City announces Fall 2024 Community Changemakers Program in partnership with Laurier

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford, in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University, is excited to once again offer the Community Changemakers Program this fall with the theme of “Cultivating Belonging.” Now in its ninth year, this collaborative initiative invites individuals and groups to develop a program, service or event that can support the development of belonging and social inclusion in Brantford.

This free six-week program begins on Thursday, October 17 and will run every Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford Campus. The program focuses on community development topics such as project management, budgeting, marketing, evaluation and sustainability planning, and will also incorporate presentations from local experts and in-class mentorship to help develop ideas based on:

• Creating cultural associations
• Safer-spaces projects
• Events or campaigns to support intercultural learning
• Anti-hate awareness campaigns
• Allyship information or resources

Upon completion of the program, participants are invited to present their idea to a panel of judges where select projects may be awarded up to $2,000 in funding to assist with launching their initiative. All successful participants will receive a program certificate from Wilfrid Laurier University.

“Wilfrid Laurier is proud to work in partnership with the City of Brantford to deliver another round of transformative and innovative programming,” says Julie Perkins, Laurier LaunchPad Program Coordinator. “Year over year, we have seen projects that have enhanced our parks, revitalized neighbourhoods, supported those in need, promoted different cultures and developed community connections.”

Due to its success last year, the 2024 theme is once again “Cultivating Belonging” in an effort to encourage participants to bring forward more ideas that support the development of belonging and inclusion in the City. Some of last year’s successful projects included: the launch of the Tamil Cultural association, a single-mom’s clothing exchange, a senior’s social club, the addition of inclusion and diversity-themed educational children’s books to Brantford’s Little Libraries, and a drop-in social space for youth and young adults with disabilities.

"Last year's program was so successful, and we were excited to see so many projects that positively impacted youth, seniors, the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and cultural groups within Brantford,” says Amy Brandt, Community Initiatives Coordinator, City of Brantford. “For participants who are passionate about making a difference, Changemakers provides them with the necessary tools, skills and resources to positively impact their community."

Applicants can now apply as an individual or group at bit.ly/Changemaker2024. Participants must be over the age of 18 and priority admission will be given to those who have not previously participated in the program. Applicants are encouraged to bring an idea they are ready to implement or may develop a project while participating in the program. Applications for this program will be accepted until October 11^th and successful applicants will be notified of their acceptance by email no later than October 15^th.

Projects like Community Changemakers demonstrate the City of Brantford’s commitment to increasing opportunities for residents to feel a sense of connection to their community. These commitments are reflected in the City’s Inclusive Community Plan, which aims to promote opportunities to support diversity, inclusion and developing a community in which every person feels safe and welcome.

To learn more about Brantford’s Inclusive Communities Plan visit Brantford.ca/InclusiveCommunity.

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Media Contact:
Kelly Page | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext. 5779 | kpage@brantford.ca