GenYYC COMBINING THE POWER OF THE FOR-PROFIT AND NON-PROFIT SECTORS TO FUEL OUR ECONOMY AND INSPIRE A BETTER WORLD ALL WHILE NOURISHING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS GenYYC is a leadership development program designed through a collaborative partnership between the Calgary Chamber and the Calgary Foundation. The inaugural year of this innovative program was 2018. GenYYC brings together a diverse group of future business leaders across four sectors – corporate, small business, non-profit and government – to tackle some of the big issues facing Calgary. Throughout 2018 participants of GenYYC learned about various social and cultural constructs in our community. One of GenYYC’s first learning experiences involved the group travelling east to the Siksika First Nation to visit Blackfoot Crossing – the site where Treaty 7 was signed. Participants received a guided tour through the museum and met with local elders. Following the tour, Tim Fox, director of indigenous relations at the Calgary Foundation and a member of the Blackfoot confederacy and Kainai Reserve, took the group through a workshop on the effects of inter-generational trauma from residential schools. Over the summer, GenYYC volunteered with Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids to better understand food security issues facing Calgarians. Brown Bagging is a non-profit that delivers over 4,400 lunches to Calgary schoolkids who might go without otherwise. The GenYYC group spent an afternoon with Tanya Koshowski, executive director of Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids, participating in her person-centred leadership workshop focusing on innovative and empathetic leadership philosophy. Rounding out the year, GenYYC participants visited the Centre for Newcomers enjoying a culturally focused meal prepared by the centre’s social enterprise, EthniCity Catering. Working at EthniCity Catering is often the first job many clients at the centre hold, giving them valuable work experience and an understanding of local workplace culture and expectations to help pave the road to success. The group learnt about challenges newcomers face when arriving in Canada, like language barriers, employment credentials and understanding a new culture. At the end of 2018, participants were given the opportunity to pitch a legacy project to a Dragons’ Den-style panel for
GenYYC participants volunteering with Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids, making lunches for over 4,400 school kids.
funding to kick their project into gear. Legacy projects engage participants to make a lasting impact in the community with funding from the Calgary Foundation. Two pitches were heard: Inside Out Theatre and Night Market North. Inside Out Theatre offers community-based drama programs to Calgarians with disabilities. Having recently moved into a new space at Eau Claire Market, Inside Out Theatre was looking for funding to outfit the space with stages, audiovisual equipment, theatre seating and props. Night Market North has operated a successful night market in north-central Calgary for the past two years. The market has been instrumental as the community establishes roots and a sense of identity. Inside Out Theatre asked for $25,000 to outfit their new space. Night Market North was looking for $18,000 to build their legacy for a successful night market in north Calgary. After two successful pitches and much deliberation, the judges deemed both pitches worthy of funding and were excited to distribute $43,000. GenYYC is now in the second year with 68 participants. The program is building a solid foundation, connecting the for-profit and non-profit sectors while shining a light on Calgary’s social and cultural challenges. Applications for the 2020 cohort of GenYYC open in April. To learn more about GenYYC, go to calgarychamber.com/ genyyc.