MAYBE THIS SOUNDS LIKE YOU-
You want to gain volunteer experience, but you don't have a ton of experience (or any) and don't know where to start.
Between extracurricular activities, school and social commitments, it's hard to figure out how to get involved in a cause to make a difference. The opportunities to get involved either require that you already have leadership experience, or don't seem to really offer a chance to do something meaningful.
We're guessing there are probably a lot of causes that you care about, and you would really like to do something to contribute.
But the problems are overwhelming. How do you just get up one day and start changing things?
Yes your grades are important- but meaningful volunteer and leadership experience can make all the difference.
A UNIQUE PROGRAM THAT GIVES STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
GAIN OFFICIAL VOLUNTEER HOURS
STAND OUT ON UNIVERSITY
APPLICATIONS
ELEVATE YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
ENHANCE YOUR CV AND LINKEDIN PROFILE
Introducing
Social Change Leadership
BECOME SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO STAND UP, TAKE ACTION, AND LEAD OTHERS TO CREATE CHANGE.
The Social Change Leadership program is not like other programs where you “discuss the issues” — it’s a proven framework for making an impact.
It's designed to grow your confidence and build your skills, so you’ll go on a personal empowerment journey where you become a person who knows how to stand up, step out, and take action.
You’ll learn from a real-world change-maker who ACTUALLY walks the talk, and you’ll meet other young aspiring changemakers from across Canada.
(And yes — you CAN do this even if you’re crazy-busy. It’s designed to fit your life.)
Just a few of the benefits include...
OFFICIAL VOLUNTEER HOURS
PERSONALIZED REFERENCE LETTERS
PERSONAL MENTORSHIP
so you can meet your school requirements, and have something exciting to add to your CV.
to help support your university, scholarship and job applications.
to help you get clear on what to prioritize and how to create goals to achieve your dreams.
GUIDANCE WITH UNIVERSITY & SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
since writing your personal statement can be daunting and guidance can make a difference.
REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE BUILDING AND LEADING A TEAM
A NEW SOCIAL NETWORK
so you can expand your networks and meet youth from across the country.
PROFESSIONAL COACHING
to help you get over self-doubt, limited thinking and to develop a mindset to help you succeed.
A REPUTABLE ONLINE IMAGE
so when people google your name, they see all the right things to help you get ahead.
so you can bring people together for any purpose or cause in the future.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
A chance to impact the lives of thousands of people.
This program provides you with the opportunity to lead change for young women struggling with extreme poverty in Northern Ghana; young women who dream of becoming leaders themselves to bring change to their families and communities.
The Social Change Program directly supports Create Change Foundation, which has been bringing life-changing programs that provide girls and young women with access to education, training, and leadership opportunities for the past 15 years.
Through live events and working with the charity's Executive Director, you will get direct contact with young women in Ghana who are benefitting from your efforts, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at how an international grassroots charity operates.
Become part of a beautiful cycle of change, where your leadership empowers young women living in poverty to become leaders themselves.
"This program shows people how to make a difference in the world."
"Before this program, I knew I had a purpose, I just didn’t know how to use it, how to find it, or how to fulfill that. Working with Shannen has shown me this, and I now see a bright path ahead of me, and for that, I am eternally grateful."
- KAYA B.
This program is a win-win-win.
1
STUDENTS GET A FREE PROGRAM, THAT INCLUDES MENTORSHIP AND COACHING
2
STUDENTS GET STEP-BY-STEP GUIDANCE TO BUILD A TEAM AND FUNDRAISE
3
A CHARITY HAS FUNDS TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY
Work with like-minded students from across Canada.
SO WHAT'S THE CRITERIA?
Required
Not Required
WILLINGNESS TO LEARN
and apply new concepts and ideas to your actions you take in the real world.
DESIRE TO GROW & IMPROVE
by stepping outside your comfort zone, sharing your ideas and facing your fears.
AN INTEREST IN SOCIAL CHANGE
and concern for the well-being of those less fortunate in the world.
SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR COMMITMENT
so those living in poverty can count on you to do your best to make a difference in their lives.
PROVEN ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
your grades don't matter here, as we're only interested in your potential in leading!
PREVIOUS LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
as we work together to help you to transform you into an effective leader.
KNOWLEDGE OF FUNDRAISING
since the program teaches you step-by-step processes to fundraise for any causes.
PREVIOUS VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
as the program is designed to empower both novice and experienced volunteers.
The Goals
IN THIS PROGRAM WE SET BIG AND AUDACIOUS GOALS THAT WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO ACHIEVE
Goal #1:
FUNDRAISE $5,000 (WITH A LOT OF HELP!)
Through 20 weeks of classes and 6 months of optional mentorship and group coaching we guide each leadership participant to INDIVIDUALLY lead their own team to fundraise $5,000. Through this program you will shift your mindset around money, and will be able to access it through your life for other causes, new businesses, etc.
Goal #2:
CHANGE THE LIVES OF 1,000 CHILDREN
Along with the rest of your cohort, the goal of your fundraising is to change the lives of 1,000 children who are living in extreme poverty. Your funds will go towards empowering female leaders who come from poverty, and supporting the programs they lead in their own communities designed to help children to climb out of poverty.
Goal #3:
TRANSFORM INTO A POWERFUL LEADER
Through the process of building and leading your own team, and taking responsibility for the real-world difference you can make, you will grow, shift your mindset, become more confident, and trust your abilities in all kinds of ways that will help you in your future. At the end of this program, you will walk away a confident and effective leader.
Goal #4:
CAPITALIZE ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS
We want to ensure that the amazing achievements you realize through this program help you to launch to newfound levels of success. Through reference letters, support writing personal statements, assistance in updating your CV, guidance in creating your online im, you will be able to access new opportunities to help you achieve your dreams.
WE KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING...
BUILD A TEAM? RAISE $5,000?
What if I can't do all that?
We know you can.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND
Inside the Program
IN JUST 20 WEEKS YOU WILL TRANSFORM YOURSELF AND THE WORLD AROUND YOU.
Building a Team
6 CLASSES
If you've ever wanted to know what kind of leader you'd be- here's your chance. In this first module we prepare you to to take the next step - engaging others to get involved by building a team that you will lead.
Don' t worry if you've never done anything like this before- the program will walk you through every step.
Fundraising & Marketing
6 CLASSES
So exciting- you are leading a team! Now it's time for you to work together to start changing lives!
With your new team in place, in this module we will look at how to bring your community together and start raising money to empower young women to lead people out of extreme poverty.
Leading Social Change
8 CLASSES
By Module 3 you'll be leading a team who is changing the world, and now it's all about becoming not just a good leader, but a great one.
Being a great leader involves more than just being a good manager or having strong communication skills. It is about being someone who your peers look up to, and who inspires them to be better.
Maximize your Success
4 CLASSES
Program participants are provided with 4 bonus classes to help capitalize on their volunteer and leadership achievements including: Writing a Personal Statement, Your Online Image, CV writing, and Interview Skills.
"This program helped me to reach my goals."
“This program is about helping you get better so you can help others. The impact of this program affects so many parts of your life. Shannen and this program are one of the main reasons I have been able to reach my goals and become someone I am so proud of."
- TAHLIA C.
MEET YOUR FACILITATOR
Hi, I'm Shannen
As the Executive Director of Create Change Foundation, my programs have helped thousands of women in West Africa to become leaders of change. I’ve raised millions of dollars, and together, we’ve helped to improve the lives of 100,000+ people in extreme poverty.
While I have a passion for international development, I'm equally excited about working with youth across Canada to make our work in Ghana possible. It is so rewarding to empower a new generation of change leaders — namely, you!
You see, like you, my heart was called to help the world. But at first, I didn’t know how.
So I got a Bachelor’s Degree in International Development. And a Master’s Degree in Human Rights.
