Programs Resuming
Welcome to the latest edition of the Adventure4Change Community Newsletter, where we bring you all the exciting updates and happenings from our vibrant community!
This quarter, we’ve ramped up our children’s programming to provide even more opportunities for learning and growth. Our Children’s Tutoring & STEM program, in partnership with Laurier’s Faculty of Education, offers academic support alongside hands-on experiences. Recently, we had baby goats visit to teach the children about animals and their habitats in an interactive way! Additionally, our A4C Kids Club has been a huge hit, offering a range of physical activities and creative endeavors to foster socio-emotional skills and exploration.
Youth Empowerment through Connect
The Youth Connect program continues to empower youth by providing opportunities to build relationships and explore new experiences within the KW community. From tubing at Chicopee to attending KW Titan basketball games, our youth have been busy exploring and engaging with their community in meaningful ways.
The Young Queens and Young Princesses explored conversations about loving themselves and others within the collective. They also celebrated black history month and had their moms join them to celebrate international women’s day. In this same period, Young Queens and Princesses also got a chance to do some hands-on group activities like learning to make bread and candles.
Mom’s Coffee & Conversations moved to the local elementary school, Cedarbrae Public School. This is closer to the community, and has encouraged better attendance for the program. The first quarter had special guests from the WRDSB, Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health, Brighter future project and Children Services of Waterloo Region. These engagements are resulting in better engagement with the systems in the larger community..
The mom’s weekly sewing classes have gone up to three times a week as there are more adults interested in learning the skill so they can make items for their families.
Our mom’s networking program, Coffee & Conversations, moved to the local elementary school, Cedarbrae Public School. This is closer to the community, and has encouraged better attendance for the program. The first quarter had special guests form the WRDSB, Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health, Brighter Future Project and Children Services of Waterloo Region. These engagements are resulting in better knowledge about and interest in the systems that exist in the Waterloo Region.
The weekly sewing classes have gone up to three times a week as there are more adults interested in learning the skill so they can sew unique items for their families.
Overall, these programs cater to community needs and to various age groups and interests, fostering connections, personal growth, and well-being.
Brand Refresh
February was our month of new beginnings as we launched our brand refresh. If you missed it here is our logo and what it communicates.
The circular emblem contains three individuals representing the newcomers to the neighbourhoods Adventure4Change serves. As a community-centric organization, people are at the heart of all we do.
Above these individuals is a shining sun representing the warm transmutable force of positive energy to uplift and transform. Just as we need the sun to sustain life, we need to build sustainable communities represented by the inclusion of nature, a butterfly and leaf, in harmony with people. As a people serving people organization, communication, as represented with the speech balloon, represents building connections between people, partners, resources and communities.
Overall, the brand emblem colour pallet is bright, cheerful and uplifting. The logo inspires change through positive transformation attained through truly making an impact within communities through the people who sustain and support them.
Social Ventures Partner (SVP) Perfect pitch
A4C participated in the 2024 SVP Perfect Pitch, where we got to share our story to a wide audience of people. This audience comprised those who knew about our organization and what we do, those who have never heard about us and those who often wondered who we are and why we exist or what is different about our organization.
After 6 sessions of preparations with SVP selected coaches, our Executive Director delivered a pitch that is changing the trajectory of our engagement with all our stakeholders. This night will remain in our hearts as our opportunity to tell over 400 attendees who we are, why we exist and what we do.
Our elevator pitch will be something like “Adventure4Change works in low-income neighborhoods in North Waterloo to inspire hope, create change and rewrite people’s stories one person and neighborhood at a time.” This clarity of purpose is our gift from our participation at the 2024 Perfect Pitch. We continue to appreciate the opportunity provided by the SVP Waterloo Region team and our amazing coaches.
New Staff
In January, two new part-time staff joined the A4C team. Abdulbasad Nour and Noor Zia. These two amazing individuals live in the neighborhoods we serve and have volunteered with the organization for many years. Abdulbasad was a former youth participant in our programs and now works as a part-time soccer program assistant on the Youth Engagement Team. Noor has joined as a part-time sewing program assistant. Their valuable lived community lens adds a unique perspective to our team and the organization. We are excited to have them as part of our team.
Leadership Development & Mentorship
Trips and experiences are a part of the A4C’s transformative change model for community engagement. During March Break of this year, 24 youth in groups of 8 over 3 weekends had a leadership experience hours away from their home to the popular Tecasy Ranch in Peterborough, Ontario. Some activities at this out trip include: snowshoeing through the fields, enjoying maple syrup only hours after it flowed from the trees, conversations around a bonfire, pedaling through the trails on a mountain bike, enjoying a thoughtful walk, or laughing heartily around the dining table.
Cultural Fundraising Event
A4C is currently planning a one of a kind Community Cultural Event. This event will be an opportunity to listen to inspiring stories of resilience from families adapting to life in a new country. It will also include a cultural fashion show as well as a display of cultural items made by moms in the community. Some of these items will be on sale.
There is also a plan to show a short film with a full cast from the communities we serve. This is their story told in a movie. The excitement with this project has been palpable and we cannot wait to show you the gems that exist in the neighbourhoods we serve. Watch out for the invite in your mailbox in the coming days.