KATELYN

I am interested in BUILD because I think it could give me the skillset, network, and knowledge to accomplish the things I have been advocating for and not making enough progress on.

KATELYN’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON DRUG LEGALIZATION & HARM REDUCTION:

- Researched various non-profits, campaigns, and initiatives to better understand the current political climate for the issues of concern

- Applied to volunteer on issue-based campaigns, endorsed online initiatives, and attended webinars that explore solutions

- Joining the Psychedelic Association of Canada and connecting with the Edmonton branch of Student for Sensible Drug Policy to support their efforts in the new year

KATE

Being a newcomer in Canada, I would like to join and learn more about advocacy work. I used to be a social worker in Hong Kong, organized political actions, assisted protests, and political campaigns. Yet, I have zero experience in Canada and would love to learn more and make real change to the community, especially newcomers and ethnic minorities.

KATE’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON PERIOD POVERTY:

- Explored the advocacy terrain around the issue to identify stakeholders and their existing policy priorities

- Met organizations who are advancing solutions like Period Purse and learned how they are developing a new campaign strategy

- Coordinating with community partners to expand distribution points for zero-barrier access to menstrual products

ROSHNI

I would like to use my voice and skills to make an impact in the community. My degree in social innovation means that I am keenly aware of the social injustices in the Canadian landscape, and I would like to create change. I believe BUILD can help me do that by fostering the skills needed for advocacy and effective change making.

ROSHNI’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON ACCESSIBLE & AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE:

- Sought out elected officials and stakeholder groups to assess the current (lack) of progress on the National Childcare Program in Alberta

- Presented to members of the Alberta Federation of Labour, and their community allies, about the ongoing challenges facing parents who need access to affordable childcare

- Staffing a provincial election campaign in support of a candidate who can advance the childcare affordability issue at the legislature

CARLY

I am interested in joining the BUILD program, as I want to learn how to engage with local and federal government officials and policymakers in order to create lasting change. I have volunteered with a number of organizations throughout my life and believe that I have helped support members of my local and global communities, but recognize that the amount and intensity of problems currently facing our world can be tackled more effectively at the institutional level. Over the past year, I have seen a number of calls for community members to speak at local city council meetings. I want to be able to speak up about the issues that concern not only myself, but my broader community members as well.

CARLY’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ACCESS & SAFETY:

- Examined the current political/policy landscape in Winnipeg around public transportation to better understand challenges and opportunities to intervene

- Attended city council, committee, and community stakeholder meetings in the lead-up to municipal elections  

- Connecting with Functional Transit Winnipeg to participate in their upcoming campaign being developed for 2023

STACEY

I want to increase my knowledge in the political process and my skills to bring change in this field. It will bring me out of my comfort zone. The political field makes me uncomfortable and nervous and I want to be able to change that.

STACEY’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE & PROVINCIAL POLITICS:

- Researched NS initiative in raising awareness around sexual violence and the funding of non-profit organization’s projects around this social issue.

- Engaged with the Avalon Centre to learn about their ongoing efforts to eliminate sexual assault/abuse, and to change the current socio-political culture

- Continuing to follow the work of the Centre and getting involved with their upcoming initiatives

ELAINE

I hope the BUILD program can empower me to become a better political participant who is capable of thinking in a more holistic and critical way, have better social skills and more abundant knowledge basis concerning our democratic system and the governmental institutions so that I can give some concrete and actionable policy suggestions to transform our community to be a better one.

ELAINE’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON WORKERS' RIGHTS & POVERTY REDUCTION:

- Attended meetings of various advocacy groups to understand how worker's rights are being advanced in her community

- Participated in actions coordinated by organized labour in support of the right to collectively bargain  

- Signing up for ACORN Toronto membership and contributing to their ongoing tenant rights campaign 

KRISTIINA

I was enrolled at Laurentian University during their disastrous 2021 financial crisis. Both of my programs (political science and philosophy) were deemed “unnecessary” and “unprofitable”. The BUILD program has given me the resources and confidence to continue fighting for equitable post-secondary education in Northern Ontario, and encourage other youth in Canada to participate in politics.

KRISTIINA’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON ACCESS TO EDUCATION:

- Organized with the Tricultural Committee for University Education at Sudbury working to bring many lost post-secondary programs back to the region

- Connected with cultural groups in the community who want to make education more accessible to expand stakeholder support for the committee

- Developing a communication plan for the committee before a 2-year anniversary event in the Spring to mobilize around a renewed vision for higher education 

VYSHNAVE

I have an interest in being involved in political action to make change and seeing it through. A lot of issues that youth are working to tackle can use the support of policies and funding at a political level and I want to learn how to make a true difference.

VYSHNAVE’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC FAIRNESS & MUNICIPAL POLITICS:

- Examined key city council issues and what groups/organizations are advancing solutions for economic fairness locally

- Plugged into Progress Toronto’s political engagement initiatives including taking action around policy interventions at city hall 

- Registering for their winter training series co-hosted by the Urban Alliance on Race Relations to better understand the city’s budgeting process

TANNIA

I am interested in advocating for community development through equitable access to healthcare. Chronic health conditions are exacerbated by factors such as economic status, food insecurity, stress, etc. Through this program I hope to gain experience about the impact, actionable policies can have on community health.

TANNIA’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING & WORKERS' RIGHTS:

- Connected with the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) and began an internship as a research assistant

-  Participated in organizing meetings with Justice for Workers who are pursuing the implementation of a $20 minimum wage & expanded paid sick days for all

- Supporting the coordination of tenant rights info sessions through CCHR and a number of allied organizations for the public at large

CATHY

I am interested in the BUILD program because my experiences have taught me that, at the end of the day, the people in government hold all of the power. Thus, I would like to better understand how government works, how existing systems can be changed to enable more equitable distribution of power, and what I can do to generate meaningful change.

CATHY’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON CLIMATE CHANGE:

- Plugged into lobbying sessions with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a community-based advocacy group

- Networked with CCL chapter leads along the west coast to deepen understanding of current priorities, organizational governance, and opportunities to contribute

- Organizing to launch the first Canadian post-secondary chapter of CCL for the upcoming fall semester

KIM

WHY RISE?

Change, community, connection, advocation; these are all words that describe RISE—and these are all words that I hold deep in my heart as well. Wanting to be part of the process of transforming our communities for the better, I joined RISE to make an impact on the people around me, open my own perspectives, hone my skills to lead projects, and work with some amazing people along the way!

BUILD PROGRAM BIO

I hope that should I join the BUILD program, I'll be able to gain more insight and civic knowledge on how to best maximize the steps I'm making to make an impact in my community. I hope to make change, learn how to better initiate projects, better communicate the right messages across, and find the right resources.

KIM’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON FOOD INSECURITY:

- Mapped campus and community projects aimed to expand access to nutritious food 

- Visited a Community Food Centre (CFC) in Montreal to learn how they are innovating away from the “food bank model” by engaging in advocacy to meaningfully address the structural issues of poverty and food insecurity

- Getting involved with The Depot CFC and participating in their educational programs while continuing to pursue opportunities to advocate for long-term solutions to food insecurity