Inspiring Young Minds Through Corporate Volunteering: A Look Back at our First Thrive Day with HUB International Canada

On February 5, we hosted our inaugural Thrive Day in partnership with staff from HUB International Canada—and the energy in the room was electric! We brought together 150 kids from Vancouver for a day brimming with creativity, community, and hands-on exploration. Supported by 12 extraordinary volunteers from the HUB team, we transformed a single day into an experience that participants won’t soon forget.

Hands-On Activations

• Collaging with Sarah Thompson: Encourages creative problem-solving as participants combine different elements and ideas into one cohesive piece. This activity mirrors the leadership skill of synthesizing diverse perspectives to shape a shared vision.

• Oil Pastel Animal Drawing with Kat McPhee: Helps refine attention to detail and perseverance. Leaders who practice close observation and follow through on challenging tasks develop the resilience to guide a team through complex projects.

• Magic & Juggling with Sean Whittaker: Fosters adaptability and confidence under pressure. Staying poised while juggling or performing illusions mirrors a leader’s ability to think on their feet in dynamic environments.

• Weaving with Nicole Caspillo: Highlights patience and collaboration. Weaving demands focus on each thread’s role in creating a unified whole, just as strong leaders nurture each team member’s contribution toward a common goal.

• Improv with Samantha Noeth Lewis: Reinforces communication and teamwork. Quick-thinking exercises strengthen leaders’ capacity to listen actively, respond with empathy, and adapt to new ideas—crucial skills for guiding diverse groups.

  
  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  
  

The Volunteers Who Made It Happen

Our incredible volunteers from HUB were the linchpin of the day’s success! They greeted participants with excitement, supported workshop leaders, and helped shy students step out of their comfort zones. Their unwavering energy and encouragement turned a simple day into a transformative experience, showing the incredible impact caring adults can have on a child’s sense of belonging and self-belief.

Why It Matters

Thrive Day shone a spotlight on the incredible potential that emerges when young people connect with local artists, mentors, and volunteers from community-minded companies. By bringing these groups together to form a supportive network of caring adults, we spark creativity, foster meaningful relationships, and help youth build the confidence they need to thrive long after the day’s activities end.

Corporate volunteers are an incredibly important part of the impact that Thrive is able to drive. Delivering a program of this scale helps us deepen our relationships with teachers and administrators in our partner schools—ultimately allowing us to reach the children who need our programs most.Thrive Days have a lasting influence on our capacity to serve.

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to HUB and everyone who contributed to the success of this pilot event. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see how Thrive Day evolves to inspire even more young minds!

Interested in corporate volunteering opportunities for your team? Learn more here.

A Year of BTC: Building a Brighter Future for Toronto's Youth

At Thrive, we're always exploring innovative ways to grow and adapt to the needs of the young folks we work with, which can result in us developing and launching new programs based on their critical feedback and insights. We're excited to share the positive impact our newest program stream, Build to Change (BTC), has had in Toronto this past year. Thanks to generous support from the Peter Gilgan Foundation, the Counselling Foundation of Canada, and Ecclesiastical Insurance’s Community Impact Grant, we were able to pilot this program with 54 incredible young Torontonians across five cohorts, replicating the success we saw when we first piloted this program in Vancouver in 2023.  

What is BTC?

BTC is designed to equip youth with the essential skills they need to thrive in school, the workplace, and life. Over 10 sessions, youth ages 11 to 14 engage in interactive workshops, work with local guest artists, and craft collaborative projects, focusing on community, empathy, accountability, and self-reflection. Participants create final art pieces addressing social issues that matter to them, culminating in a celebration and presentation of their work.  

“I like the topics we talk about and it’s generally a safe space for all creativity.” BTC Participant, age 12

Exploring Different Formats

We piloted BTC in three distinct formats to ensure accessibility and cater to different learning styles:  

1. After-School at the Community Centre: This drop-in format offered flexibility and allowed youth to explore various topics and activities at their own pace.

2. School-Based Program: Integrated into school as an after-school program, this format was super accessible to students and provided a welcoming environment for wrapping up the day with great energy and creativity.

3. Intensive Summer Camp: Held at the Malvern Family Resource Centre, this immersive format allowed for deeper exploration of concepts and fostered strong bonds between participants.

Making a Difference

The BTC program has made a real difference in the lives of the participating youth. Pre- and post-program surveys showed noticeable improvements in their engagement with school, their outlook on future careers, and their belief in their ability to make a difference in their community. These are all great indicators of how they will move forward in life with confidence, helping them strive toward being the best versions of themselves that they want to be.

“This program made me understand that my voice matters.” BTC Participant, age 13

Here are some highlights:

• The program reached 54 youth, exceeding our initial goal.

• Participants showed significant growth in public speaking, problem-solving, creative expression, and thinking outside the box.

• Anonymous surveys showed that participants felt that BTC provided a safe and engaging space for them to learn and grow, with over 97% reporting that they found the program to be enjoyable, and 88.5% reporting that it met or exceeded their expectations.

• The pilot program has laid the groundwork for expanding BTC in Toronto.

BTC participants in action at the Malvern Family Resource Centre

What's Next?

We're committed to building on the success of the BTC pilot program and reaching even more youth in Toronto. We have plans to introduce an in-school BTC stream in partnership with several local schools, as well as expand our summer camp offerings. Our vision is to create a lasting support system for youth that grows with them, helping them transition into advanced leadership programs like our Youth Lead Impact (YLI) program.

Thank You, Supporters!

We're deeply grateful to the Peter Gilgan Foundation, the Counselling Foundation of Canada, and Ecclesiastical Insurance for their generous support of the BTC Toronto pilot. Their support made this opportunity possible and will continue to have a significant impact on the lives of Toronto's youth as we grow and expand this offering.

We're excited to see what the future holds for BTC and the amazing young people we work with. Stay tuned for updates on our journey!

A Magical Night at the Ballet: Thrive Youth Experience the Nutcracker!

On December 5th, we had the incredible opportunity to once again partner with the National Ballet of Canada's Share the Magic program. Thanks to their generosity, several of our Toronto children and their families were invited to experience the magic of The Nutcracker during its final dress rehearsal.

Imagine the excitement! For many families, attending a world-class ballet performance at the renowned Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts would normally be out of reach. But through Share the Magic, they were transported to a world of dancing snowflakes, mischievous mice, and the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy.

More Than Just a Show

Experiences like this go beyond simple entertainment. They ignite imaginations, inspire dreams, and create lasting memories. Exposure to the arts plays a vital role in a child's development, fostering creativity, confidence, and a sense of wonder.

Witnessing the dedication and artistry of the dancers firsthand can be truly transformative. It opens up a world of possibilities and shows children what can be achieved through hard work and passion.

A Night to Remember

The evening was filled with special moments. From learning a dance from The Nutcracker during the intermission workshop to the hush of the theatre as the performance began, the children were captivated. Even the unique experience of a dress rehearsal, with occasional pauses and the orchestra's continued playing during intermission, added to the behind-the-scenes thrill.

The Importance of Access

At Thrive, we believe that all children deserve access to enriching experiences that broaden their horizons. We are deeply grateful to the National Ballet of Canada and their Share the Magic program for making this unforgettable night possible.

By providing opportunities like this, we can help nurture the next generation of dreamers and changemakers.

Learn more about the National Ballet of Canada and their Share the Magic program here.