On February 5, we hosted our inaugural Thrive Day in partnership with HUB—and the energy in the room was electric! We brought together 150 kids from Vancouver for a day brimming with creativity, community, and hands-on exploration. Supported by 12 extraordinary volunteers from HUB International, we transformed a single day into an experience that participants won’t soon forget.
Hands-On Activations
Collaging with Sarah Thompson: Encourages creative problem-solving as participants combine different elements and ideas into one cohesive piece. This activity mirrors the leadership skill of synthesizing diverse perspectives to shape a shared vision.
Oil Pastel Animal Drawing with Kat McPhee: Helps refine attention to detail and perseverance. Leaders who practice close observation and follow through on challenging tasks develop the resilience to guide a team through complex projects.
Magic & Juggling with Sean Whittaker: Fosters adaptability and confidence under pressure. Staying poised while juggling or performing illusions mirrors a leader’s ability to think on their feet in dynamic environments.
Weaving with Nicole Caspillo: Highlights patience and collaboration. Weaving demands focus on each thread’s role in creating a unified whole, just as strong leaders nurture each team member’s contribution toward a common goal.
Improv with Samantha Noeth Lewis: Reinforces communication and teamwork. Quick-thinking exercises strengthen leaders’ capacity to listen actively, respond with empathy, and adapt to new ideas—crucial skills for guiding diverse groups.
The Volunteers Who Made It Happen
Our incredible volunteers from HUB were the linchpin of the day’s success! They greeted participants with excitement, supported workshop leaders, and helped shy students step out of their comfort zones. Their unwavering energy and encouragement turned a simple day into a transformative experience, showing the incredible impact caring adults can have on a child’s sense of belonging and self-belief.
Why It Matters
Thrive Day shone a spotlight on the incredible potential that emerges when young people connect with local artists, mentors, and volunteers from community-minded companies. By bringing these groups together to form a supportive network of caring adults, we spark creativity, foster meaningful relationships, and help youth build the confidence they need to thrive long after the day’s activities end.
For Thrive, delivering a program of this scale helps us deepen our relationships with teachers and administrators in our partner schools—ultimately allowing us to reach the children who need our programs most.Thrive Days have a lasting influence on our capacity to serve.
What’s Next?
We’re already making plans to bring Thrive Day to more communities. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to HUB and everyone who contributed to the success of this pilot event. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see how Thrive Day evolves to inspire even more young minds!
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