Hospitality students serve up social responsibility

Camosun College

Hospitality Management student Kaitlyn Simons preps for a lunch being served to clients at Our Place.

“After a two-year break due to the pandemic, it feels good to start working again with Our Place,” explains Bradford Boisvert, an instructor in the Hospitality Management program with the School of Business. “Students will plan, organize and serve lunch as part of a lesson in the importance of social responsibility, using hospitality as a vehicle.”

The program’s partnership with Our Place Society first began in 2011 before pausing in 2020 due to the pandemic. The program is restarting with the lunch event scheduled for noon on Thursday, Nov. 10.

“Our Place is reliant on community partners such as Camosun for many of the services and supports we offer to some of Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable populations,” says Julian Daly, Chief Executive Officer of Our Place. “In addition to a tasty lunch, hopefully, the lesson learned in social responsibility continues throughout the students’ careers.”

The Hospitality Management program at Camosun has been giving students applied skills and a global perspective for almost 40 years.

“The hands-on approach and all of the different opportunities to practice different real-world roles is challenging but I feel will prepare me for a career after I graduate,” says Hospitality Management student Kaitlyn Simons. “Giving back to the community is important to me and giving a sense of hope and belonging to our neighbours in need is an important part of who I want to be in my career.”

For more information about the Hospitality Management program, please visit: camosun.ca/hospitality-management