[YCI’s Innovate MY Future program] provided an open and fun way for me to connect with new people and make new friends, all while addressing the climate crisis that I am very passionate about.

YCI gave us unlimited resources since they truly wanted to see us succeed [in the Innovate MY Future program]. Now I have great community connections, references and experiences that can be leveraged in the workforce or when applying for jobs.

[YCI’s Innovate MY Future program] completely changed my perspective from volunteering for fulfilling the hours required for graduation to volunteering to have a positive impact in my community. YCI proved that although I’m in high school, I can make a difference.

[YCI’s Innovate MY Future program] is a great opportunity for youth to explore the climate issues they care about and to meet other like-minded youth.

[Through YCI’s Innovate MY Future program], I’ve learned more about local non-profit organizations and have created great connections within my community. This opportunity has allowed me to learn more about climate issues at a local level. I hope to continue my work with our community partner and seek other local opportunities to volunteer.

I don’t think any other program equips its participants with the tools, experiences, skills and growth like Innovate MY Future and I would recommend it to anyone.

[Through YCI’s Innovate MY Future program], I learned that by moving past our comfort zones and by building trust with our partners and team members, we can create a shared vision to put into action and work towards the betterment of our communities.

Participating in community volunteer work felt achievable through [YCI’s Innovate MY Future program]. It showed me that even with a busy schedule, I can dedicate time to volunteer for organizations and movements that matter.

Gaining hands-on experience developing a project to help educate others [through YCI’s Innovate MY Future program] has really changed my perspective and inspired me to do more.

The Innovate MY Future program felt like a tight-knit community and it brought me so much joy to see so many youth advocating for sustainability and collaborating to make a positive change.