WHY RISE?

NINH

WHY RISE?

I want to make a difference in the community and to meet like-minded people. Through RISE, I hope to learn new skills and be able to engage youth in making positive social changes.

BUILD PROGRAM BIO

As a first-generation immigrant, I want to engage other young, under-represented groups to be involved in democracy and policy change. When I spoke with those who didn't go through the Canadian education system because they grew up in a different country, I found that most of them are not involved in Canadian politics as this is not something they grow up with or hear about at home. It's important to engage these groups in politics as most of them will eventually become citizens. It's important to equip and empower them with this knowledge when they are eventually able to vote.

NIHN’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON NEWCOMER INCLUSION & REFUGEE RIGHTS

- Connected with the Montreal network of the Canadian Council for Refugees to learn about their ongoing efforts

- Contributed towards and participated in the March for Refugee Rights action from Montreal to Roxham Road

- Staying involved with their push to oppose the Safe Third Country Agreement reform that makes border crossings less safe for refugee claimants

WHY RISE?

My friend convinced me to get involved with RISE after the Daughters to Vote controversy. I was super interested after seeing the slogan (APATHY IS BORING).

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