We are currently running a Passion Project at Bryne Creek Secondary school in Burnaby, BC and it needs our communities support.

Please take a moment and view the details here.

Are you passionate about social change?

Passion Foundation is a unique Canadian charity created to greatly improve the lives of girls and young women 11-24 years of age to help them realize and live out their full potential. We provide project-based programs for girls to learn hands-on leadership skills to enhance their future.

Currently we are seeking two vibrant and extra-ordinary part time interns to assist for a six-month term.

While working with us you will have the opportunity to assist the Executive Director on the development of the organization, daily administration duties, as well as assist with community outreach.

Key responsibilities include directly working with the Executive Director 6-10 hours per week on organizational development including but not limited to:

• Business planning,
• Creating a community database,
• Setting up distribution lists,
• Building community relationships,
• Event planning and
• Report writing

Qualifications

• Currently a 3^rd or 4th^th year student in a CYCC/ CYW program, a student in Business or related field working toward a MA or MBA
• At least 3 years working in a community setting
• 1-2 years of administration experience
• Ability to problem solve quickly
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Strong communication skills
• Strong editing and writing skills
• Strong computer skills: Microsoft Office
• Ability to work independently (remotely) as well as within a team
• A passion for community development

Deliverables

• Update and enhance business plan
• Create an easy-to-use community database
• Set up community distribution lists
• Build community network with organizations across British Columbia
• Create one small event with support of our advisors and volunteers
• Complete a report at end of internship

Benefits

• Get first hand knowledge on organizational development
• Extremely valuable real world skills to put on your resume
• Connection to our amazing network of business and community leaders
• Mention on our website and newsletter
• Upon successful completion a reference letter
• Flexibility in working from home/office

Please submit resume to info@passionfoundation.com with subject title Executive Intern by May 25, 2012 at 3pm

Every youth I’ve worked with over the last 11 years has had an impact on my life but a few of them truly stand out. One young woman in particular has showed me a thing or two about the realities of life.  Her name is Jade.

I met Jade in 2010 when I did a Passion Project in the Burnaby Youth Custody Center. She was a leader inside; there was no doubt about that.

She was harsh, scarred, and in your face and at other times dismissive. She had an infectious laugh and no stranger to street life. She’s the type of person that I automatically get really curious about. For many reasons we connected.

After our 8-10 week Passion Projects are completed I offer any girl who wants additional support/coaching the option to continue working with me. Jade automatically asked for more help. For the next 8 months I went at least 3 times a month to the prison for a visit with her. We’d work on whatever she wanted to work on. Sometimes it was goal setting around her school work, sometimes it was looking at options of work when she got on the “outs” and  sometimes it was me asking her questions and listening to her story. She challenged me as much as I challenged her. When she was moved to an adult facility (now 19) to complete the remainder of her four year sentence (she was denied parole) I continued to support her. Every month I go to see her. I drive an hour there, spend about one and a half hours with her and then drive home. She has no other visitors. We continue to talk about her possibilities in life. We continue to talk about her challenges. And we continue to work on bringing her potential into the world in a bigger, brighter way.

Last week we talked about Jade having her own blog on our website.  She’ll write me letters and we will post them for her. Her integration with a new world starts here.

She’s also given me permission to write about working with her.  I think it’s important that people see both sides of a coin before they make a judgement. In my eyes Jade and many many girls like her are miracles. Their stories is heart breaking and at times brutal but when ignited their spirit shines like no other.

I feel extremely privilege to do this line of work. For the last 11 years youth have let me in their deepest and most raw emotions,  and then share their inspiration with me. It is a sincere honour.

By sharing some of my experiences of working with Jade my hope is that people will see that EVERY girl is valuable, that there is hope and when girls feel purposeful beautiful things happen.

(Picture description: Jade has nine months left on her sentence. She currently spends part of her day working for the dog training and care program at the institution and the other part in a therapeutic development program. When she talks about the dogs she cares for her entire being lights up.)

Once a month I’ll update the blog with posts entitled “Working with Jade”

-Loretta

ED/ Founder

My grandfather had many obstacles and set backs in his life but he didn’t give up. Yesterday was my Nonno’s ( Giovanni Marcuzzi’s) birthday and although we didn’t make the restaurant happen by our goal date we haven’t given up either!

We’ve had some set backs. A few really. The last year has been a HUGE learning curve and rather than jumping into something and doing it only at half capacity we decided to wait to do it 100%. Building this is important to me and many others. The idea of Giovanni’s Passion is not to just to live out the dream of my grandfather but to provide young women with an employment opportunity like no other. An opportunity for young women not only to build employment skills but also to learn about community, about carrying themselves well in this world and living fully. It is an opportunity full of possibilities and we need to make sure it’s sustainable and supported well.

