A few months back I had the amazing opportunity to part take in the IMPACT! Sustainability Champions Training PLUS in Ottawa. The goal of this training is for participants to deepen their sustainability understanding, enhance their confidence as young leaders, and become empowered with the tools and support to develop and launch successful sustainability projects and social enterprises in their region. This program did just that! Since my experience with IMPACT!, I have been able to build relationships and connect with many of the participants. Many are now close friends of mine and it is so refreshing to see everyone pursue their dreams.

Impact has influenced the following:

• ONE (Opportunity Network Employment) –Sajani (a fellow impact champion) and I have teamed up together to create a workshop promoting volunteerism
• Youth Positivity Project – I have connected Kyle who is a Hub Ottawa member working on a phenomenal non-profit organization. He has requested for me to be on his new board of directors.
• Motivational Speaking – I have had the opportunity to speak at a few local events since I affirmed my dream and spoke it into existence!
• Youth Summit Action Committee – Through my mentor Fiona, I have met some amazing people who I now sit on a committee with. I am on a youth council directly working with the Mayor Jim Watson to create positive change in Ottawa.
• Beautifully Me – On Feb.15th, 2014 I hosted my very FIRST event that I put together. Over 50 young women gathered together to talk about self-love, healthy relationships and self –care! What I thought would be a one day conference is now potentially a yearly event!

I am currently an aspiring motivational speaker. I have a great positive attitude and an optimistic perspective on life. My passion is to motivate youth to pursue their dreams despite their circumstance. I choose to lead by example and I have used my leadership skills to create positive change in my community. I used to talk myself out of this dream! I used to ask myself, “What have you personally accomplished to motivate others?” “Why would anyone listen to you?” and “How are you different from other motivational speakers?” The IMPACT training gave me the boost of confidence I needed to further pursue this career path. I have met inspiring people who continue to motivate me and reassure me that this is indeed the right path for me. They have helped erase all my negative thoughts and have made me realize that I am in fact living my dream; I just have to own it! 

One of the perks of being a part of this program was becoming a member of Hub Ottawa. The hub has now made me a part of a larger network that I am so thankful to have. I have learned so much from simply being in this space. I have noticed the stride in my walk, the passion in my voice and I now truly believe in my potential! A quote that has stuck to me from this IMPACT program is “CONTRACT THE SPACE!” I often have too many ideas and it is hard to prioritize and or focus, which then results to doing nothing at all! I have noticed I repeat this saying over and over again and it really helps me re-gain my focus and confidence!

I want to give a big THANK YOU to Fiona Wright and Josh Snider for hosting an incredible training! Thank you for constantly checking up on me and providing guidance. You have honestly been a great influence in my life! I am excited to see what past and future IMPACT CHAMPIONS have to offer!

Written by Nora Elmi

Please visit IMPACT! Sustainability Champions Training program to learn more about the IMPACT! program.