Urban Minds

In 2024, I took on Program Lead duties with Toronto-based non-profit & consulting firm Urban Minds, leading the launch of the 2024-2025 1UP Fellowship program. ​The 1UP Fellowship program empowers high school students to explore the fields of city-building by leading a 1UP school chapter through the Learners Stream (educational) or Design-Builders (action-based) stream.

 

I joined the 1UP Fellowship Program during a critical time of growth as it expands beyond the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) & into the Hamilton & Kitchener-Waterloo Regions. In my day-to-day, I onboarded over 30 new (& returning) program applicants to the 1UP Fellowship program, helping them identify their preferred program stream. I brought on new School Chapters for the Learner's Stream trial period, & assigned Mentors to School Chapters pursuing the Design-builders Stream based on student needs, geographic location, & experience. My work also included liaising with the Creative Team & Local Event Committees for team-building & planning.

 

While my primary goal in this role was to ensure program coordinators, new program applicants, & professional mentors were prepared for the year-long educational program, ​I also played a significant advisory role, using my embedded understanding of the program to identify growing pains & possible solutions. Within my two months of support, I communicated the importance of setting good foundations with work plans, scaling back to fit team/budget/scope alignment, & enacting human resources with a child rights perspective to program founders and team members.​

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Deliverables:

• Project Management & Program Support (School Chapters Support, Volunteer/Committee Coordination)

• Event Management (Planning & Outreach for the 1UP Race Across Toronto Scavenger Hunt & Hamilton Youth Summit)

• Mentorship Assignment (Assignment, Orientation, Vulnerable Sector Screening)

• Advisory (Risk Management)