Ripple of Change Magazine

14/06/2024

Many South Asian female students in Canada face tough challenges—high living costs, job struggles, and cultural adjustments. But there’s a darker issue often left unspoken: sexual abuse and harassment by men within their own communities.

On June 19, Kahani Pictures will host a public screening of their documentary, ਸੁਣੋ (Listen): The Struggles of Female South Asian Students.

We chatted with Award-Winning Filmmaker and founder of Kahani Pictures, Inder Nirwan, to learn more about ਸੁਣੋ (Listen) and bring light to the harsh realities many students are facing.

Go behind the scenes:

ਸੁਣੋ (Listen): The Struggles of Female South Asian students by Jenn Wint Many South Asian female students in Canada face tough challenges—high living costs, job struggles, and cultural adjustments. There’s […]

28/05/2024

By breaking taboos, promoting access to menstrual products, empowering women and girls, and considering environmental sustainability, we are addressing the ongoing challenges and opportunities in menstrual health and hygiene. Menstruation should not be a barrier to health, education, and gender equality.

Today is Menstrual Health Day. Read our recent article and let's continue the conversation and advocate for change, to ensure that every individual can manage their menstrual health with dignity and respect. https://rippleofchangemag.com/a-bloody-good-conversation-we-all-should-be-having/

25/05/2024

Dementia and other cognitive changes will often slow the brain’s processing speeds. Once a person’s brain can no longer follow the plot, dialogue, and pace of a regular TV show or movie, it tends to either panic or power down.

Zinniatv designs artistic experiences that improve the quality of life for people living with mid-to late-stage memory loss or dementia by bolstering a sense of identity and fostering connection with loved ones and care partners at home and in long-term care settings.

Hear how this initiative got started in the latest article by Berenice Freedome

https://rippleofchangemag.com/dementia-friendly-tv/

18/05/2024

With Menstrual Health Day, also known as Menstrual Hygiene Day - Global coming up May 28, we chatted with Sara Jónsdóttir, founder of Revol Cares and Tricia Stevens, from Kahani Pictures to talk about a . These conversations break the stigma around periods, heavy flows, period products, hygiene and menstruation. Talking openly about periods and women’s reproductive health empowers girls and women everywhere getting closer to a world where everyone has access to quality menstrual products, period education and period-friendly facilities. Menstruation is a normal and healthy part of life for most women and girls, let’s treat it that way.

By Jenn Wint Every day, over 300 million people around the world have their periods. People on the bus, the barista who made your coffee this morning, your boss - […]

22/04/2024

There is an urgent need to protect our planet and take action to address unavoidable environmental challenges. From climate change to biodiversity loss, the health of our planet is in jeopardy.

Earth Day is the largest civic event on Earth, activating billions of people around the world to protect our planet and fight for a brighter future. Follow EarthDay.org for information and resources.

Every day is .

18/04/2024

“The whole sustainability movement is really a collaboration between people and stuff. True sustainability looks at how we value things and if we trade them back and forth or dispose of them. Buying clothing and other non-consumables should be a slow process.” - Sarah Perkonig

As we approach Earth Week we asked Sarah Perkonig, of Fashion Takes Action and Christina Florencio, owner of REVIVAL, Is Good Style Sustainable?

https://rippleofchangemag.com/is-good-style-sustainable/

Christina Florencio’s passion for vintage and thrifting began decades ago in her early 20s when she found an authentic gold Chanel bag for just $6.99 in a thrift store bin. “Recognizing the timeless style of that Chanel bag and then seeing the value increase over the years demonstrated the inves...

13/04/2024

When a conversation with a stranger leads to a movie screening you know the mission of Hello Yello, to make cities friendlier one conversation at a time, is working.

"I was sitting on the ‘Yello Bench’ at our pop up event last year and an older gentleman sat down to have a chat. He told me that our mission reminded him of a book called ‘Bowling Alone’ by Robert Putnam - which led me to finding the film. It’s a really beautiful full-circle moment to now be screening it for our community here in Vancouver.”

- Emma Rendell, Marketing Manager for Hello Yello.

Vancouver networks! Join Hello Yello and Kahani Pictures Tuesday, April 30 at The Beaumont Studios for the Canadian Premiere of Join or Die.

When a conversation with a stranger leads to a movie screening you know the mission of Hello Yello, to make cities friendlier one conversation at a time, is working.

