The purpose of the MEDLIFE Chapter at Lakehead Orillia is to create a space for students to engage with global health, service, and social justice in a way that is ethical, educational, and grounded in community partnership. Many students are interested in health equity and poverty alleviation but are unsure how to engage responsibly without reinforcing harm or unequal power dynamics. MEDLIFE exists to support student learning while centering community-led initiatives and local leadership. Rather than positioning students as problem-solvers, the organization emphasizes collaboration, humility, and long-term engagement. The Chapter’s purpose is to help students better understand systemic inequities while participating in programming and service-learning experiences that prioritize dignity, accountability, and partnership with communities. The goals of the MEDLIFE Chapter at Lakehead Orillia shall be: - To support and extend MEDLIFE’s mission and its core initiatives (including the Smiles Movement, Safe Homes Movement, and Engaged Education) within the university community, with a focus on learning about community-led approaches to health, education, and housing equity. - To transform student volunteering and community engagement through a collaborative and reflective approach that emphasizes listening, understanding root causes of inequity, and mutual learning rather than one-directional service. - To raise awareness, fundraise responsibly, and mobilize students for ethical engagement, fostering an inclusive and action-oriented campus culture grounded in social responsibility, accountability, and partnership.