A Note from the
UforChange Family
At UforChange, we offer a safe and stimulating environment where young people can learn, grow, and realize their full potential. Our programs transform youth by teaching them professionally applicable skills, developing their confidence and providing them with industry opportunities and mentorship. UforChange is a creative catalyst for young people to express their talent and grow as entrepreneurs. We would like to thank our foundation, corporate and individual donors for their continued support. Their contribution has allowed us to offer these vital services to youth who may be able to access these resources outside of UforChange. Thank you for investing in a creative environment in which we cultivate responsible leaders!
*Please Note: All contributions are managed by Canada Donate, where you will receive a Canadian tax Receipt.
Our Donors
At UforChange we offer 2-8 month programs in Fashion Design, Photography, DJ, Fashion Illustration, Graphic Design and Web Development. The crafting and execution of our Core Arts Programs requires a combination of skills and technical components, including a selection of well-connected and knowledgeable industry mentors, a creative space where our young people feel comfortable in addition to desktops, DSLR cameras, Sewing machines, DJ controllers and Adobe Software in order to execute our courses. Currently, we are seeking funding for our Core Arts Programs in addition to introducing a new Fashion Illustration program.
Friends of UforChange ($25-$999)
Ali and Friends
Audrey Ramsay
Chalo Hancock
Fred & Gina Gentili
Richard J.
Creative Culture Sponsors ($1,000+)
Audrey S. Hellyer Charitable Foundation
The Bentway
Bill Morneau and Nancy McCain
Black Belt Productions Inc.
City MOGULS
The Dalglish Family Foundation
The Lawson Foundation
The Mantella Corporation
Ontario Arts Council
How do I donate to UforChange?
If you would like to help UforChange fuel the next generation of creatives, please make a donation to our organization via Canada Helps by clicking here.
What population does UforChange serve?
UforChange serves youth, ages 16-29, from the Greater Toronto Area. The vast majority of the young people we serve are from visible minority groups as well as racialized, underserved, and newcomer communities. Unfortunately, visible minorities face multiple challenges such as poverty, exposure to violence and crime, high risk of substance abuse, family breakdown, social isolation, culture shock and language barriers. These issues are coupled with limited economic and educational opportunities, intercultural tensions, limited social support and racism/discrimination.UforChange works to avoid these barriers from stopping young people achieve their goals and build a career. Since our opening in 2009, we have served 3231 youth, provided 853 internships, graduated 939 students, connected to 236 sector professionals and 665 volunteers involved in the Toronto Art Community.
How do we measure our success?
We measure our success based on the number of youth we serve a year, in comparison to our internal targets, and the impact our programs have on them. According to our third party evaluators, The Veritas Foundation, UforChange is extremely successful at providing youth with professionally applicable skills and in fostering mentor-mentee relations as well as fostering personal and professional growth through both our Core Arts Programs and workshops. According to Charity Intelligence, Uforchange Received an (A) Grade for Donor Accountability and its charity report for the website.
Does UforChange provide their participants with Internships and Employment?
Although UforChange does not have an employment, internship or co-op program, as our organization seeks to provide young people with opportunities we offer volunteer, internship and employment opportunities to our program participants based on what is available through our community and industry networks. Currently UforChange has provided 853 internships since it has begun in 2009.
Why do we exist?
The UforChange Movement was born out of a pilot project within the Wellesley Institute. It’s our mission to mentor youth in pursuing their artistic and aspirational passions in an inclusive environment. We operate in the heart of downtown Toronto and run creative programs for youth 16-29. Our goal is to provide arts programs to youth from disenfranchised communities that don’t have an already existing connection or opportunity to explore the arts as a career choice. With your help, youth explore the arts in an environment that enhances creativity and helps the youth to create bonds with their fellow class members and connect to sector professionals through their mentors.
Impact
We quantify our impact by calculating the numbers of young people served annually, in the categories below, and comparing these numbers to our annual targets:
Numbers are combined statistics of Cycle 17 and September 2022.
Number of youth receiving ongoing support and services 264
Number of youth graduated from Core Arts program 60
Number of volunteer hours 197
Number of paid employment opportunities 25