19/03/2024

"I felt like I didn’t know what I was supposed to be doing. But I knew that I couldn’t just sit in my anger, sorrow, despair. I had to do something positive in that moment. I'm not usually a letter writer, I'm not often someone who walks in protests. I'm not doing any of those things. Those aren't mine. But I have always wanted a scholarship program in my parents’ names." - Mel Green, founder of MGAM

Whitney Larson talked to Mel Green about her inspiration for the The MGAM Scholarship Foundation and how the organisation is raising funds to support cis and transgender Black female students in their educational pursuits.

Check out our website for the full story, how the MGAM Scholarship Foundation is raising funds this month and how you can get invovled, if you dare.
📸 Christy Schmid

08/03/2024

Over the years, significant strides have been made towards gender equality. Women have climbed corporate ladders, shattered glass ceilings, entered male-dominated fields, and fought for our rights in politics, media and across industries. However, progress has been uneven, unsupported and often stalled by persistent inequalities, especially for underrepresented communities. Economic disparities, gender-based violence, lack of access to education and healthcare, and underrepresentation in leadership positions persist globally. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting women and girls.

Achieving gender equality is not only a matter of justice but also essential for sustainable economic development. When women are empowered and supported, societies thrive.

Our latest article outlines what we need to achieve the sustainable change and gender equality we need to celebrate International Women's Day properly in years to come.

https://rippleofchangemag.com/more-than-march/

15/02/2024

"It didn’t take much research to reveal the truth about cork that few people are aware of. It’s one the most sustainable natural materials that people have ever learned to utilize. Cork comes from the bark of cork oak trees that grow in Mediterranean Europe and North Africa. The bark is harvested once every nine years without harming the tree. Not only does the tree remain standing, but harvesting it actually extends the lifespan of the tree from around 75 years to upward of 200 years. On top of this, the freshly harvested tree must boost its carbon consumption by up to five times to regrow the bark that has been harvested.
The result is that natural cork is worth 55 times its weight in carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere by the forests in which it grows."

Hear why a relatively small founded footwear brand has the right to make grand claims of radical change. Paul Maughan-Brown, Content Manager at SOLE Footwear and ReCORK and author of this article is speaking at the Brands for Better Community Meet Up in Vancouver on February 20.

Mike Baker set out to provide people with an alternative orthotic that could offer the same relief he’d enjoyed, at a fraction of the cost.

09/02/2024

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is a time of renewal, celebrating the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. In Chinese culture this means letting go of the past and ringing in the present. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. 🐉

The Dragon is a majestic and lucky creature in Chinese folklore, symbolizing bravery, power, creativity, and innovation. The dragon is also one of the luckiest years in the Chinese zodiac.

Some customs and traditions include:

🔴 Cleaning Your Home

🔴 Decorating

🔴 Sharing meals with family

🔴 Paying respect to elders

🔴 Give money in red envelopes to kids wishing them health and wealth

🔴 Fireworks

🔴 Watching lion and dragon dances.

🔴 Wearing red

Quote from China Highlights

01/02/2024

Black history is not just a chapter in a book, or a month —it's living, breathing stories unfolding every day. This Black History Month, let's celebrate the joy, history, resilience, and achievements of black individuals and communities, past and present.

This month and always:

🖤 Embrace the beauty of diversity

🖤Educate yourself on Black history and Black voices

🖤Support Black-owned businesses and creators

🖤Celebrate the achievements of Black trailblazers

🖤Champion diversity, and stand up against injustice

29/01/2024

We've *almost* made it through January and frankly, many of us are tired. The winter blues seem to be hitting hard this year.

Here are some tips to look after your mental health until spring arrives.

There’s a lot of pressure in January to set goals, pick back up your fitness routine, abstain from alcohol, open a savings account, and embrace a ‘new year, new me’ persona. But it’s challenging to set goals by an arbitrary flip of the calendar page, especially when you’re feeling uninspir...

24/01/2024

Watch this space! Well, watch the space over at . We were thrilled to take part in the launch of their Springboard program today. What an incredible initiative and support for cause driven organizations. Today we learned about three from- . Groups of thoughtful, creative, leaders brainstormed ways to help these nonprofits reach their goals. The results were inspiring. We can't wait to share more on the work is doing and the businesses they're supporting.

