top of page

Are you a student who has been looking to have a positive impact in your community and across the world?

If the answer is YES, then keep reading...

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO BECOME

A Powerful Leader of Change

(WHILE RESPECTING YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE)

Do you want the opportunity to 

Meet Students from Across Canada

Gain Leadership Experience

Connect with Youth in Ghana, West Africa

Change the Lives of Children

How can you as ONE young person, achieve this?

We have a way

In just 5 short weeks, this FREE program will show you everything you need to know to:

Image by Joao Cruz

Build your Confidence & Communication Skills

Get the skills you need to confidently speak to anyone and everyone.  Overcome shyness, fear of failure, and self-doubt.

Image by Tim Foster

Stand up and be a Leader in your Community

The work you will do in this program will have hundreds of children in your community looking up to you as someone they aspire to be.

20170207_145213_edited.jpg

Help Kids in Ghana to Climb out of Poverty

The impact you have WILL make the difference whether kids living in poverty in Ghana have the opportunity to move forward with their education, so they can climb out of poverty.

Plus when you join...

Connect with Young Leaders in Ghana

When you join this program, you get the chance to meet virtually, LIVE, the girls in Ghana who have come from poverty but are now leading Create Change's work in Ghana.  This is a unique opportunity to connect with girls across the world who are working towards becoming leaders just like you!

Picture Sticker 2.png

YOU GET THE CHANCE TO

how it works

We will guide you each step of the way to work with an elementary school in your community to hold a read-a-thon, promoting literacy in your community and raising funds so children living in poverty in Ghana get the chance to learn to read.

Get Training & Support

Participate in a 5 week online training course, to get the skills and know-how to make a tangible impact.

Partner with a Local Elementary School

Get the A-Z guide on how to partner with and lead change with a local elementary school.

Organize a
Read-A-Thon

With all the materials and steps provided for you, lead a read-a-thon fundraiser at partner schools.

Change the Lives of Children in Ghana

With funds raised from your read-a-thon, children living in Ghana have their lives changed.

KE_Optimized_1600x1200_04.jpg
Hannon_edited_edited.jpg

I have definitely improved my mindset when it comes to what I can achieve. I have been incredibly surprised by the impact you can have on your community and a community across the globe.

5 Weeks of Online Workshops

Week 1.jpg

WEEK 1

Purpose

Learn everything you need to know about the impact you can have on elementary school students in your community, and children living in poverty in Ghana, so you are fully connected to the purpose of your work.

IN THIS PROGRAM

Everyone Benefits

A win-win-win leadership opportunity

Image by Jonathan Borba

Get Canadian Elementary Students Reading

Girls teaching 3.jpg

Change the Lives of Children Living in Poverty in Ghana

pexels-christina-morillo-1181690.jpeg

Gain Leadership and Volunteer Experience

who can join this program?

Create Change programs do not require previous volunteer or leadership experience. We are looking for students ages 13 - 24, who are passionate about learning and are looking for an opportunity to acquire new skills, grow their confidence, and gain experience making a difference in their community, and abroad.

jessica-wilson-nx3N6enkY_k-unsplash.jpeg

program benefits

Skills & Experience

Students will have the opportunity to gain skills such as goal setting, storytelling, community engagement, and leadership.

Volunteer Hours

Participating students will have the opportunity to receive official volunteer hours for the time they contribute.

Expand your CV

This program will add something unique to your CV so you can stand out to employers and university admissions.

Have an Impact

Get the opportunity to change lives, both children in your very own community and children living in poverty in Northern Ghana.

TuaRWHT-14.jpg

program details

5 Weeks Online 

Participants must attend a weekly 2 hour webinar/ conference call where instruction takes place.  

Interactive opportunity

Get the opportunity to practice skills each class with your cohort peers so you are well equipped to take action.

Meet Leaders in Ghana

Virtually meet the young women all the way in Ghana who are leading the work funded by your read-a-thons.

Community Platform

Get access to our Create Change community platform where you can find like-minded students and support.

