Hedley Rocks for Social Change at We Day 2010

Inspiring 18,000 youth to make a positive change in our world.
Empowering young leaders by showing them how to make a difference.
Realizing this is our generation, our world and we will not be apathetic.

On Oct. 15, 2010, youth will take over Rogers Arena in Vancouver for We Day, a Free the Children event that motivates teens through inspiring speakers and rockin’ live performances. The concert kicks off a year-long program for change, We Schools in Action, which aims to teach students about social issues and gives them the skills to improve their world.

Celebrity speakers and performers at We Day 2010 include former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, actor Martin Sheen – and multi-platinum recording artists Hedley. I recently got to catch up with Jacob Hoggard, the band’s lead singer, to find out more about Hedley’s involvement with We Day.

Hedley lead singer Jacob Hoggard in Kenya. | Photo courtesy of Free the Children

In 2009, Hedley performed at its debut We Day in Toronto and it was a really positive experience for the band. “Last year was really exciting because it was the first time that we performed on the We Day stage,” says Hoggard. “So being able to be present and involved in a community of new friends and bringing to the table something that we do best is not just an honour, but really exciting for us.”

But Hedley’s relationship with Free the Children extends beyond just We Day. The rockers teamed up with the charity back in 2009 and now act as ambassadors for the organization. As a band that has self-admittedly matured over the last couple of years, the boys of Hedley felt it was time to use their celebrity influence for good.

“The ability that an artist possesses – whether they like it or not – to affect change is very real and apparent,” says Hoggard. “I think it’s an important thing to take advantage of once you really understand what you’re holding in your hand.”

So that’s exactly what Hedley did – they just needed to find an organization that fit with what they believed in. “We started to look for somewhere that we could get involved with and call home and join a family,” says Hoggard, “And Free the Children is exactly that.”

Hedley guitarist Dave Rosin (right) in Kenya | Photo: Janelle McFarlane

Free the Children was founded in 1995 by international child rights activist, Craig Kielburger. With more than one million youth involved in 45 countries, it is the world’s largest network of children helping children. To date, Free the Children has built more then 650 schools around the globe, providing education to over 55,000 children.

Through their involvement with Free the Children, Hedley recently had the opportunity to travel to Kenya to see first-hand the work that the organization is doing. The highlight of the trip? “Going to see some of the schools and seeing how much work Free the Children has actually put into this and seeing it actually manifesting into something,” says Hoggard. “To see how much work they have actually put into that place and how much fruit was coming out of the project was really exciting for me.”

But Hedley didn’t just go to Kenya to see what was being done – they also went to contribute. “I was so excited that we got to go and help build houses in Kenya,” says Hoggard. “It was really exciting for me because I grew up in construction so it was really exciting to give back to something I used to love doing.”

Jacob Hoggard (left) and bass guitarist Tommy Mac in Kenya | Photo: Janelle McFarlane

As much as Hedley gave while in Kenya, they also gained a lot from the experience – and Hoggard says that even the band’s songwriting has been affected by the trip. “We’ve already been writing from a completely different standpoint and I think some of the content that we’ve been starting to come up with has really been representing where our frame of mind is because it’s easy to see how much it affected us by the song ideas we’ve been coming up with lately.”

“Once you go on a trip like that, and you really start to understand how large the world is, and how even though you’re waking up and falling asleep to an alarm clock and your microwave and you’ve got your air-conditioning on and your cable TV plugged in, that doesn’t mean that life isn’t still going on around you in other parts of the world in a much more different and difficult way sometimes. And so I guess it’s almost a constant reminder that I have now to remember what really is important and how many people do need our help,” says Hoggard.

So for youth looking to make a positive change in the world, Hoggard strongly encourages getting involved. “It’s such a positive outlet for a lot of kids. Had we had the same opportunities 10 to 15 years ago in school, I think we’d see already a much different world. So it’s very clear that change is taking place and the progression to developing a completely different frame of mind for students is happening... so right now it’s just kind of a matter of time.

Although our world may seem big at times and global issues impossible to solve, we need to remind ourselves that one person can make a difference. Take a cue from Hedley and remember that we are the children of change!

To find out more about Free the Children’s We Day, visit weday.freethechildren.com.

Our LIVE We Day coverage!