’s first Mini We Day, and simply relaxing with friends.
We met back in first year when we were both on House Council in Willison Hall! What would you tell your first year self now that you’re graduating?
As cheesy as it sounds, I would tell myself to be more accepting of who I am. Self-love and self-acceptance are so important, but they are things you can only learn for yourself. Entering my fourth year, I made a promise to myself that I would genuinely love who I am, and if I didn’t, I would be proactive and make changes. I honestly wish there were courses in self-love, because I truly believe life is a lot more fun if you are confident in yourself.
What have you been involved in at Laurier?
I have been involved in 5 Days for the Homeless for four years now. This year, I am Director of the campaign, which is a huge responsibility, but I absolutely love it. This year we are encouraging people to rethink homelessness, because I have truly learned that homelessness is situational, and it can happen to anyone.
I am also President of Free the Children Laurier. This year we are planning a Mini We Day! It is Laurier’s first one and it will be on March 24th, so stay tuned!
I am also involved in the community. I am on the Board of Directors for Argus Residence for Youth, which is an emergency shelter in Cambridge that helps those experiencing homelessness. I also try and make time for an amazing group of students at Northlake Woods Public School, who I met at We Day Waterloo a few years ago! They truly inspire me to make a difference, because these kids are younger than fourteen, and are so inspired to create a positive change in the world.
You were interviewed by the Globe and Mail about your work with Free the Children. Tell me more about that experience!
Yes! It was super cool. They approached me to ask what I have been up to since my trip to Kenya in 2012. I have been involved with Free the Children ever since I was in high school, but recently had the opportunity to work with them at their We Day event in Toronto. We Day, if you don’t know, is an event that runs in cities all around the world to inspire people to make a difference in the world, but also to thank them for what they have done so far.
In the article, I talked about how I got involved with Free the Children and why. The whole organization really excites me because they create opportunities for young people to get involved in making a difference in this world, which is obviously incredible!
What was an integral moment in your life that has shaped your passion for philanthropy and getting involved?
I do not know if it was a specific moment that led me to that or just the way my mother raised me. My mum is one of my favourite people on this planet. She inspires me to live a life not restricted by borders, and to find home wherever I go. She also has always inspired me to fight for the things I am passionate about, or the things I want to change. With that said, she has engrained it into who I am. I cannot really imagine my life any other way.
Where are your favourite places that you’ve traveled to?
I will always be convinced that I left pieces of my heart somewhere among the fields of the Maasai Mara in Kenya.
What song do you love at the moment?
Anything by Kodaline!
What is your most memorable moment at Laurier?
During my first year, I was a Participant for the 5 Days for the Homeless campaign. This experience made me fall in with the Laurier community. Pat, Yanna, Nick, Hannah, and I were supported in every way during the week we lived on campus. People donated full dinners to us, and made sure that we were warm. The support, to this day, literally astounds me.
I only wish that the same love and respect is given to those who are actually experiencing homelessness. That is what we aim to accomplish each and every campaign for 5 Days for the Homeless.
What do you hope to accomplish after graduating?
My values have completely changed since coming into first year. Rather than working internationally, I want to focus on working in homeless shelters right in our community. I have a goal to create a society where all people have the same opportunity to achieve greatness, and that they can go home to a place where they feel safe at night. That’s the dream right now!
Sara is such a kind-hearted inspiration and her positivity is infectious! Her Campus wishes you all the best in your adventures after Laurier!