Second-year women’s basketball player Emma Renouf is leading the charge in support of the Shoebox Project for Women on behalf of her fellow Mystics student-athletes.

After suffering an injury that took her out of most of the 2022-23 season, the St. John’s, N.L. native found herself struggling to adapt until she found other ways to contribute to her team and to others.

“It was challenging to adjust to sitting on the sidelines as I was so eager to play and help my team on the court, says Renouf. “I was not used to this big adjustment, and really struggled mentally as I worked to recover. I managed to stay positive by talking with friends and family who kept me on track.”

Learning about the Shoebox Project for Women also helped Renouf find purpose.

“When I was made aware of The Shoebox Project for women last year, I knew immediately that I wanted to be part of this initiative,” says Renouf. “I have always had a strong belief in women supporting women. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to be part of an organization that I strongly believe in and way to unite all Mystics student-athletes in giving back and offering support to those in need.”

Founded in 2011, The Shoebox Project for Women is a Canadian charity that supports women experiencing or who are at-risk-of homelessness, and that celebrates diversity, builds awareness, challenges stigma and promotes equity.

Renouf and her fellow Mystics were busy in November and early December soliciting donations of shoe boxes and essential everyday items and small luxuries that women use from individuals and local organizations. Spectators were also encouraged to bring donations to Mystics home games during the last two weeks of the fall season.

At the end of the two-week campaign, student-athletes from all Mystics teams joined Renouf in packaging and wrapping nearly 30 shoeboxes, each valued at a minimum of $50.

“It was powerful to see all the varsity teams come together, at such a busy time of year, to volunteer some of their time to make life a little better for someone else,” says Mark Forward, athletics officer and head coach of the women’s basketball team at MSVU. “The athletes all understand their position of privilege and it was great example of how giving is better than receiving."

Happy to be back in action this year, Renouf credits her teammates and coach to helping get her to a good place after a not-so-ideal start last year.

“Our team philosophy is to look to the left when you are faced with your own struggles,” says Renouf. “My teammates and coach really helped me through recovery and taught me to focus on the process. This allowed me to put things into perspective and focus on the little wins.”

A CCAA National Scholar studying science who hopes to pursue a career in medicine, Renouf has also spent time volunteering with Ronald McDonald House and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. She is keen to continue to lead the Mystics work supporting the Shoebox Project all year and has plans to put some additional focus on food security through work with Feed Nova Scotia and Mount Saint Vincent University’s Food Bank with support from her fellow student-athletes.

“Emma is a great student-athlete role model,” adds Forward. “She expects nothing but the best of herself in the classroom and she shows maturity beyond her years in stepping up to show others the value and power of volunteerism. Without Emma leading the charge this year, I know our participation in the Shoebox Project initiative would not have happened. I know she has plans for the second term and can’t wait to watch what she is able to accomplish.” 

Renouf also highlights how culture and being a part of something bigger than herself has affected her time at Mount Saint Vincent University.

“What I enjoy most about being a Mystic is our ‘one way, together’ philosophy,” says Renouf. “As someone who moved away from home to attend university, it gets hard to be away from home and my family. The Mount has become my second family. I feel very fortunate to be a part of such a supportive program that pushes me to be my best every day as a person – not just in athletics and academics.”