Ongoing Support

After completing the online classes, continue to receive support via monthly events and community platform.

Flexible Time

Take anywhere from 1 month to 8 months to complete the program, working at your own pace.

about your facilitator

Shannen 2.jpg

Shannen O'Brian

Shannen is the Founder and Executive Director of Create Change Foundation.  The programs she has designed have empowered thousands of girls to climb out of poverty in Northern Ghana, and transformed hundreds of youth across Canada into powerful leaders of change.

 

Shannen has a BA in International Development, a Masters in Human Rights, and is a certified Mindset and Youth Coach.

 

She has spent much of her adult life living and working in Northern Ghana, but currently resides in British Columbia, where she was born and raised.

 

Shannen's passion in life is helping youth to realize their potential to become leaders and have a positive impact in the world.

  • How is the program delivered?
    The program is delivered online, once a week in a 90 minute class via Zoom. There is no other class time involved. Classes are recorded, so if you miss a class you can watch the recording later to accommodate your busy schedule! We recommend that you catch up on the classes you miss in a timely fashion so you have the information you need to succeed.
  • What if I don't meet the required fundraising goals?
    The program is designed to ensure you succeed. Upon starting the program, you may feel the fundraising goals are somewhat overwhelming, but this is why the program is in place, to show you how to think like a changemaker, to teach you new skills , and to provide you with the leadership expertise to lead your peers and community to make it happen. If you fall behind in your fundraising due to unforeseen circumstances, you simply give yourself more time to achieve the fundraising goal you have committed to and take the next module at a later date. Over 95% of participating students reach their fundraising goals.
  • Do I need previous experience?
    Absolutely not! The program is designed to help you achieve your goals whether you've never done anything like this before, or you have a ton of leadership and social change experience. Whatever level you are at, the program is designed to work for you!
  • Can I take any module at any time?
    No. You must take the program in order as learning is sequential. Module 1 needs to be completed first, followed by Module 2, followed by Module 3. You can participate in one, two or all three modules- it's up to you!
  • What initial commitment do I need to make?
    None! You can decide as you go if you the commitment that you want to make.
  • Can my time spent in the progam count towards volunteer hours?
    Yes. If you complete your module goals, Create Change will verify volunteer hours for that module. Volunteer hours can include class time (2 hours per class), individual team meetings (for Modules 2+3), and the time put into fundraising initiatives. Funds must be submitted to Create Change before volunteer hours are accepted for approval.
  • Where do the funds that are raised go?
    The funds that you raise go to support Create Change's work in Ghana to empower girls to become leaders, so they can help lift themselves, their families and communities out of poverty. 100% of student fundraising supports our programs in Ghana. Read more about our Ghana programs here.
  • What kind of time commitment does the program require?
    Other than the weekly 2 hour classes delivered online, you are expected to work on your fundraising outside of class. The program guides you with a step-by-step guide of how to take every action you need to succeed. All of the work to be done outside of class you schedule on your own, based on your personal availability and schedule. The program is designed to be flexible and to fit in with your busy schedules. Some students are able to achieve their goals with minimal time and effort, while others choose to implement more extensive plans. The program encourages you to make plans that suit their existing schedules.
  • Do I fundraise on my own or with the program?
    The program acts as a guide and support system for you to do your own fundraising where you live. In Module 1 we walk you through step-by-step on how to get started on leading change on your own. In Module 2 we guide you to build a team in your school/ community, and how to design and implement a plan with that team. You individually do this wherever you live, and learn to fundraise, market, and lead a team through doing. The program helps you with your confidence and belief in yourself, helps you to set both personal and fundraising goals, and provides you with a step-by-step plan of how to achieve your goals. The students from across Canada who participate in the program become a support system for each other, as you all learn and face challenges together as a group. The online community of like-minded youth who are interested in social change provides a safe space as you grow and learn.
  • How do we fundraise?
