Guests

Facilitator

Jocelyn, Vancouver Mentor, She/Her

Age: 22

A song lyric that describes me… "Everything is everything. What is meant to be, will be. After winter, must come spring. Change, it comes eventually."

A book I would recommend is… Pleasure Activism by adrienne maree brown

A movie that I would watch again and again…Gremlins

An issue I care about is… Gentrification

Why RISE? I believe in the power of community and am passionate about issues that are hyperlocal and grassroots. I want to make connections and to spur positive change that is equitable and authentic to me.

Mentors

Ivonne, Vancouver Mentor, She/Her

Age:

A song lyric that describes me…

A book I would recommend is… The Oxford English Dictionary

A movie that I would watch again and again… Fresh Guacamole

An issue I care about is… Socioeconomic inequalities + climate change

Why RISE? I am so inspired by the work and activism of others around me. RISE is an amazing opportunity to not only be a mentor and teacher, but to also be a learner—I am so excited to share the floor with an amazing cohort of youth who are equally as excited and motivated to engage with, shape, and change their communities.

Kelty, Ottawa Mentor, She/Her

Age: 24

A song lyric that describes me… "Daylight, eat a piece of cake to start the day right"-R U 4 Me? by Middle Kids

A book I would recommend is… Braiding Sweetgrass by Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer

A movie that I would watch again and again… Bend It Like Beckham

An issue I care about is… Equitable access to mental and reproductive health services

Why RISE? Connect with youth across Canada to create positive change on how community projects are designed with a more intersectional lens.

Arielle, Ottawa Mentor, She/Her

Age:

A song lyric that describes me… "I love to laugh, loud and long and clear" 🎵

A book I would recommend is… The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

A movie that I would watch again and again… Schitt's Creek (I know, not a movie, I'm cheating)

An issue I care about is… Housing justice

Why RISE? After finishing the RISE program as an ambassador, I jumped at the chance to join a new cohort as a mentor. RISE pushed me out of my comfort zone, gave me the chance to connect with amazing people in my city, and taught me about community leadership. And a big part of my positive experience was thanks to the fabulous facilitators and mentors. I'm hoping I can help do the same for Cohort 8!

Aweng Maciek, Winnipeg Mentor, She/Her

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Age: 19

A song lyric that describes me… Her and her mama alike so all they do is fight

A book I would recommend is… Tuesday’s with Morris

A movie that I would watch again and again… To all the boys I loved

An issue I care about is… Newcomer youth issues

Why RISE? I want to be given a platform to share with like minded youth that would like to make change in our community for future generations to come

Jennifer Block, Winnipeg Mentor, She/Her

Age: 23

A song lyric that describes me… Old soul, waitin' my turn I know a few things, but I still got a lot to learn

A book I would recommend is… Our Hearts are as One Fire by Jerry Fontaine

A movie that I would watch again and again… Shrek 1, 2, 3, and 4

An issue I care about is… Gender inequality and the impacts colonialism has had on gender expression and acceptance

Why RISE? RISE is a program that empowers youth to connect with their peers and make meaningful change within their communities. I strongly believe in the value of youth leading youth that RISE promotes!

Carla Claveau-Ferreira, Montreal Mentor, She/They

Age: 25

A song lyric that describes me… "We are family" by Sister Sledge

A book I would recommend is… All About Love by bell hooks

A movie that I would watch again and again… This is Us

An issue I care about is… Helping families heal

Why RISE?I want to be partaking in community discussions, healing and co-creating. As a mentor, I want to support the hub by offering a space to bounce ideas back and fourth with. I want to offer support by listening and having folks feel understood. I choose RISE as a place to meet my community.

Echo Jiang, Montreal Mentor, She/They

Age: 20

A song lyric that describes me… "Though I'm not an island I'm a body of water, jeweled in the evening a solitary daughter" - Solitary Daughter by Bedouine

A book I would recommend is… Nothing Fancy by Alison Roman (my fav cooking book!)

A movie that I would watch again and again… Nomadland!

An issue I care about is… Domestic Violence

Why RISE? To grow, create, and inspire! As a long-time event organizer and an adrenaline junkie, I love seeing community projects created by young people for great causes grow and trive. I've learned so much as an ambassador at RISE C7 and it is only just if I share it with others.

Mimi O'Handley, Halifax Mentor, She/Her

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Age: 20

A song lyric that describes me…

A book I would recommend is… How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell

A movie that I would watch again and again… Before Sunrise

An issue I care about is… changing how mainstream society teaches us to view the human-nature relationship by resisting the commodification and exploitation of the Earth and all life on it.

Why RISE? RISE is so wonderful because it gives inspired youth across Canada the opportunity to become more involved in their local communities, to learn and unlearn, to develop new interest and skills, and to connect with other amazing folks. I joined RISE as a mentor so that I could use my knowledge and experience as a community builder and former RISE ambassador to continue to work with like-minded people and to actively promote real change.