McMaster Chapter Film Screening

Posted in: Blog, Communications, Miscellaneous by m.malik on January 4, 2012 | No Comments

Come out to the Empowerment Squared McMaster Chapter Film Screening on January 16th !!

We will be watching Darfur Now and hosting a panel discussion to reflect on the recent conflict in Darfur, particularly methods of activism throughout the “Save Darfur” campaign.

Tickets are $5 for Mac students and $10 for non-mac students.

Hope to see you all there !!

http://www.facebook.com/events/220177498064832/?ref=notif&notif_t=event_invite

Meet our Project Development Intern, Caroline Dunton

Posted in: Blog, Communications, Miscellaneous, News & Updates by c.dunton on July 26, 2011 | No Comments

My name is Caroline Dunton and I am the Project Development Intern for the summer at Empowerment Squared. I am going into my third year of Knowledge Integration at the University of Waterloo. Knowledge Integration is a new and unique interdisciplinary arts and science program offered by UW that engages students in many disciplines and builds problem solving and collaboration skills. I’m also completing a second major in Political Science.

I am a graduate of Westdale Secondary School in Hamilton and grew up in this city before moving to Waterloo for school. I’m back for the summer and I am having a great time working in the community and the city that I love. I am responsible for most of the day-to-day administration duties and behind the scenes work in the office and for assisting with development of DRIVEN: Beyond Boundaries. This means that I tend to spend a lot of time in the office but I also am lucky enough to spend my afternoons hanging out with youth and being part of a team running programming at the former Globe Youth Centre. I love the mix that this brings me every week.

Outside of school and Empowerment Squared, I work as a lifeguard and swimming instructor, play soccer, participate in Model United Nations, volunteer at a fair trade store, read a lot of books and newspapers and listen to a lot of music. If you have questions about Empowerment Squared or would like to get in touch with me, you can reach me at c.dunton@empowermentsquared.org.

Meet Our Director of Research and Development, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji.

Posted in: Blog, Communications, Miscellaneous, News & Updates by c.dunton on | No Comments

My name is pretty much a tongue twister so most people just call me “E”. However, if you are one of those curious cats who want to know everything, my full name is Iyinoluwa Aboyeji. I am going to be building on the successes of pioneers like Michael Pett as Director of Research and Development. A lot of what my new job description means is that I will not be as visible as some of my other colleagues however, I will be planning and executing logistics with every major project we do at Empowerment Squared.

Perhaps I should tell you a bit about myself.

I am a 19 year old, male, international student from Nigeria (sorry, Canada!) and I study Legal Studies and Economics at the University of Waterloo. I joined Empowerment Squared from Imprint Publications (one of Canada’s largest student publications companies) where I served as President.  I also write columns and articles for a lot of publications and consult for a number of non-for profits on youth engagement and long term strategy.

I lived in Hamilton when I first came to Canada in January of 2008 for my last year of high school at Columbia International College. I have been drawn to this city ever since I moved here. Even when I had to leave for University in Waterloo, I often make trips back to see my friends from around here.

As you can already tell, I am totally a nerd. I usually sit at the computer for long hours (while I work) reading and sharing amazing articles from all over the web and sharing my thoughts on important issues of the day through social media. Nonetheless, I do manage to squeeze in a bit of a social life and I manage to have a good time when there are no deadlines a-calling (which is very rarely). I listen to a lot of weird classical music (on repeat!) and some other hippie genres. I especially love music from Beirut. You should check them out. They totally rock!

A few of the many things I am passionate about are diversity, education, entrepreneurship, Africa and international development.

This year, at Empowerment Squared, I will be focusing on building a movement of empowered young people across Southern Ontario through our Driven: Beyond Boundaries program. I am also very excited about organizing our project to make an accurate documentary about our United FC’s experiences last summer with some talented filmmakers just in time for the Toronto International Film Festival, so watch out for that.

If you have any amazing suggestions, questions or comments (and I know you do!), you can reach me at i.aboyeji@empowermentsquared.com

Check out our Summer 2011 Newsletter!

Posted in: Blog, Communications, News & Updates by c.dunton on | 1 Comment

If you aren’t a subscriber to our mailing list, please see our Summer 2011 Newsletter here for updates on Empowerment Squared: http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b2a871011bd69a84834d4f461&id=89bd9ebc29 . You can subscribe here on our website. Don’t forget to also follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

Meet Our New Communications Director: Hali Farah

Posted in: Blog, Communications, In the News, News & Updates by Leo Johnson on February 6, 2011 | No Comments

Hamilton, ON—Yes, we have been quiet lately, after such a busy and exciting summer for Empowerment Squared. There have been lots of changes, (great changes) on our side. My name is Hali Farah, I am the new Communications Director at Empowerment Squared, and I am super excited to be part of the team. Being the Communications Director means you will be hearing A LOT from me! A LOT!

If I had to describe myself in three words it would be; dynamic, approachable, and eager  to learn. I graduated from McMaster University way back in 07 with a BSc. majoring in psychology. I have lived and been involved in the Hamilton Community for some time now. At McMaster, I was heavily involved with the McMaster African Students Association; I was part of the MASA exec for three of my four years.

I am from Kenya, but of Somali origin, so basically a Kenyan-Somali. I went back to Kenya last summer after 20yrs and it was such an amazing experience.  I cannot even begin to explain the sentiment of feeling foreign in your country of origin; it’s been so long since I’ve been back to Africa. Apart from the fact that I looked local and could easily blend in, I was as awkward and at awe as a typical tourist. I have never felt so Canadian, and had to admit to myself that YES, a lot has changed.

My trip to Kenya made me reflect, and want to give back. We are fortunate to have so many opportunities that we easily take for granted because they come in such abundance.  We are so fortunate that the things we’ve come to expect and even demand are a distant dream for many others. I am very excited about joining the Empowerment Squared team to have the opportunity to help empower others in our communities so that they can help themselves and others.

Empowerment Squared is constantly looking for enthusiastic interns who want to make a difference and join our team. For more information, please visit our Job Opportunitiessection for future employment and volunteer opportunities.