Since its launch in December 2024, Bags to Beds has unequivocally cemented itself as one of UCC’s most successful student-led organizations, tangibly supporting homeless individuals in the GTA one mat at a time. In its two-year timeframe, Bags to Beds has repurposed over 26,000 bags, garnered the support of 261 volunteers, and received the prestigious IB Global Youth Action Fund Award of 2025 for its efforts. In our interview with the incoming Chief Officer of Bags to Beds Winston Chan (Year 10), it’s clear that the organization’s ceaseless momentum is far from stagnating.
Hosting around six sessions every week—double that of last year—Bags to Beds has continued its pursuit to reduce homelessness and have undoubtedly made tangible steps closer to its goal. “Consistency. That’s all there is to it.” Winston explains. “The genuine shared connection of mitigating homelessness and making an impact across each session is what shapes our community for service…. We’re slowly forming a positive feedback loop where we get bigger and bigger as a community, and our impact becomes more and more noticeable.”
This academic year, Bags to Beds has launched a variety of noteworthy events. In the first term, they started off strong with the inaugural Bags to Beds Sleepout. Partnering with Covenant House, Canada’s largest organization supporting youth-facing homelessness, the event not only provided a first-hand perspective on the challenges faced by homeless communities, it fundraised over $11,000 across the span of two weeks. Winston noted “This event really set the momentum for the rest of the year. It was one of our largest successes to date.”
The organization has also heavily prioritized initiatives within the college, such as the Boarder’s Bash and Kinderquest, spreading their civic responsibility to every corner of the campus and to students of all ages. As of early March, the program expanded to St. Andrew’s College, already repurposing 1,100 bags and gaining a new partner in their mission to provide mattresses for the homeless.
With the torch now being passed down to Winston Chan and a new cohort of like-minded service students, there are exciting new initiatives on the horizon. For the start of 2026–2027 year, the team plans to continue the Sleepout, along with a blanket drive and fundraising event with Covenant House. After securing a partnership with SAC, Winston also wants to continue to start new chapters at other COSSOT Schools.
“When we turn waste into warmth, we’re doing more than making mats—we’re showing that compassion, environmental responsibility, and awareness can work in conjunction to create hope. One mat. One bag. And one life at a time.”
The Blue and White 