A Quarter of Exciting Programs!
The first quarter of 2025 has been a rewarding one for Adventure4Change as we kicked off our programs in January with renewed energy. It’s been inspiring to see so many familiar faces and new participants eager to reconnect, learn, and build community. Attendance has been strong across all programs, highlighting the lasting value and impact of these initiatives. From youth programs to community gatherings, our spaces have been alive with activity and meaningful conversations.
Basadi Sewing – Empowering Women Through Skill & Enterprise
At the Work Integrated Social Enterprise (WISE) convention in Ottawa, which focused on Black and racialized communities, our Social Enterprise Lead, Mujidat, shared the inspiring story of Basadi Sewing and its profound impact on the lives of women. More than just a social enterprise, Basadi is a movement empowering mothers to achieve financial independence while building valuable skills that change their lives and communities.
Through creative expression, professional sewing services, and public classes, women are turning their talents into sustainable livelihoods. Basadi not only creates economic opportunities but also nurtures a supportive community where participants lift each other up, share knowledge, and build essential skills for long-term success and clothing upkeep.
This year, Basadi is launching the Mom’s Sewing Empowerment Program, a hands-on initiative designed to equip mothers with the sewing techniques and soft skills needed to advance their careers as seamstresses and tailors. With expert training, confidence-building, and practical experience, they’ll gain the tools to refine their craft and achieve financial stability.
With every stitch, these mothers are weaving a brighter future for themselves and their families. Want to be part of this change? Mujidat and her team are offering paid sewing classes to the public this spring! Click below to learn more.
Tecasy Boys & Girls Retreat – A Transformative Experience
Adventure4Change is committed to using trips and experiences as powerful tools to transform the minds of our youth and connect them with diverse communities. Our annual winter trip to Tecasy Ranch in Buckhorn, ON was more than just an adventure – it was a chance for youth to build resilience, teamwork, and self-confidence. The boys’ and girls’ groups took part in exciting activities like snowshoeing and fat tire biking, a first for many participants.
After a day of outdoor fun, they gathered around a campfire to reflect on growth, perseverance, and development. The conversations sparked during this time focused on career paths, goal-setting, and personal growth, leaving everyone feeling inspired. These trips create lasting connections among peers and offer exposure to positive adult role models, with the impact resonating long after the trip has ended.
Empowering Girls Through Sports: Building Confidence & Community
As girls grow older, their participation in sports drops significantly, with as many as 62% choosing not to engage at all. Recognizing this gap, Adventure4Change launched a year-round Girls’ Sports program last year, designed to build confidence, teamwork, and leadership. The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants gaining athletic skills, sports knowledge, and, most importantly, a sense of belonging and empowerment.
What truly sets this program apart is its community-driven approach: girls and their mothers are actively involved in shaping the experience, ensuring it reflects their needs and aspirations. This has fostered increased self-confidence, stronger peer relationships, and even opened doors for participants to join school teams.
Beyond the physical benefits, the program is shifting the narrative around fitness by emphasizing health and well-being. By creating an inclusive, supportive space, Adventure4Change is helping to close the gender gap in sports, empowering young women to develop lifelong healthy habits and the confidence to thrive both on and off the field.
Black Student Associations – GRCI & EDSS
Adventure4Change continues its partnership with Black Student Associations at two WRDSB high schools, focusing on celebrating Black excellence, fostering belonging, and supporting school events. This quarter, we had the privilege of helping organize three Black Brilliance events, including Elmira District Secondary School’s inaugural Black Brilliance event—a milestone that highlights the growing recognition of Black students’ contributions within their school community.
To wrap up Black History Month, Adventure4Change also supported Black Student Union (BSU) students from Grand River Collegiate in organizing a Black Brilliance event at McKenzie Public School. The younger children were inspired by the positive role models from Grand River Collegiate, engaging deeply with the event’s message of empowerment.
This experience encouraged the younger students to envision brighter futures, contribute positively to their schools, develop creative solutions, and strengthen their sense of belonging.
Youth to SHAD – Expanding Opportunities
In keeping with our transformative approach of using trips and experiences to empower youth, Adventure4Change has partnered with SHAD Canada to send three young people from our community to this year’s SHAD program. This incredible opportunity exposes them to university-level content in STEAM and entrepreneurship, while also providing access to top national mentors who will guide them in leadership and career development.
Young Queens – Empowering Young Women of Color
As the year progresses, the Young Queens program continues to provide a safe and empowering space for young women of color in North Waterloo. During Black History Month, participants explored the stories of inspiring Black leaders, strengthening their self-confidence and sense of identity. The impact of these discussions goes far beyond historical knowledge; they empower young women to embrace their heritage, dream bigger, and step into leadership roles within their communities, knowing that a world of possibilities awaits them.
Youth Tutoring – A Growing Success!
For many youth, tutoring at Adventure4Change has become a weekly highlight, with students eagerly looking forward to each session. What might seem like a simple break from routine is actually a testament to the program’s growing popularity and its positive impact on academic confidence. As a gateway to future success, the program provides crucial support whether students are preparing for exams, working on group projects, or receiving one-on-one help. One thing is clear: they are gaining the academic tools they need to thrive.
Family Event
On March 12th, Adventure4Change brought together 50 children and 20 mothers for a Family Event at the Hub, creating a space where families could celebrate the year so far and strengthen their bonds through shared experiences. These events aim to be more than just gatherings they serve as a foundation for fostering healthy family dynamics, encouraging play, teamwork, and quality family time in a fun and welcoming environment.
Through interactive, family-focused games and arts and crafts, parents and children participated in activities that promoted cooperation, problem-solving, and joy. The event also featured a signature snack break an A4C tradition that became a moment of connection. Families shared a meal and worked together to clean up, reinforcing values of responsibility and unity.
These events have become a powerful tool for nurturing strong, resilient family relationships, providing families with positive, community driven spaces where they can grow and thrive together.
Neighborhood Nursing Team
Every Monday morning, mothers from the community gather at Cedarbrae Public School for Coffee & Conversation with Adventure4Change staff, creating a welcoming space where they can find support and share experiences. This February, Public Health’s Neighbourhood Nursing and Community Outreach teams joined our Peer Health Worker, Hibatu, for a discussion on vaccinations. The session provided vital health information, empowering our mothers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions for their families.
The exchange of personal experiences and cultural perspectives emphasized the importance of accessible healthcare education, helping to strengthen the trust between the community and public health services.
The Return to Our Hub Space – Additional Space
Adventure4Change is excited to announce that we’ve officially expanded into the well-known Hub Space downstairs a place full of nostalgia for many, as it was A4C’s home for years. This newly accessible space will now host a variety of activities, including Moms’ parties, girls’ and moms’ fitness classes, English literacy sessions, and Basadi Sewing Groups. We’re thrilled to bring this meaningful space back to life and make it a hub for connection, growth, and community!
