A resource for change makers and hour counters! Look here for tools and tips from Power of the Hour, Get Involved, and Volunteer Canada.
The Mackenzie awards celebrate an entire generation of youth that are giving back, donating their time and money, and inspiring others to create change – not just change in a few years – change NOW!
Do you want to know more about Facebook, Twitter and the power of social media? Getinvolved.capresents Digital U a series that explores how social media is affecting social change. TVO is airing all 8 shorts 3 times a week, on Fridays after Heartbeat in March. You can also watch them all online on our Get Involved site! Check out a full schedule and description here:
If you are looking to Get Involved you’ve come to the perfect place! Student Tools is a portal for information on youth volunteering so you can find the organization that is the perfect match for you. In this section we will feature profiles of organizations whose mandates are to empower youth.
In order to celebrate this year’s Earth Day (April 22nd), Earth Day Canada is hosting a contest for all aspiring filmmakers. Every Day Heroes Film Competition is urging all filmmakers to submit their piece 90 second, silent film by March 15th.
Enthusiastic. Remarkable. Inspiring. These are just a few words that describe the individuals and groups across Canada that are doing amazing things to reduce their impact on the environment in large and small ways. They’ve taken the three R’s and made it a way of life. They’re every day heroes whose stories need to be told.
Finalists will have their films screened in shopping malls across Canada, displayed on the 270 monitors on subway platforms around Toronto, and hosted on YouTube and the Earth Day website.
Prizes will be awarded in four seperate categories, including Best of ‘Under 18’ years of age, Best of ‘18 and Over’, Best of Competition and the People’s Choice Award – so all filmmakers young and old, established and aspiring are invited to compete. Among the prizes are a MacBook Pro and a Toronto getaway to attend the Earth Day Canada Gala in June. 
Voting for your favorite film (the People Choice Award) will enter you into a contest to win a $250 shopping mall certificate.
OR are you an inspired filmmaker? Then inspire Canada this Earth Day. Tell the story of your every day environmental hero and their dedication to support of a healthier environment through the power of film.
Snail mail or courier your movie file on a CD or data DVD, along with a printed submission form [345KB PDF] to:
Earth Day Canada Film Competition 111 Peter Street Suite 503 Toronto ON M5V 2H1
Or click here to submit your film online.
The Mackenzie awards celebrate an entire generation of youth that are giving back, donating their time and money, and inspiring others to create change – not just change in a few years – change NOW!
Youth are often portrayed in the media as disengaged, but the reality is that youth across Canada are taking action in their communities to make positive change.
At the 2009 aids2031 Young Leaders Summit in Oslo, Norway, Hopes Voice International filmed a short video in partnership with the Royal Palace Norway and aids2031 on why enabling young leadership is crucial for the current and future AIDS response. TakingITGlobal Executive Director Jennifer Corriero joined youth leaders from around the world shared inspiring messages of hope and determination letting the world know what motivates them to get involved.
“Support of art and youth is a major part of the work I do. As a local independent artist, we need support to continue to our work which sometimes goes unnoticed by the general public. If we can bring attention to our art and continue to push that corporations who use art as a medium to sell products, give back and allow art for arts sake, we can continue to create art that the public sees and connects to.”
“I got involved because it felt natural to lend a hand to those in need- holding a door, joining in on school yard clean ups, donating to those down on their luck- they were all simple tasks that didn’t warrant a request. When I realized the magnitude of the global HIV and AIDS pandemic 4 years ago I knew I needed to do what I could to help so I volunteered with LetsStopAIDS.”
While youth face constant stigma in society at large they are still organizing to create supports for each other in order to lift as they climb. Youth-led organizations have blossomed as a growing trend as of late, and a number of new collectives and organizations have been supported through the Youth Challenge Fund, an initiative started by football player Pinball Clemens. Inspired by the power of youth organizing other foundations have started to adjust their grant application processes to be more youth friendly, and some foundations like Laidlaw have shifted their entire focus to youth organizing.
