SPARK Foundation

I am applying for the elevate prize to help: create a platform for young people to share their voices, and to provide them with the resources to make a sustainable difference in their communities 

If I was elected as a winner - I would use the funding to support/advance my work by:

1. Creating an online volunteer portal: for young people to use and to sign up for national and international volunteer opportunities 

2. To create and sustain a community hub here in Surrey and meant for all youth in Canada: this physical space will bring youth together to learn more about : life education, and help them to build good morals and values, as well as help them get the support they need to make a difference in their community 

I believe that age doesn't matter when it comes to making a difference, and I cannot wait to spread this message with the help of this funding.

I started SPARK foundation 7 years ago in grade 10, after a horrible conference experience, where all I could remember was the food that I ate! I took this experience, analyzed it and realized that we need more youth planning youth events. 

Following this, I planned a camp, took 10 of my friends as a trial run and went on a leadership camp. it turned out to be such an uplifting experience! So much so, I did it again in grade 11, 12 and 1st year university. During this year, is when I got some help from my friends and network, turned our camp into a staple, added quality life education workshops that focus on the UN SDG's, and added in community engagement events!

I started out as a youth that wanted to make a difference, but just didn't have the support to do so. Now, I am honoured to say that I help those youth that do not have the support to do just that.

We are now 12 staff, 6 board members, 300 volunteers strong, with over 100,000 young people impacted through our work world wide.

SPARK foundation empowering the next generation through quality life education: workshop, camps, and community engagement events. By helping to boost the self esteem of young people, and helping them to build great morals through the UN SDG's, we are building sustainable futures.

Specific problem: lack of self esteem and motive in young people, this sometimes leads to young people deteriorating and headings towards dark avenues 

How: through interactive, fun and empowering life education workshops, camps and community engagement events 

The UN SDG's we focus on include: 4,11,13,17.

1. We are young people leading young people 

2. We are passionate about UN SDG's : 4,11,13,17

3. We are a Non Profit that has been recognized on both national and International grounds by all levels of leadership 

4. We empower other young people to make a difference

5. We create sustainable  change 

Our effect on humanity:

1. We are changing then mindset and the lives of young people through quality education

- through camps and community opportunities we are influencing and positively changing the mindset of young people 

2. We are building sustainable  cities by empowering young people to take action 

- through our : business and entrepreneurship , UN SDG workshops we gear young people to create change 

3. We are serving the homeless and low income population through our community engagement initiatives 

- to date we have donated over $150,000 in care packages and life ed workshops to this pollution 

These programs are effective because they are youth lead, youth driven, and because youth are taking these opportunities by choice! We support them in their decision to create an impact, and help them clear all the hurdles in the way.