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Giving Back Stories

2023 Stories

Seneca Polytechnic sells out first-ever Fire Service Career Camp

Sept. 11, 2023

Seneca Polytechnic hosted its inaugural Fire Service Career Camp on Aug. 25, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to diversity and equity in the Ontario Fire Service. This community outreach event aimed to showcase the Seneca Fire Protection programs to underrepresented individuals in the field.

City of Toronto grant helps plant more than 2,600 trees and shrubs on Seneca campuses

July 26, 2023

Seneca Polytechnic’s campuses are greener than ever, thanks to a City of Toronto grant that helped plant more than 2,600 trees and shrubs. The three-year initiative at the Newnham and Seneca@York campuses has created eco-friendly areas that not only mitigate climate change but also support biodiversity.

Hands-on learning workshop brings spring blooms to hospital rooms

June 22, 2023

The Faculty of Continuing Education at Seneca Polytechnic recently held a remarkable workshop that not only sharpened participants' skills, but also made a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Breaking Barriers: Generous Donation Empowers Opticianry Students at Seneca

April 26, 2023

Seneca Polytechnic’s Opticianry program is soaring to new heights with more than 240 full and part-time students, strong industry partnerships, and unparalleled experiential learning opportunities.

The I-Care Project: Bringing New Meaning to Eye Care

April 19, 2023

In 2022, Seneca Polytechnic launched the I-Care Project in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica and the ONESIGHT EssilorLuxottica Foundation, with the aim of educating the Seneca community on the importance of preventing sight loss and prioritizing vision health.

Hammam Spa & Céla establish new award for Seneca esthetics students

Feb. 7, 2023

In 2022, Hammam Spa and its skincare line, Céla, collaborated with students and faculty in the School of Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry to create an anti-aging face oil using Canadian-sourced ingredients like red maple bark extract, sweet almond, jojoba, cranberry seed and meadowfoam oil.

Together, we RISE

Jan. 30, 2023

In partnership with Scotiabank, Seneca HELIX is transforming the future for women and individuals from underrepresented groups.

2022 Stories

Reflecting on generosity: Thank you to our 2022 Opticianry donors

Dec. 15, 2022

A Seneca education prepares graduates for a world of work that has seen huge disruptions. As a community, we must ensure that Seneca is a place of opportunity for everyone. We must also continuously invest in our students — not just for their own bright futures, but for the betterment of our communities, province, country and the world.

Celebrating HELIX donors

Dec. 14, 2022

Since 2014, HELIX, Seneca’s innovation and entrepreneurship incubator, has supported Seneca students, graduates and members of the community in developing their innovation mindset. HELIX’s engaging innovation programming enables participants to grow and develop as an entrepreneur or intrapreneur.

Providing free eye care to students

Dec. 7, 2022

More than 2.7 billion people worldwide do not have access to the visual correction they need. You may not know you need a vision correction until after you have had one.

The AOE continues to support Seneca students

Dec. 6, 2022

The Academy of Ophthalmic Education is offering two bursaries worth $1,000 each to Seneca opticianry students in 2023. The Greater Toronto Area-based organization, which provides continuing education seminars to eye health professionals, has provided financial support to 14 Seneca opticianry students since 2019.

HELIX Catalyst Fund supports Seneca’s future entrepreneurs

Nov. 1, 2022

Twenty-one accelerating HELIXers have received over $91,000 in HELIX Catalyst Fund micro grants. This funding allows HELIX entrepreneurs at any stage of their business development — from validating their idea to launching and scaling.

The Meeting Place

Oct. 21, 2022

We’re #SenecaProud to have welcomed representatives from TD to Newnham Campus for a ceremony to name the third floor at CITE, The Meeting Place, in proud collaboration with TD.

Newest recipients of HELIX Catalyst Fund announced

Aug. 22, 2022

Through the HELIX Catalyst Fund, micro grants are awarded to HELIXers in the ACCELERATION Strand to help them at any stage of their business, from validating their idea to launching or scaling.

