What an extraordinary adventure we’ve experienced with the 2024 Press Start CoLab Program! This year’s cohort of enthusiastic and passionate young changemakers has brilliantly demonstrated how innovation, purpose, and compassion can unite to tackle one of the most critical challenges we face today—the mental health crisis in Canada.
Throughout the 10-week program, a remarkable group of young innovators (ages 18-29) took part in our innovation accelerator program, thoughtfully designed with entrepreneurial tools, resources, and mentorship to create minimal viable solutions for Mental Health Crisis in Canada. From improving access to mental health services to combating the negative stigma surrounding mental health, this program has truly empowered a new generation of leaders to collaborate and implement genuine change in their communities.
Congratulations to this year’s Emerging Social Innovators and grant recipients, who received access to a total pool of $70,000+ in grants and awards. We thank our extraordinary partners and contributors, including our grant sponsors – North Cover, RMA, and GenRe. Your support has been pivotal in making the 2024 CoLab Program such a phenomenal success. We can’t wait to share the inspiring stories and remarkable accomplishments that have emerged from this community!
Tackling Canada’s Mental Health Crisis with Bold New Solutions
As in previous years, this year’s program focused on tackling the Mental Health Crisis in Canada. Through collaborative discussions in 2023 with an esteemed panel of mental health experts, we have solidified four key areas for youth changemakers to dive into.
The Four Sub-Focus Areas:
- Accessibility and Navigation of Mental Health Services
- Stigma and Misinformation Around Mental Health
- Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity in Mental Health Resources
- Inclusive and Evidence-Based Research on Mental Health
Celebrating 2024 CoLab Program Grant Recipients
After weeks of hard work, collaboration, and innovation, participants submitted their final proposals to be reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges. We are proud to share that these fantastic grant recipients are currently bringing their impactful solutions to life:
- The Empowerful Project by Aqil Raharjo and Nicole Wong is a groundbreaking initiative that uses a unique three-step solution to support individuals in their recovery from mental health crises.
- The Meaningfully Empowering the NeuroDivergent (MEND) Initiative by Abitha Suthakaran: A web-based toolkit offering personalized mental health resources and a moderated community for Autistic adults in the Greater Toronto Area.
- Ditzy Magazine by Selvi Sert: A biannual print and digital publication designed for women with ADHD in adulthood, blending scientific rigor and lived experiences to reframe how we talk about ADHD in women.
- BIPOC Journalist Mental Health Association (BJMHA) by Kuwarjeet Singh Arora: A vital platform supporting the mental health and well-being of BIPOC journalists, with a strong focus on advancing equity and inclusion in the media industry.
- Project FitMind by Joshua Nanan: A transformative project integrating structured exercise into community-based mental health programs to foster resilience and recovery.
- The Better Tomorrow Project by Kyle Moore: A trailblazing initiative aiming to revolutionize how Canadian entrepreneurs access mental health care through strategic partnerships and services.
- The Addy Club by Lucie Soicher: A Toronto-based community and apparel brand dedicated to shifting the conversation around ADHD, with a focus on neurodivergent women who are often overlooked and diagnosed later in life.
- Pacific Pride Health by Anoushka Thakkar: A platform providing a safe, affirming space for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to access harm reduction and healthcare services while breaking down stigma and barriers.
- The Turtle Island Wellness Network by Syndel Thomas Kozar: A groundbreaking digital resource offering culturally relevant, barrier-free mental health and wellness services for Indigenous peoples with a deep connection to traditional healing practices.
Honoring Exceptional Achievements: CoLab Program Awards
In addition to the impressive grants and funding, the CoLab Program celebrated outstanding achievements with three esteemed awards: The People’s Choice Award, The Community Choice Award, and The Teachers Life Award. Each of these awards came with a $500 honorarium, celebrating the creativity and impact of the recipients:
- Kyle Moore – People’s Choice Award
- Nebiyou Timotewos – Community Choice Award
- Aizenosa Idahosa – Teachers Life Award
Congratulations to these visionary changemakers for their outstanding work and well-deserved recognition!
The Power of Connection: Proposal Video Submissions
This year, our changemakers shared their ideas in a powerful new way: through 3-minute video proposals that allowed them to connect with the CoLab community and the public personally. These videos weren’t just pitches – they were a preview of each participant’s thoughtful mission. Click here to watch the incredible video proposals from 2024 and be inspired by their vision for the future.
Expanding Opportunities Through In-Kind Partnerships
In addition to the grants, our generous partners have provided in-kind opportunities that will further amplify the changemakers’ impact. These opportunities include internships, entrepreneurial coaching, and specialized programs to ensure their incredible ideas continue to thrive.
Thank you to The Sandbox Project, The League of Innovators, Frame of Mind Coaching, and all our partners for providing these invaluable resources.
- The Sandbox Project: An internship/volunteer opportunity in a research/communications capacity for one program participant
- The League of Innovators: An opportunity for 1-10 grant recipients to join the League of Innovators 12-week Labs Program, designed to help entrepreneurs lock in their product market fit
- Post-Program Support and Entrepreneurial Coaching: 10 hours of individualized post-program support and entrepreneurial virtual coaching from Jessie Brar, available to four program participants
- Frame of Mind Coaching: Two free one-on-one consulting sessions with Kim Ades at Frame of Mind Coaching, valued at USD $1,500 per session
A Heartfelt Thank You
As we reflect on the success of the 2024 CoLab Program, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to the mentors, speakers, collaborators, and partners who made this year’s program a success. Thank you to all our partners, including Loran Scholars, Unsinkable, Kids Help Phone, jack.org, Common Good Solutions, Step Above Stigma, North Cover, RMA, GenRe, The Sandbox Project, Frame of Mind Coaching, and Melanated Guide, Innovators. A special thank you to our mentors: Patrick Glinski, Cheesan Chew, Keosha Love, Faduma Mohamed, Jonathan Friedman, Jonny Morris, Jessie Brar, Chey Kidd, Matthew Gaiser, and Lydia Sequeira. And, of course, a huge thank you to our program emcee, Kwame Osei, whose energy and passion helped bring this program to life.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year’s success. We can’t wait to see where the youth changemakers of 2024 will go next.
Stay Tuned for More Updates
The journey doesn’t end here. To learn more about this year’s program and stay updated with exciting future developments, including our 2025 Press Start Programs, visit our Press Start CoLab Program website.
We look forward to continuing to support inspiring youth changemakers as we strive towards a brighter future for mental health in Canada!
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