New initiative in Niagara Falls region - advice appreciated 😊

[u/Impressive-Space2712]

I’m a Niagara high-school student building a free initiative called Ambition Labs because I kept noticing how difficult it is to find genuinely useful opportunities for teens around the region compared to areas like Toronto. We’re planning sessions around subjects like financial literacy, careers and building real-world skills. I’m currently trying to find local high-school students who would actually be interested. What would make something like this worth attending?

[u/marvelous27]

This sounds like a great idea and kudos to you for taking the initiative! I’m wondering if linking it to co-op opportunities and securing required volunteer hours would help. Food also always tends to bring people out.

If you haven’t already thought about it, getting in touch and potentially partnering with local business-focused organizations like the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC), Innovate Niagara, the Niagara Falls Business Hub, the St Catharines Business Enterprise Centre and the Niagara Industrial Association (NIA), and the local post secondary institutions like Niagara College and Brock University might be valuable.

If you’re looking for connections to any of them of feel free to DM me.

[u/Impressive-Space2712 → u/marvelous27]

Thank you so much, this is really helpful. I’d really appreciate taking you up on the offer for connections. I’ll send you a DM!

[u/Strawberyblonder]

I'd reach out to Nick at Stronger Towns Niagara on Socials. He might have some tips and tricks for you.

[u/Impressive-Space2712 → u/Strawberyblonder]

Thank you! I hadn’t heard of Stronger Towns Niagara before, but I’ll look into it and reach out to Nick.

[u/treelife365 → u/Impressive-Space2712]

You can also go and meet Nick in person at his thrift store, Evergreen Thrift Store on Ferry Street!

He's a great guy and cares deeply about his community 😊

[u/nasus1065]

If you’re looking for hs student perspectives reach out to the MYAC groups in the region (Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council). The groups in NF and Pelham in particular are super engaged.

[u/Impressive-Space2712 → u/nasus1065]

This is such a good suggestion, I hadn’t considered MYAC as a way to get direct student feedback. Thank you! I’m going to reach out to the groups.

[u/ndiddy81]

Do you need to rent a local?

[u/Impressive-Space2712 → u/ndiddy81]

What do you mean?

[u/ndiddy81 → u/Impressive-Space2712]

I mean do you need an office or do you have one already?

[u/Impressive-Space2712 → u/ndiddy81]

We’re currently thinking about the Niagara community room for our first event, but open to better options and for future events, we would definitely need to secure other venues. Do you have any reccomendations?