TakingITGlobal

CONNECTION WITH OTHERS NEW LEARNING & PERSPECTIVES CREATION OF SOMETHING BIGGER ellows were asked, "How did your project impact you?" Fellows described impactful stories reflecting on how the planning and Fellows recounted how their projects allowed them to create more positive connections with their community. Some of these connections included: collaborating with new people, making new friends and creating new community partnerships. "I THINK OUR PROJECT MOST IMPACTED ME THROUGH ALLOWING THE TIME TO TAKE A STEP BACK FROM MY DAILY LIFE AND VOLUNTEER MY TIME TO A PROJECT THAT IS IMPACTFUL TO THE COMMUNITY. SOMETIMES I FEEL DISCONNECTED FROM MY COMMUNITY, SO CONNECTING BACK TO MY COMMUNITY THROUGH THIS PROJECT HAS IMPACTED ME GREATLY." Fellows reflected on how their projects led to new learning and new perspective taking. Through their projects, they felt they gained a better understanding of their communities' needs and, as such, now feel better equipped to make meaningful change in their communities. "THE PROJECT SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED ME BY PROVIDING A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH SENIORS, A DEMOGRAPHIC WITH WHOM I HAD NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE. THIS EXPERIENCE ALLOWED ME TO BROADEN MY SKILL SET AND DEVELOP PROFICIENCY IN INTERACTING WITH A DIFFERENT GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS. NOT ONLY DID I ACQUIRE NEW SKILLS, BUT THE PROJECT ALSO PROVIDED A PLATFORM FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND INCREASED MY UNDERSTANDING OF DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES." "IT WAS FANTASTIC FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM TO COME TOGETHER AND CREATE WORKSHOPS THAT HAD SUCH A BIG IMPACT. SOMETHING THAT WAS ESPECIALLY NEAT WAS THAT THE REACH OF THE PROGRAM WAS COUNTRY- WIDE. WE HAVE YOUTH SIGNED UP IN EVERY PROVINCE!" Fellows expressed that their projects were a source of pride in their lives because they had created something that had an impact bigger than themselves. They commented on the scale of their projects, the effect of their growing teams' efforts and the ongoing systemic impact their project would have on others. of purpose and fulfilment, increased self-belief, skill development, connection with others, new learning and perspectives, and pride in the creation of something bigger than themselves. F implementation of their projects impacted their lives. Through a thematic analysis of their responses, six major themes of impact emerged: a newfound sense 21 SPROUT IDEAS FELLOWSHIP IMPACT REPORT

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