We’ve all seen many businesses come and go and even more so social enterprises. In honour of Giovanni we need to make this happen when all the pieces of the puzzle are present.

Although an often tough and opinionated man my grandfather had a very soft heart. He would offer help whenever someone needed it and when he’d sit in front of the television and see an ad for people in need he would ask my grandmother to send a little money. He worked hard for the life he lead and knew the challenges of poverty and being an immigrant well. He also never forgot that opportunities he had in his life time because of people who provided him with opportunities when he came to Canada. It was those people and their families that allowed him the space to make his life a reality and it is with that that I am moved to the same.

If it was not for the people who have surrounded me and provided me the tools I’ve needed along the way I would not be working out the details to make more opportunities for young women in such a BIG and powerful way.

A special thanks to:

Aiyanna from Bandidas Taqueria

Scott Hawthorn of wayyyy to make things to list (Salt Tasting Room, Native Shoes, etc)

Joel Solomon of Renewal 2

Cory LePage

Madeleine Shaw of Lunapads

Pam Chaloult of Renewal 2

Wayne Holmes of Spectra Foods

Jon Cohen and Margot White, Passion Directors

Loretta A. Cella

Founder and ED of Passion Foundation

A note from our Executive Director:

“What does Global Sorority have to do with Canadian girls?” “If you’re organization is a CANADIAN charity why involve girls overseas?”

Over the past few days I’ve been asked by a number of people what a mini documentary series about girls around the world has to do with local girls. Aren’t the issues, challenges, and mission completely different? The answer is simple… No!

No matter where in the world I have gone girls struggle with finding their authentic voice. Leaders around the world have stated that educated and empowered girls will help change our future.

Every time the spirit of young women is sparked she will automatically share it with others.

Last week I was at Byrne Creek Community School in Burnaby, BC informing a small group of young women on the Passion Foundation and Passion Projects. When I brought up Global Sorority they got the connection right away. Shared voices, different perspectives = openmindedness and an opportunity to come together for change.

From my experiences, girls in developing nations come from a deep place of community. They work from a “we” place in life. The “I” place is often lost. And even though most girls that I’ve worked with locally are moving toward a “we” place in life Western culture in fact supports a more “I” centered place of achievement often based on what others think they should do or be.

What if there was a possibility that girls from developing nations could educate girls from developed nations and vice versa by sharing their stories and sharing their authentic voices? Here’s a great example of what is possible

What if the change the world is needing comes from these young women coming together with the right support to take their leadership to the next level?

I am extremely excited that we will have many young Metro Vancouver girls and women interested in becoming involved in the development of this project and we look forward to moving it forward.

Tia and I deeply appreciate everyone’s support. We’ve had so many amazing people step up to support our vision and share such words of encouragement. We have 8 days left to make this a reality. And we need your support to provide the opportunity to so many more.

Warmly
Loretta.

When girls learn something new the first thing they do is share it with others. We know that the world is changing and it’s up to our youth to make a difference for our future.

That’s why our Executive Director Loretta Cella and Tia Kelly are launching a journey to connect with 100 young women in the world.

Check it out!

Please take a moment to help us spread the word. Simply go here and make a pledge and share the link in your community.

Every pledge counts!

UPDATED:

We are so excited for the opportunity to partner and collaboration with many amazing Vancouver organizations to make this possible including.

Projecting Change Film Festival
Stratosphere International Community Education
Byrne Creek Community School
Intersections Media Opportunities for Youth Society

My name is Rahael Yohannes, I’m 19 years old. Just recently, I returned from the most amazing trip of my life; Ethiopia. I travelled there with my dad with the sole intent on visiting family I have never met before. From my Aunts and Uncles, all the way to my Grandparents. Being immersed in the culture and lifestyle at full blast was one of the most incredible experiences EVER! (more…)

What a remarkable year it has been for the Passion Foundation. We have so much to be grateful for and extend our appreciation to all our supporters and the young women who are doing so many great things in their communities. (more…)

Do we have a contest for you. Winner gets a $100 gift certificate to the well known Rodney’s Oyster House in Yaletown, Vancouver, BC

Here are the details:

Passion Foundation is having a fundraising event on Sept 8th from 530-830p in Vancouver. That’s next week!

It’s going to be a great evening of food and wine, a mini seminar with Advanced Spa Technologies, a skin consultation and more!

The first person to sell 10 tickets to their network wins the gift certificate. It’s that easy!!! Talk to your friends, co-workers, neighbours, and tweet away!

Track the names of your guests and email them to us.

Have questions contact us at  info@passionfounation.org

Thanks to Reel Youth we were able to get three amazing videos into the United Way Care to Change contest this month.

Please take a moment and check out our videos and help the youth win by voting!

AGE OF VULNERABILITY
HER STORY
GOING NOWHERE