Shuswap Youth Launch growing!
The Shuswap Youth Launch virtual leadership event planned for February 25th, 2021 is launching way beyond the Shuswap region with groups from Vancouver Island and Alberta now taking part!
The Cowichan Valley Youth Action group reached out to the SYL team, met on Zoom and have unanimously voted to make this event the kick-off event for the Cowichan Valley Youth Action Week. They are inviting all high schools in the Cowichan Valley School District to join the Shuswap youth event and are in turn sharing their virtual leadership workshops with Shuswap students. But it hasn’t stopped here.
The entire athletics department of Olds Community College are attending. The Athletics Director was looking for something uplifting and that could help with the mental health of her students. After hearing about the event – and learning that Corey Hirsch would be a guest speaker – she reached out and asked if they could get tickets.
As word spreads about this event, the team has heard from Kamloops and other Alberta teachers who are keen to get their students participating in this virtual event.The event has peaked the interest of adults too.
Originally planned for April 2020 – and to be postponed due to the pandemic. The event has been created by youth to inspire and empower their peers throughout the Shuswap to think outside the box, encourage inclusive thinking, promote mental well-being, build healthy relationships and follow their dreams. Like many things – the youth launch team have had to pivot their delivery method to accommodate current COVID health guidelines.
The virtual 3.5 hour event will be delivered via Zoom with a powerhouse lineup of guest speakers and interactive activities – and will be offered at no charge to participants – however tickets must be reserved through Eventbrite. The speakers and topics are tailored to youth aged 13 – 18, but the invite is open to anyone interested in joining in. The four guest speakers includes:
- Wali Shah – an alumni of RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants, Wali Shah delivered TED talks, created poetry for corporate events, narrated voice overs for commercials, and spoken at hundreds of schools and colleges across North America. Wali has toured Canada coast to coast as a WE Day performer, and closed out President Barack Obama’s keynote speech with a poetic message in Toronto.
- Corey Hirsch – a former NHL goaltender, NHL goaltending coach, and Olympic silver Medallist, Corey Hirsch was featured in an article in the Players Tribune opening up about his struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder while on the rise to a promising career in the NHL. He has since dedicated himself to ending the stigma of mental health and becoming the National Youth Ambassador for the Center for Addiction and Mental Health.
- Ashley Bendiksen – as a survivor of abuse, trauma, homelessness, and loss, Ashley is an expert in abuse prevention and personal development, is a certified life empowerment coach, author, nonprofit founder, and award-winning activist.
- Missy MacKintosh – an internationally acclaimed artist with over 15 years of experience. Her work has been featured in multiple publications like Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Daily Mail, and WedLuxe Magazine. She’s also the Founder/CEO of the first Professional Performing Clean Makeup Line – MisMacK Clean Cosmetics. She graduated from Salmon Arm Senior Secondary School and lives in Canoe, BC.
This project is funded through an RBC Future Launch grant of $15,000 – part of a10-year $500 million commitment to help Canadian youth prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.
The Shuswap Youth Launch team is made up youth aged 15 – 22, partnered with the Salmon Arm Rotary Club as team mentors, and School District 83 as their charitable organization to assist with receiving and dispersing grant funds.
Have you reserved your free ticket? The deadline to reserve Eventbrite tickets is February 23rd. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/shuswap-youth-launch-tickets-135634330935?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch
#RBCFLChallenge #FutureLaunch #ShuswapYouthLaunch