    How you fundraise is completely up to you. You are responsible for your own fundraising, but you will be given guidance and support along the way. From online campaigns, to partnering with local companies, to fundraising in school, we give you all the information and strategies you need, but what you decide to do is completely up to you.
  • Do modules have to be completed in a certain time frame?
    No. As the program is offered on a rolling basis, you can choose to take more time with your fundraising and continue with the next module at a later date.
  • How much does this program cost?
    The program is FREE. We only require a $35 registration fee which will be added towards your fundraising.
  • Where does my fundraising go towards?
    All funds raised will go directly to supporting literacy programs in rural communities in Northern Ghana.
  • What is a read-a-thon?
    Like a walk-a-thon, a read-a-thon is where participants get people to pledge money for each page that they read. With respect to this program, Literacy Leaders will organize and implement a read-a-thon a local elementary schools, where children get family and friends to pledge money for every page they read in an effort to help children their own age in Ghana get the chance to learn to read too.
  • Can I do this program with a friend?
    Registered leaders commit to the full goal, so if your friends want to join and register they would have to take on their own goal, but you could combine your goal and work together. However, if you have friends who want to work with you on your own goal, you can work as a team and share your volunteer hours. We will issue official volunteer hours for up to 3 friends.
  • How much time will this program require?
    There are 5 week of classes that are 2 hours. Each week you are challenged with an action that should take 1 - 2 hours. In total the program should take between 30 - 50 hours but this can be carried out over the span of 3 - 6 months.
  • Can I get official volunteer hours for this program?
    Yes! The time you spend working on this program can go towards official volunteer hours, but only if you actually raise funds.
  • How long do I have to complete the program?
    During the 5 week online portion, we recommend you stay on track with weekly actions, but you have up to 6 months to complete the program goals.
  • What do I have to do to commit to get started?
    To commit to the program, all you have to do is fill out the registration form and pay the registration fee by clicking the 'Register Now' button at the bottom of the page.
  • How much time does this program require?
    There are 5 week of classes that are 2 hours. Each week you are challenged with an action that should take 1 - 2 hours. In total the program should take between 30 - 50 hours but this can be carried out over the span of 3 - 8 months.
  • What is a read-a-thon?
    Like a walk-a-thon, a read-a-thon is where participants get people to pledge money for each page that they read. With respect to this program, Literacy Leaders will organize and implement a read-a-thon a local elementary schools, where children get family and friends to pledge money for every page they read in an effort to help children their own age in Ghana get the chance to learn to read too.
  • What does my fundraising go towards?
    All funds raised will go directly to supporting programs that help children living in poverty gain access to educaiton and skill building programs in Northern Ghana.
  • How much does this program cost?
    The program is FREE. We only require a $35 registration fee which will be added towards your fundraising.
  • What do I have to do to get started?
    To commit to the program, all you have to do is fill out the registration form and pay the registration fee by clicking the 'Register Now' button at the bottom of the page.
  • Can I get official volunteer hours for this program?
    Yes! The time you spend working on this program can go towards official volunteer hours, but only if you actually raise funds.
  • Can I do this program with a friend?
    Registered leaders commit to the full goal, so if your friends want to join and register they would have to take on their own goal, but you could combine your goal and work together. However, if you have friends who want to work with you on your own goal, you can work as a team and share your volunteer hours. We will issue official volunteer hours for up to 3 friends.
  • How long do I have to complete the program?
    To complete classes, you have up to 7 weeks. We recommend you attend classes live, but if you have to miss one you have 2 weeks from the class date to complete a missed class form. During the 5 weeks we also recommend you stay on track with weekly actions to ensure you are moving forward quickly. Aside from the 5 classes, it takes students around 1- 3 months to achieve program goals. However, you can take UP TO 8 months to complete the program goals. This is because it often can take a few weeks to secure partnerships with local elementary schools, and sometimes schools will want a few months lead-up time before the actual read-a-thon is implemented. After the 5 weeks of classes, the program offers a monthy meeting to support you with your ongoing work.

Get on the Waitlist!

Are you interested in this program?  Get on the Waitlist!
 

Our next program launches in February, 2022.

bottom of page