Canada’s Walk of Fame Seeks The Next “Community Hero” Under the age of 30
Press Release
(Toronto, ON) September 19, 2024 – Canada’s Walk of Fame announces its national call for submissions for the 2024 Community Hero Program, presented by founding partner Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and new partner Seeing Red Media. Since 2018, the Community Hero Program recognizes a young Canadian under the age of 30 who is making an impactful change in their community. Canadians are being asked to nominate a deserving candidate at CommunityHero.ca. Submissions will be accepted beginning today through to Thursday, October 24th at 10:00 p.m. EDT.
The Grand Prize Winner receives:
- A $10,000 donation to a Canadian registered charity or cause of their choice
- A dedicated profile page on the Community Hero website
- An invaluable mentorship opportunity with a fellow Canadian hero to be announced
- Recognition at the 2025 Canada’s Walk of Fame’s Awards Show and Gala Celebration and more.
“Canada’s Walk of Fame’s Community Hero program continues to be an inspiration, highlighting the incredible impact young Canadians have had on critical issues that face our country today,” said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame.” We provide the opportunity for lesser-known Heroes to share the same stage with our Inductees and Honourees. Our Heroes have shown that youth advocacy can influence meaningful change, empowering communities and fostering a future where equity and sustainability are at the forefront.”
“As an organization that strives to build and improve our community, we are honoured to work with Canada’s Walk of Fame to identify a deserving young Canadian that shares these values and dedication to community impact” said Shannon Hosford, Chief Marketing Officer, MLSE. “We look forward to participating in the selection process and drawing inspiration from the meaningful work of these young changemakers.”
“Seeing Red places a high value on community. We are honoured to partner with Canada’s Walk of Fame to bring our communities and heroes together. The Community Hero program reflects our core values and guides our youth to feel inspired and seek opportunities that will drive positive change,” said Bryan Porter, Founder & Shakohen:te’s, Seeing Red Media Inc.
From the environment to mental health, Indigenous rights and gender equality — past community heroes have touched the hearts and minds of Canadians from coast to coast to coast, turning their experiences into an opportunity to help others and make a difference at home and around the world.
Autumn Peltier of Wiikwemkoong First Nation, ON: At just 19 years old, International Indigenous Rights & Water activist Autumn Peltier regularly addresses the UN and has confronted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She was a runner-up for the International Children’s Peace Prize and has received the Sovereign Medal of Exceptional Volunteerism from the Governor General of Canada and an Honorary Doctorate from Royal Roads University. Autumn has also been recognized on Maclean’s Top 50 Canadian Power List and Elle’s 100 Women Change Makers.
“Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Community Hero program is such a great initiative and to be recognized by such a vibrant platform is not just important to myself but also the indigenous youth watching. The importance of collaboration is a key to growth and honours such as the Community Hero with the efforts of Canada’s Walk of Fame is a great example of this. I am very grateful and proud to be a part of the Canada’s Walk of Fame family.” – Autumn Peltier, 2023 Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero.
Rabiah Dhaliwal of Surrey, B.C.: Founder and Director of the Voices for Hope Foundation, advocates for mental health equity, suicide prevention, and disability justice.
“Being named Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero has fueled my efforts to create meaningful change. Most importantly, I am thankful for the recognition of a girl who, in her youth, struggled with her identity and mental health, and often didn’t see faces like hers in positions of power and leadership. This acknowledgment means the world to me, as it reflects not just my work, but the journey that brought me here.”
– Rabiah Dhaliwal, 2021 Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero.
Aditi Sivakumar of Ottawa, ON: After witnessing first-hand the devastating impacts that gender-based violence can have, Aditi made it her mission to provide educational information and aid to women and girls facing violence in Canada and beyond through the My Empowerment Platform.
“Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero Program has truly changed my life and provided me with a new sense of confidence and empowerment to continue my advocacy work. Through this program, I have honed my leadership skills, creativity and public speaking abilities, and elevated my mission and goals. I would not be the same person or advocate I am today without this program.”
– Aditi Sivakumar, 2020 Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero.
Abhay Singh Sachal of Surrey, B.C.: Abhay Singh Sachal’s research and work resides at the intersection of climate change, ecoanxiety, mental health, and spirituality. He is the founder of Break The Divide, a non-profit organization based on principles of environmentalism, sustainability, and reconciliation that fosters empathy and understanding to inspire local action projects in communities.
“Being named a Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero was a surreal experience, especially sharing the stage with my brother Sukhmeet and friend Andrea, who helped bring Break The Divide to life. The program introduced me to incredible Canadian leaders and has significantly contributed to my growth, both personally and through Break The Divide. I’m now excited to leverage these connections to drive greater impact across Canada. The Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero Program is a powerful reminder that meaningful change starts with community and connections.”
– Abhay Singh Sachal, 2019 Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero.
Stella Bowles of Bridgewater, NS: Stella Bowles, an environmentalist and advocate for youth activism, was named the inaugural Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero in 2018. Her groundbreaking river testing for fecal contamination brought national attention and led to a $15.7 million government initiative to clean up the LaHave River in Nova Scotia, which has now been successfully completed.
“The Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero honour was a privilege to receive. It really helped get my story out and added to the pressure for governments to follow through with the planned project. The LaHave River is now completely free of illegal straight pipes. I am so proud of my community and my country.”
– Stella Bowles, 2018 Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero.
Visit www.CommunityHero.ca for full bios of Community Heros to-date, details on prizing, eligibility and submission requirements. Only one Grand Prize winner will be chosen by a selection committee and will be announced in late fall.
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About Canada’s Walk of Fame
Canada’s Walk of Fame is an award-winning national not-for-profit charitable organization that inspires Canadians by proudly shining a light on the journeys of Canada’s most extraordinary achievers. Canada’s Walk of Fame recognizes the significant impact of Canadian accomplishments and provides the foremost national platform to celebrate achievement in the fields of Arts & Entertainment, Sports & Athletics, Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy, Humanitarianism, and Science, Technology & Innovation. Current honours and programs include the Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour, the RBC Emerging Musician Program, NBCUniversal and Seeing Red Media Future Storytellers program, the Community Hero and National Hero Programs, the Hometown Stars initiative, including charitable donations to our Inductees’ causes, and the nationally televised broadcast designated by the CRTC as a program of national interest. Canada’s Walk of Fame has over 230 inductions to date, with stars having a permanent place of tribute on the streets of Toronto’s Entertainment District. For a complete list of Inductees and Honourees along with more information on Canada’s Walk of Fame, visit: www.canadaswalkoffame.com
Canada’s Walk of Fame was established in 1998 by founders Bill Ballard, Dusty Cohl and Peter Soumalias, with Dianne Schwalm and in partnership with Gary Slaight.
Canada’s Walk of Fame is a registered charity. Charitable Registration Number 889896924RR0001.
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