MAYBE THIS SOUNDS LIKE YOU-
You want to make a difference, but life is so busy already and any opportunity out there seems to lack substence.
Between extracurricular activities, school and social commitments, it's hard to figure out where to find time to get involved in a cause to make a difference. The opportunities to get involved either require a huge time commitment, 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?
We know you have something to contribute.
Here's your chance.
FINALLY, A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO WORK FOR YOU.
FLEXIBLE TIME COMMITMENT
so you can invest just a few weeks, or a few months depending on your interest.
FROM YOUR SMARTPHONE
including workshops, social events, and fundraising initiatives.
WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE
to ensure you can succeed regardless of how busy your schedule is.
NEW SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
so you can expand your networks and meet youth from across the country.
Introducing
The Social Change Program
BECOME SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO STAND UP, TAKE ACTION, AND LEAD OTHERS TO CREATE CHANGE.
The Social Change 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.)
We offer a unique structure where you can pick and choose how far to take your leadership.
Start your Journey
MODULE 1
INTRO TO SOCIAL CHANGE
Change Lives
MODULE 2
FUNDRAISING AND MARKEITNG
Inspire Others
MODULE 3
LEADERSHIP
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
A chance to impact the lives of hundreds 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.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND
Inside the Program
MODULE 1
Intro to Social Change
6 WEEKS
10 - 50 VOLUNTEER HOURS
Fundraising Goal: $1,000
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 throuh every step. In your new leadership role, together we will work on:
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Strategies to recruit the right members so you build an effective team you can rely on
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How to take action and put yourself out there, even if you struggle with self-doubt and anxiety
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Branding your team so it's easy to get people behind you and your message
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How to lead awesome meetings so you inspire your team members and get stuff done!
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Shifting your mindset so you're ready to step out as a leader
MODULE 2
Fundraising & Marketing
Pre-requisite: Module 1
8 WEEKS
25 - 90 VOLUNTEER HOURS
Fundraising goal: $1,500
So exciting- you are leading a team! Now it's time for you to work together to start changing lives!
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.
With your new team in place, you will be guided to lead your team to:
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Discover networks that you never knew you had
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Fundraise any amount by creating super solid fundraising plans
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Create a solid pitch so the wider community is excited to support you
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Implement proven fundraising strategies that have led hundreds of students to success, including online campaigns, events, and business partnerships.
MODULE 3
Leadership
Pre-requisite: Module 1 + 2
10 WEEKS
100+ VOLUNTEER HOURS
Fundraising goal: $2,500
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.
In this Leadership Module, we will look at
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The kind of leader you want to grow to become
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How to become more confident and overcome self-esteem issues
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How to manage team dynamics, so everyone works cohesively as a team
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Developing better time management skills and achieving life balance so your leadership fits naturally into your life
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How to face fear that stops you from moving forward and how to dismantle it
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How to effectively coach your team members to get the most out of them
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How to use your leadership to stand out on scholarship and university applications, so you can achieve your life goals
"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
The Skills & Experience
THAT WILL TRANSFER TO EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE.
Here's the kind of stuff we'll cover:
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HOW TO USE VOLUNTEER WORK TO BUILD ROCK-SOLID CONFIDENCE
SETTING GOALS SO YOU ACTUALLY ACHIEVE THEM
THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF CARE IN ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS
STRATEGIES TO CRUSH FEAR AND GROW YOUR COMFORT ZONE
HOW TO BUILD A TEAM OR COMMUNITY TO GET BEHIND YOUR GOALS
HOW TO CREATE PLANS THAT PAY OFF
HOW TO ASK ANYONE FOR ANYTHING, ANYTIME
SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO TRANSFORM INTO AN INSPIRING LEADER
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This is an opportunity to meet like-minded young people from across the country through our private online community hosted on Mighty Networks, a free app.
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.
Join Our Amazing Community
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
In Module 2 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.
FLEXIBLE MODULES
Students can choose to participate in 1, 2 or 3 modules of the program, and can decide as they go.
INTERACTIVE PORTION
The second half of the class is dedicated to demonstration, practice, supervision and feedback.
GROUP COACHING
Group coaching is available to students who proceed to Module 2 to work on shifting their mindset and to set goals.
ROLLING BASIS
This program operates on a rolling basis, so you can participate in additional modules at a later date.
Upcoming Dates
IN CASE YOU WANT TO PLAN AHEAD...
Building a Team
FALL 2023
Thursday Evenings
September 7th - October 12th
4:30 - 6:30 PM (PST) / 7:30 - 9:30 (EST)
WINTER 2024
February - March
Dates and Times TBA
REQUIREMENTS
NO REQUIREMENTS
Fundraising & Marketing
Tuesday Evenings
September 12th - November 7th
4:30 - 6:30 PM (PST) / 7:30 - 9:30 (EST)
WINTER 2024
February - April 2024
Dates and Times TBA
SPRING 2024
February - April 2024
Dates and Times TBA
REQUIREMENTS
COMPLETION OF MODULE 1
FALL 2023
Leading Social Change
SPRING 2024
May - July
Dates and Times TBA
FALL 2024
Sep - Nov
Dates and Times TBA
REQUIREMENTS
COMPLETION OF MODULE 1 + 2
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 the Social Change Program and unlock:
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A flexible system to help you transform into a leader of change, with 3 levels of leadership opportunities.
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The official volunteer experience you need for school, your CV, university and scholarship applications.
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Access to Create Change's online private community of young aspiring leaders.
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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.