Yet when it came time to enact real change — when I found myself leading an international team and needed to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to support my vision — I was on my own.
The hardest lessons weren’t taught in school . . . and the real-world dynamics of social change were something I had to figure out — alone — like all young social-justice crusaders.
I’d like to change that.
I hope that the Social Change Program can multiply our collective impact . . . and that it helps to empower you to get started as a leader of social change.
I can't wait to get started working together!
Shannen
This is an opportunity to meet like-minded young people from across the country, and go through a life-changing journey together.
The program offers an opportunity to exchange feedback, gain encouragement, and build new connections. No one is better equipped to cheer you on, provide advice, and relate to the ups and downs of trying to create social change than other students your own age who are going through exactly the same challenges.
MADE UP OF ASPIRING LEADERS FROM ACROSS CANADA, OUR YOUNG COMMUNITY IS ONE-OF-A-KIND SOCIAL OPPORTUNITY.
Work with Like-Minded Youth from Across the Country
DID WE MENTION YOU GET TO
"You get to meet amazing people."
“My favourite part of the program was getting to know my fellow change makers. I felt empowered and motivated by these amazing people, and it gave me so much hope!”
- AMREET G.
The Details
JUST TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THE INFO YOU NEED
WEEKLY CLASSES
Participants are expected to attend a weekly 1-2 hour online class where instruction and learning takes place.
TEAM MEETINGS
Students will build teams, after which they will need to have weekly meetings together to plan.
RECORDED CLASSES
Classes are recorded and available online so students can easily make up the classes that they miss.
LECTURE PORTION
The first half of online class time is dedicated to a lecture to review concepts and best practices.
FUNDRAISING
Student teams will design and implement their initiatives that work with their time availability and schedule.
VOLUNTEER HOURS
Participants and the team members they will recruit are eligible for official volunteer hours for their participation.
INTERACTIVE PORTION
The second half of the class is dedicated to demonstration, practice, supervision and feedback.
GROUP COACHING
Students will engage in group coaching to work on shifting their mindset and on setting successful goals.
REFERENCE LETTERS
All leaders are eligible for reference letters for scholarships, university and job applications
BECOME PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
Our cycle of change starts with you.
There is a girl sitting on the other side of the world right now. A girl who is smart and hardworking and has a ton of potential. She is tired of watching her family struggling to get just one meal a day. The odds feel stacked against her and she feels powerless to change anything.
That's where you come in. Your choice to participate in this program will mean she will have a chance. A chance to get a better education. A chance to build her self-esteem and confidence. And the chance to get the training and mentorship she needs to stand up and start leading change.
Our cycle of change empowers you to empower girls who will change the lives of hundreds.
(PRETTY COOL, RIGHT?)
DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
What past students had to say.
"I raised $2,000 in 6 weeks."
“Because of working with Shannen, with no previous experience, I raised $2000 in six weeks. And I became a more confident speaker after leading team meetings. I’m incredibly proud of myself!"
URUB M.
"Before I knew it I had a team of 20."
“Before working with Shannen, I didn't know I could really grow my leadership skills — but before I knew it, my team had 20+ members!"
CIANA D.
"I started believing in myself."
"It was amazing to work with Shannen! She gave me a new perspective every week. She was very understanding and pushes you to believe in yourself."
HANNON R.
So if you were ready YESTERDAY to get started with your leadership journey, join Social Change Leadership and unlock:
+
A free program to help you transform into a leader of change over the course of 20 weeks.
+
The official volunteer experience and reference letters you need for school, your CV, university and scholarship applications.
+
Guidance and mentorship to help you build confidence, and increase your chances of succeeding in your life goals.
+
The opportunity to empower young women and change the lives of hundreds of people living in poverty.
"This program changed my life."
"Joining this program was a first step in altering my life in an amazing way. I joined so I could learn to impact others, and to train to be a leader. This leadership training changed my life, and is now part of who I am."
- ARIBA B.
