Blooming in the Face of Crohn’s: My Journey with The Lotus Project

When most of my friends were going to dance classes or sleepovers, I was by my mom’s side, holding her hand or making her toast. At six, I didn’t understand why she was always sick, losing weight, and in the hospital for weeks. My mom suffers from Crohn’s disease, a condition that causes inflammation in …

Equitable Access to Cancer Treatment: Breaking Down Barriers

Equitable access to medical treatment for cancer patients is a critical issue that affects health outcomes and overall quality of life. Cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies, can be costly and are often beyond the financial reach of many patients, especially when not fully covered by public health systems. In …

Letter From Our Founder: Progress and Partnership

As 2024 enters its final stretch, we’re filled with a mix of gratitude and optimism. The generosity and passion of our supporters, both new and long-standing, continue to amaze us. It’s this shared commitment that allows us to remain dedicated in our pursuit of micro-impact initiatives that truly uplift communities. Our work with Inspira in …

Battling the Reading Gap: Project Butterfly Takes Flight

Reading struggles in early grades are more prevalent than we often acknowledge. A significant portion, around 20-30%, of young learners grapple with reading difficulties. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, my teammate Matthew Newman and I embarked on a journey to make a difference. Over 18 months ago, the concept of “Project Butterfly,” a free …

Youth Engagement: The Paradox of Social Awareness and Activism in the Digital Age

Youth have often been the catalysts for change, stirring the currents of society with passionate activism and unwavering idealism. In today’s interconnected world, the younger generation stands at the forefront of social awareness, fueled by the omnipresence of social media platforms, where peers are pressured into sharing sensitive images of war crimes, political campaigns, and …

My Maccabiah Games Journey: More than Just Medals

The 2022 Maccabiah Games in Israel were a whirlwind of emotions, adrenaline, and personal growth. As a 15-year-old swimmer representing Canada, I was thrilled to be competing on an international stage for the first time. Making it to the finals in several races was a huge accomplishment, but the experience offered so much more than …

The Unexpected Leadership Lessons of a Losing Hockey Team

Leadership is a fascinating thing, and it looks different for everyone. My younger sister was a natural leader from the start, but for me, it’s been a journey.  One that took a surprising turn during my years playing on a hockey team that wasn’t exactly… successful. Over three seasons, we won less than 10% of …