Sackville volunteer helps shape community health

Sackville’s Julia Bowes is about to embark on a teaching career and she plans to draw on her experience with the Cobequid Community Health Board (CHB) to help her students.

Six years ago, Julia wanted to give back and volunteer more, soshe joined the Cobequid CHB.  

One of her earliest projects with the CHB remains one of the most memorable: helping create a vaping report card to assess how the province was responding to youth vaping. The issue was prominent in her high school at the time.

“It was a health and safety concern for all parties involved,” Julia says. “Publishing that report card was the first time I felt like I was actually doing something and making a difference.”

Julia graduated this spring from Dalhousie University with a bachelor of science, double majoring in biology and French. She recently began Mount Saint Vincent University’s new accelerated bachelor of education program and hopes to teach high school French immersion and biology.

She first heard about her local CHB from a school guidance counsellor. With most volunteer opportunities cancelled during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CHB’s virtual meetings still offered her an opportunity to get involved.

Julia became especially interested in the wellness fund process. Each community health board receives funding to distribute to local groups running health‑related programs. Reviewing applications opened her eyes to innovative projects happening close to home.

“There’s a lot of organizations doing really cool things,” she explains. “You learn about programs and initiatives you had no idea existed.”

Interestingly, some of the most eye opening applications came from local schools. Julia learned about programs such as cooking classes for food insecure families and a boxing program at Millwood High School. She also discovered SchoolsPlus, a support program connecting students and families with social services.

“It’s good to know what resources are out there so you can connect your students to them,” Julia says.

She also emphasized the CHB’s structure makes it accessible for students balancing school, work and extracurricular activities. Meetings are held monthly and members can choose how many subcommittees or additional tasks to take on.

“They’re very understanding of your schedule,” Julia points out.

She recently completed her maximum term (two three‑year appointments) and hopes more young people will consider joining. Youth voices, she says, are welcomed and needed.

“They’re always looking for people who can offer that unique perspective,” she says. “You’re treated like an adult. They’re very respectful of your opinion.” 

Photo of Julia Bowes.