activism Me to We: Take Action Academy | Youthink
Image credit:  Me to We | The Take Action Academy is ideal for youth interested in social change.

Me to We: Inspiring Youth To Take Action

by Emily Chan - Riverside Secondary, Coquitlam BC May 20, 2011

Me to We's Take Action Academy builds youth activists and lifelong friendships.

 
One of the most interesting things about being part of the Me to We Mobilizers is hearing what inspired others to get involved in social change. I first became interested in humanitarian issues after seeing a reporter named Lisa Ling speaking on the Oprah Show. I have a friend who became interested in social change while on a trip to Ottawa, and another who grew up in a household where activism was the norm.

For Lisa Ball, however, it wasn’t a news report or a trip or her family that hooked her on global issues, it was a summer camp. In fact, Lisa has attended Me to We’s Take Action Academy not once, not twice, but four consecutive years. For her, this week-long, social-justice-themed camp has been the gateway to a life of social activism.

It’s quite amusing to talk with Lisa about her experiences, because while she is exuberant and excited in her praise of the program, she is also sincere and, at times, frank. She admits that, initially, she didn’t want to give up a week of her summer to the Academy - her parents virtually forced her into going!

But, according to Lisa, her point of view changed as soon as her week kicked off. Through workshops on social justice, free time to bond with participants from around the world, and inspirational speakers, Lisa found herself dramatically affected by the Academy - so affected that she’s returned every summer since, and now has close friends from as far away as California and Hong Kong.

Mitch Harris, a leadership outreach and development co-ordinator for Me to We, is also a Take Action Academy veteran. He knows many students who, like Lisa, were changed by Academy. One of his favourite stories is about a student who began the week terrified of public speaking, but left the week with the confidence to approach his principal and eventually the rest of his school district, spreading the positive messages he picked up over his summer adventure.

“All these different people come together that are involved and passionate about social justice and want to change the world, and it creates an energy and an atmosphere that is not your ordinary summer camp,” he describes. “I think that the part that makes it special is that, even for the staff members, it’s not a summer job. It’s their life and their passion.”

According to both Mitch and Lisa, the best part of the week is not the workshops or tasty food, or the chance to spend a week up at UBC, or even Take Action Day when students have the opportunity to volunteer in the community. It’s the lifelong friendships that develop at Academy that make the experience what it is.

“It doesn’t stop at the end of the summer,” stresses Mitch. “It’s not just one week. It’s about becoming part of a community and becoming part of a movement.”

For more information on Me to We’s Take Action Academy, registration and bursary applications, please visit http://www.metowe.com/leadership/take-action/ or contact Mitch Harris at mitch@metowe.com.
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