ROI announces recruitment for the 2023 Rural Change Makers Program

GUELPH, ON, – The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) is pleased to announce the opening of recruitment for the 2023 Rural Change Makers (RCM) program with the support of regional partners: Timmins Youth Wellness Hub (YWH-Timmins), and Opiikapawiin Services LP (OSLP). The program welcomes engaged young leaders in rural and northern Ontario eager to mobilize action around issues important to their communities. 

“Timmins Youth Wellness Hub is excited to encourage youth from our community, aged 18-25 years old to apply to the Rural Change Maker Program. It is a great opportunity to meet other like-minded young people interested in honing their leadership abilities and making a difference in their community,” said Anne Vincent, Executive Director of the Timmins Youth Wellness Hub. 

“It will be exciting to see our youth from Wataynikaneyap partner communities advance their skills, knowledge and gifts through leadership roles and community projects. The path they choose on their shared leadership journey will help build positive outcomes for the future,” said Laura Calmwind, Training Program Manager of Opiikapawiin Services LP (OSLP). 

Applications for the 2023 RCM program open June 5th, 2023, with the selection process commencing in July 2023 when up to 36 motivated young adults will be selected to join the experience. These leaders will participate in a series of developmental training sessions and come together for experiential gatherings, complete self-assessments, form planning committees for local activities, a Youth Summit, and lead community initiatives based on a local priority.   

“We are excited to welcome up to 36 emerging rural leaders into the program and discover the many unique and innovative approaches they will surely bring to community economic development and resiliency in rural communities,” says Ellen Sinclair, Executive Director, Rural Ontario Institute.  

“Participants of ROI’s youth leadership programs do incredible things both in their communities and lives with many past participants taking on leadership roles in local or provincial government, businesses and local community organizations,” says Melanie Bidiuk, ROI Communications Manager and RCM Program Coordinator. “Rural Change Makers are the leaders of tomorrow and this initiative prepares them for those future challenges.” 

For more information on the RCM program and how to apply visit https://www.ruralontarioinstitute.ca/changemakers. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2023. 

Support for the 2023 Rural Change Makers program has been generously provided in part by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership.