City of Brantford announces Fall 2023 Community Changemakers Program in partnership with Laurier

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Community Changemakers

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford, in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University, is excited to offer the Community Changemakers Program this fall with the theme of “Cultivating Belonging”. Now in its eighth 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.

The free six-week program begins on Wednesday, October 18 and will run every Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford Campus. The program will cover topics including project and budget management, creativity and idea validation, marketing, evaluating success, project sustainability planning, and establishing structure and governance of non-governmental organizations.

Participants will be invited to pitch their idea to a panel of City of Brantford judges on Wednesday, November 15. Selected projects will receive grant funding up to $2,000 to help launch initiatives developed during the program. All successful participants will receive a participation certificate from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Some examples of community-based projects that are relevant to the Community Changemakers Program include:

  • Creating cultural associations,
  • Safer-spaces projects,
  • Events or campaigns to support intercultural learning or anti-hate awareness,
  • Allyship information or resources,
  • Grass-roots organizations that connect volunteers with opportunities to meaningfully serve their community.

Applicants can apply as an individual or group now at bit.ly/changemaker-fall2023. Participants must be over the age of 18 to participate and may come to the program with an idea they are ready to develop and implement, or may develop a project idea while participating in the program. Applications for this program will be accepted until Sunday, October 15.

“The City is excited to once again partner with Wilfrid Laurier University on the Community Changemakers Program,” says Amy Brandt, Community Initiatives Coordinator, City of Brantford. “This program will help empower those with big ideas by providing them the tools, knowledge, and skills they need to succeed.”

“Wilfrid Laurier is excited work in partnership with the City of Brantford to deliver this dynamic and inclusive programming," says Julie Perkins, Laurier LaunchPad Program Coordinator.  "It is our hope that this program will offer City residents the opportunity to bring about positive change, have the opportunity to implement their ideas and foster belonging in their communities."

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Media Contact:
Chelsey Tobin | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext. 5048 | ctobin@brantford.ca