The 19th annual event saw around 300 Grade 8 students attend inspiring lectures at the University of Guelph.

Jeff Martin wants youth to learn to live with purpose.

A motivational speaker and former police officer, Martin believes there are two ways of living: with purpose, or on purpose.

Living on purpose means showing up because you’re supposed to. Living with purpose means showing up for someone else.

“When we live with purpose, we can make a bigger impact in this world,” he said. “(It) has nothing to do with how much money you have, has nothing to do with your position. You might be class president. It has nothing to do with that.”

But it has everything to do with you deciding to lift people up, to help those around you, he said.

Showing up for others, and yourself, was the theme of a talk he delivered on Thursday to around 300 Grade 8 students from 12 schools across Guelph and Wellington County during the 19th Youth Symposium.

The event is organized annually by the Child Witness Centre, which provides trauma-informed support for youth and their families as they go through the criminal justice system. Other speakers included Chris Gray and Christene Lewis.

Each year it aims to teach students about resilience, healthy coping skills, self-worth, and the power of their voice.

Throughout his talk, Martin encouraged students to recognize the value of community, to find their self worth, and to help others find theirs.

For example, there are security guards stationed at a grocery store he frequents with his family. One clearly doesn’t want to be there. Another greets every single person in the same way: with kindness, care and enthusiasm.