TOYBOX Welcomes Hephzibah Onafowora!

Hello everyone!   My name is Hephzibah Onafowora, and I’m excited to be joining the TOYBOX team this summer as a Project Development Officer / Safety Analyst!

SIP interns (Hephzibah front, right)

I’m a first-year student in the Faculty of Science at the University of Manitoba, where I’m exploring my interests in science, community engagement, and creating meaningful learning experiences. I love opportunities that allow me to make a positive impact while learning new skills, which is why I’m so excited to be part of TOYBOX this summer.  

Throughout my internship, I’ll be working on a variety of projects, including developing resources, supporting project planning, helping with safety initiatives, and learning more about how TOYBOX uses play-based learning to support children’s growth and development. I’ll also have the opportunity to introduce TOYBOX to other Summer Internship Program participants during a site visit, giving them a closer look at the work we do.  

One experience I’m especially looking forward to is working with a local daycare and helping film a video that highlights TOYBOX’s impact. I’m excited to see our programs in action, connect with educators and children, and help share the story of how learning through play can make a real difference.

Outside of work and school, I enjoy drawing, painting, cooking, baking, and spending time with friends and family. I also love volunteering and getting involved in projects that bring people together and create positive change in the community.   I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the TOYBOX team this summer. I look forward to learning from everyone, contributing to the amazing work being done here, and growing both personally and professionally throughout the experience.

Thank you for welcoming me to TOYBOX and I can’t wait to see what this summer has in store!

SIP breakfast  

On July 6, I had the opportunity to attend the Summer Internship Program (SIP) Welcome Breakfast at The Winnipeg Foundation, where interns and advisors from organizations across Winnipeg came together to kick off the summer.  

SIP Interns and Mentors

The morning began with a delicious breakfast from Stella’s Café, giving everyone a chance to settle in, introduce themselves, and start making connections. Although I wasn’t sure what to expect going into the event, I was excited to meet the other interns and learn more about the program.

The Welcome Breakfast was designed to help everyone get to know one another while also providing important information about the Summer Internship Program. Daniel, who leads the SIP program, shared key updates about what we can look forward to throughout the summer and what to expect over the coming weeks. 

After the presentation, we split into two groups, one for interns and one for advisors and mentors. The interns participated in a discussion where we answered a series of questions about ourselves, our placements, and what we hoped to gain from the summer. It was a great opportunity to hear about the different organizations represented in the program and the unique roles each intern would be taking on.

Following the discussion, we participated in a Human Bingo activity, where we walked around the room introducing ourselves and finding people who matched different descriptions on our bingo cards. It was a fun and interactive way to meet everyone while learning interesting facts about each other.

The most memorable part of the morning was connecting with the other interns and hearing about the meaningful work happening across so many organizations in our community. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, and it was inspiring to learn about the different roles each intern would be taking on throughout the summer.

Overall, the Welcome Breakfast was a wonderful way to begin the Summer Internship Program. It created a strong sense of community from the very first day and reminded me that, although we’re all working at different organizations, we’re connected by a shared goal of making a positive impact. I’m grateful to be part of this year’s cohort and excited to continue learning, building new connections, and making the most of this experience. 

On Wednesday, July 22nd, Hephzibah will be hosting TOYBOX's site visit for the Summer Internship Program from 3-4pm.