Forest garden at Seneca inspires students to lead

May 20, 2022

Project funded by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and WWF-Canada

Seneca, Essilor Canada celebrate project boosting students’ vision

May 10, 2022

I-Care pilot project will expand to cover more students this fall.

Opticianry students receive ongoing support

May 6, 2022

The Opticians Association of Canada and the Ontario Opticians Association have continued to support five students within the Seneca Opticianry program.

HELIXers benefit from micro grants

May 3, 2022

The second round of funding has been awarded to HELIXers through the HELIX Catalyst Fund.

Vretta renews support for innovation and entrepreneurship at Seneca HELIX

March 31, 2022

For more than 10 years, technology education company Vretta has been supporting innovation and entrepreneurship at Seneca.

2021 Stories

Reflecting on generosity: Thank you to our 2021 Opticianry donors

Dec. 16, 2021

From everyone here at Seneca, thank you to all of our donors who made contributions in 2021 in support of our students.

The King Township Women of Influence Giving Circle returns to support students

Dec. 15, 2021

On Friday, Dec. 10, Seneca's King Township Women of Influence Giving Circle gathered virtually for their annual pitch-presentation meeting to learn about initiatives at King Campus requesting their financial support.

Mood Eyewear helping Opticianry students focus on their careers

Nov. 8, 2021

Being able to practise on a variety of eyeglass frames donated by Mood Eyewear is giving first-year students in Seneca’s Opticianry diploma program the hands-on experience they will need to work in their chosen field.

Students in residence receive welcome surprise from Umbra

Oct. 28, 2021

Umbra donates items to Seneca students in residence after a difficult lockdown to make them feel more at home.

Seeing the impact of giving

Sept. 13, 2021

Support from the Academy of Ophthalmic Education (AOE) is providing a helping hand to students studying in Seneca’s Opticianry diploma program during the pandemic.

2020 Stories

Putting the right frame on hands-on learning

Nov. 19, 2020

Learn how Opticianry students are benefiting from Mood Eyewear’s generosity.

Seneca partners with the Institute of Municipal Assessors

Nov. 6, 2020

The Institute of Municipal Assessors is teaming up with Seneca HELIX and Career Recharge to offer virtual professional development workshops to GTA members.

Opticianry students learning on iPads

Oct. 30, 2020

In 60 seconds, students can capture all necessary measuring parameters thanks to a donation from ZEISS.

Opticianry students receive support from industry and donors

Oct. 13, 2020

A new financial award will help Opticianry students with their education, thanks to contributions from industry and donors.

Relief funds help HELIXers during COVID-19

Sept. 18, 2020

HELIXers in the ACCELERATION Strand are getting a helping hand in their entrepreneurial and startup journeys thanks to relief funding.

2019 Stories

Raptors founder takes part in HELIX Speaker Series

Dec. 11, 2019

John Bitove Jr., founder of the Toronto Raptors, recently retraced the journey of how he secured Canada’s first National Basketball Association team during a HELIX Speaker Series event.

New photo styling lab gets a $25,000 glam shot

Dec. 2, 2019

Hundreds of Seneca students from five academic programs will soon benefit from a new photo styling lab thanks to generous employee donations.

Virtual reality wins at annual Giving Circle voting meeting

Nov. 28, 2019

A virtual reality (VR) project aimed at improving public speaking won this year's King Township Women of Influence Giving Circle $10,000 grant.

KPMG Foundation values experiential learning

Nov. 22, 2019

The KPMG Foundation is contributing to Seneca 360 in order to support the next generation of consulting professionals.

Entrepreneur gives back to Seneca’s on-campus incubator

Nov. 5, 2019

Entrepreneur Christian Navarro is giving back to HELIX, Seneca’s on-campus business incubation hub, which provided support as he developed his business venture.

Past Stories