TakingITGlobal

21 # R I S I N G Y O U T H C O M M U N I T Y I M P A C T V O L . 2 S top Asian Hate. This phrase has become a rallying cry during the COVID-19 pandemic as hate crimes, physical attacks, and racism against the Asian community, especially women and seniors, has increased substantially. As a response to the rise in anti-Asian hate across North America, Ravi Nichols and a team of volunteers from the BOLT Safety Society conceived of Safe Buddies, a program where volunteers escort seniors, non-binary people, and women home. The program consists of two types of Safe Buddies: Phone Safe Buddies and Walking Safe Buddies. Phone Safe Buddies are available all across Canada, where they speak to clients walking home to give them a sense of comfort and a direct line to emergency services, if needed. Walking Safe Buddies personally and physically escort clients in person to their destination of choice and are available across the Greater Vancouver Area, specifically in Vancouver, Richmond, and Surrey. Addressing a very critical need, Safe Buddies has received wide support in the Vancouver area and have even been adopted into local events. The Drishti Gala Awards, for instance, entrusted Safe Buddies to ensure that their over 700 guests arrived safely to their homes after their event. Reflecting on his experience with developing this program with the support of #RisingYouth, Ravi shared, "If you are passionate about the project, then your passion will shine through, and the #RisingYouth team will see that. #RisingYouth grants foster change at any level, so don't be afraid to be creative with your ideas!" Fostering A Sense of Safety and Community Through the Safe Buddies Program Ravi Nichols ...don't be afraid to be creative with your ideas! A special thank you to Youth Leadership Society of British Columbia (YLSBC) for sharing the #RisingYouth grant opportunity with Ravi to make this project possible. A Podcast episode from the Quiet Warrior Show, featuring Ravi and talking about the Bolt Safety project!

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