I notice the powerlessness of youth around me; we can name the disconnect we feel and the ways our systems fail us. We have the fuel and awareness to move, yet no direction or method to put it toward. I want to help pave a way through that, to turn frustration into action. I want change-making to feel possible for everyone, to have our vision in the horizon and faith in the path that gets us there.
As someone born and raised in Vancouver, I joined RISE to give back to my community, encourage young people to take action, make activism less intimidating and more accessible, and build on my own knowledge and confidence as a changemaker.
While passionate about community advocacy and engagement, I don't know how to contribute beyond my digital comfort zone of scrolling, liking, and resharing. When RISE appeared on my feed, I saw an opportunity to learn the skills needed to shift into active community support, and to help lead change that is felt locally in the day to day. I want to rise to this challenge, and encourage other youth to do the same!
I joined RISE to turn care and curiosity into action. Advocating for my family showed me that public systems can be difficult to navigate, especially when people need them most. It also gave me the confidence to speak up. Those experiences continue to shape how I approach design, making complex information more accessible. Through RISE, I’m excited to learn alongside others and build the skills to contribute more meaningfully to my community.
I first heard about the program from a friend who participated in it in Montreal, and she told me how much she enjoyed the experience. After looking into the details of RISE myself, I was excited to see how closely it aligned with my interests and goals.
I joined RISE to learn how I can support youth to become more engaged with their communities and help make a difference on issues that matter to them.
I joined this program so that I wouldn't be spending my summer being unproductive, and because I like to solve problems and innovate. I hope that I learn new skills for the future.
Belonging and community engagement have always been at the heart of who I am, and RISE offers a space to transform those values into tangible action. Through hands-on experiences, shared learning, and collaboration, RISE allows me to directly contribute to my community while learning from others who share the same passion for creating positive change. It is also a rewarding way to spend my time outside of work doing something purposeful and impactful.
I joined the RISE program because I am passionate about driving dialogue, action, and change. I have been a staunch advocate for youth representation and empowerment for many years and I want to be part of a nationwide network where we are working together for a common cause. From creating inclusive communities, civic engagement, and climate action, all these topics align with my values and my goal on making the world a better place for all.
I recently graduated with a Master of Public Health and have a strong interest in the social determinants of health. I think that our democratic and political systems have a huge impact on many aspects of our lives, including our health. Thus, I joined RISE to play a more proactive role in enabling young people to engage with the democratic systems that have such a big impact on our daily lives.
Eloisa is a Richmond-based ceramicist and content creator who is passionate about connecting with her community through her creations. She joined RISE because their methodology tackles the underlying causes of inequality, not just its symptoms. I've witnessed how early support impacts an individual's career. Honestly, I also believe it's about meeting other individuals and realizing that their experiences matter and RISE truly excels with this. The purpose of perseverance keeps reminding me why this mission matters to me.
Growing up in Vancouver and then spending six years in the US, I saw the blatant uptick in anti-Asian hate. That spurred me to get involved: volunteering at an AAPI senior centre, joining the emergency response team and city services academy, and starting AAPI in Gaming. Last March, I represented Canada aboard Ship for World Youth as 1 of 8 delegates. RISE feels like the next step in advocating for equity in my local community.