Students in the Woodshop Club at Bishop P.F. Reding Catholic Secondary School are demonstrating the power of compassion in action. In collaboration with Lighthouse for Grieving Children and Families, a grief support organization located in Oakville, students designed and built a wind phone to support youth and families experiencing loss.
The wind phone was installed at Lighthouse and officially unveiled on May 7, 2026, during a gathering that brought together students, staff, and community members.
What is a Wind Phone?
A wind phone is an unconnected phone, installed in a quiet, reflective space. People grieving the loss of a loved one can use the phone as comforting way to express their emotions, offering an opportunity for healing.
The project was the result of an ongoing partnership between Lighthouse and the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB). The idea to create a wind phone was first introduced by Lighthouse’s Program and Services Committee, and students from Bishop Reding’s Woodshop Club were invited to bring the vision to life.
A shared goal throughout the project was ensuring students played a central role in creating something special that would support other youth and families in the community.
Students Matteo Mayer and Lucas Freitas, who worked on the project alongside their woodshop teacher Sam Mamone, attended the unveiling to officially install the wind phone and see the impact of their work firsthand. “Working on the wind phone has meant a lot to us. Giving back to the community was our main driving force with this project,” shared Lucas.
Both students expressed their appreciation for the work Lighthouse does and their hope that the wind phone will provide comfort and encouragement to those who use it. “I think the Lighthouse community is amazing, and the wind phone is a great motivator for people to start speaking about problems they may be going through,” said Matteo.
Teacher Sam Mamone spoke about the importance of community involvement within the Woodshop Club. “There’s always a way to give back. It comes with the shoes you wear as a woodshop teacher, and I want to teach my students those lessons early.”
This project is a powerful example of youth supporting youth. With the creation of the wind phone, the community now has a dedicated space to reflect, remember, and begin to heal while navigating grief and loss.
Thank you to the Bishop Reding Woodshop Club, Lighthouse for Grieving Children and Families, Lighthouse Programs and Services Committee, and everyone involved in bringing the vision of the wind phone to life.