VANCOUVER — Telus Communications announced today the seven recipients of its inaugural Friendly Future Makers Awards, a program that recognizes and celebrates Canadian youth creating long-lasting change in their communities.
“This year’s recipients were identified as a result of a nationwide callout that invited Canadians to nominate a Friendly Future Maker in their life who is doing amazing things in their local community,” explains a press release.
A panel of Telus judges selected the award winners, “each representing one of TELUS’ areas of social purpose and driving force behind the TELUS brand,” the release says.
This year’s Friendly Future Makers Awards recipients are:
- Community Builder – Adara Hagman (ON), co-creator of Chill Pill, “a safe and supportive community for female and non-binary Gen Z to discuss mental health,” the release explains. She is also building Gloclo – “a clothes-sharing platform aimed at reducing waste by promoting circular fashion, creating a more circular tomorrow.”
- Hunger Hero – Georgia Apostolopoulos (ON), founder of Bank on Bellies, “a non-profit organization that partners with schools, local businesses, and corporations to help support local food drives across the Greater Toronto Area.” To date, she has collected 14,700 food items and $31,791 for local food banks.
- Health & Wellness Helper – Athena Woodford (NS), who raises awareness about the issues of sexual assault and sex trafficking, helping build healthier communities. “With support from their peers, Woodford speaks on the issue at local schools and sells merchandise to raise money for Action Canada, a sexual rights and health organization.”
- Planet Protector – Aryan Gautam (ON), the youngest member of several councils including Ontario Nature Youth Council and the Youth Director of Mississauga Climate Action. He “has committed over 10,000 volunteer hours, to date, spreading awareness about climate change, philanthropy and environmentalism.”
- Connection Enabler – Keeya Beausoleil (AB), founder of a non-profit organization, Out of Sight, In Mind, “an initiative designing a durable, practical storage cart for Edmontonians experiencing homelessness through inclusive design and risk-reduction.”
- Future Friendly Maker – Austin Ma (BC), co-founder of the Coding Pals Foundation, a non-profit organization that has taught coding to more than 1,600 low-income kids since its founding in March 2020. “Coding Pals continues to be the only non-profit organization in Vancouver that offers computer programming lessons at no cost. Today, Austin leads a team of over 20 high schoolers, running dozens of enriching year-round programs.”
- Future Friendly Maker – Juliette Décarie (QC), “a committed ambassador for the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation which focuses on fostering an inclusive community that celebrates physical, psychological, cultural and sexual differences on social networks.” On Oct. 1, Décarie began her fundraising journey with a goal of raising $10,000 for the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation and embarked on a half marathon, travelling 22 km between Laval and Montreal.
Each award recipient will receive a prize package worth $7,000, including $5,000 to help fund their initiatives or to invest in a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), a $1,000 Telus gift card, and a $1,000 donation to a registered charity of their choice.
“With the Friendly Future Makers Awards, we’re celebrating the inspiring young leaders who are making a meaningful impact today and helping shape the world we will live in tomorrow,” said Jill Schnarr, chief social innovation and communications officer at Telus, in the release.
“This award demonstrates the power that imagination and innovation can unlock when youth are empowered to realise their full potential. From giving back to their communities, caring for the health and well-being of our planet, or helping feed those in need, it’s inspiring to see how many young Canadians are committed to helping make the future friendly. We want to thank everyone that entered and wish all the Friendly Future Makers Awards recipients a heartfelt congratulations,” Schnarr said.
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