11/01/2024

"While urban music would reconnect Connor with a sense of his cultural identity, skiing would facilitate a real appreciation for a crucial aspect of that identity: an unbreakable connection to nature. Although, as Connor points out “of all the hundreds of Indigenous languages that have existed on this continent . . . almost none of them have a word for ‘nature’ because it wasn’t something you could exit or leave.”"
- Writer Paul Maughan-Brown in his latest piece on pro skier Connor Ryan.

The 2022 ski film, Spirit of the Peaks, starts similarly to most works in its genre. A philosophical reflection; a beautifully shot, energetic opening sequence; a title. Then, instead of the first tones of pulsing electronica or rousing rock, something completely different. A headlamp looms from the...

11/01/2024

There is incredible power in connecting with like minded organisations and communities. In their latest issue of Make the World Better Magazine, Sparx Publishing Group highlights changemakers amplifying important causes, igniting impact and spreading positive change. We are thrilled to be starting 2024 featured among this inspiring and influential group.

Check out the latest issue of Make the World Better Magazine, we're on page 46: https://sparxpg.com/make-the-world-better/issue6/?utm_source=RIPPLEofCHANGE&utm_medium=featuredcompany&utm_campaign=backlink

09/01/2024

Taking part in this event was connecting, inspiring and nurturing. It was a great way to round out 2023. Looking forward to more collaboration with Brands for Better and their communtiy this year!

23/12/2023

See you in 2024! Peace, joy and rest from our team to yours.

19/12/2023

We’re big fans of Ocean Wise and the work they’re doing building and empowering communities to take meaningful action to protect and restore the ocean. We caught up with Jeff Wint, a Plastics Reduction expert with Ocean Wise at the Zero Waste Conference in Vancouver, BC. He shared his perspective on the plastic pollution crisis, and the role industry, businesses and consumers play in making the transition away from single-use plastic, to more sustainable material use.

We caught up with Jeff Wint, Manager, Plastics Reduction Program for OceanWise at the Zero Waste Conference in Vancouver, BC last month and were excited to hear his perspective on the plastic pollution crisis, and the role industry, businesses and consumers play in making the transition away from si...

18/12/2023

We’re big fans of and the work they’re doing building and empowering communities to take meaningful action to protect and restore the ocean. We caught up with Jeff Wint, a Plastics Reduction expert with Ocean Wise at the Zero Waste Conference in Vancouver, BC. He shared his perspective on the plastic pollution crisis, and the role industry, businesses and consumers play in making the transition away from single-use plastic, to more sustainable material use. 🌊🪸

During this season of consumption, we're thinking often of the words of all speakers at the Zero Waste Conference and reminding our communities to be mindful. ♻️

🔗 in bio for this guest piece from Jeff Wint

09/12/2023

Tis the season to shop, gift and spend money.
We encourage you this season to shop thoughtfully. Where we spend our dollars and what companies we support, matters. As consumers we hold a lot of power to keep small businesses operating another year or divert control to the retail giants. Here are some suggestions for sustainable, ethical and responsible gifts your friends and family will love.

https://rippleofchangemag.com/responsible-shopping-this-holiday-season-rocs-first-ever-gift-guide/

Anne Mulaire Designs Ace & Jig Rebelstork Sisters Sage Red Belly Honey Shane M Chartrand Nisolo VivaTerra Birch + Fog The Eco Flamingo GOODEE WorldFinds Fair Trade Plantd GiveWell

As the holiday season approaches for many, so does the urge to shop, gift and spend money. PWC’s Holiday Outlook for 2023 found that while more than 75% of consumers are on the hunt for deals this holiday, almost 40% of consumers will spend more overall than they did last year.

28/11/2023

It's been reported that last week Black Friday shoppers spent a record $9.8 billion in U.S. online sales, up 7.5% from last year. That's a lot of money.

Now with and behind us, let's pay it forward. Today is GivingTuesday, the world’s largest generosity movement. Even small contributions can make a big difference to organisations that rely on donations to do good work.

We spoke to Tracey Lundell, Senior Investment Advisor at Sea Glass Wealth Advisory Group to learn how and where to give this GivingTuesday.

https://rippleofchangemag.com/how-and-where-to-give-this-giving-tuesday/

In 2021, GivingTuesday, the world’s largest generosity movement, began to inspire shoppers to allocate some funds to go to charities and nonprofits. GivingTuesday doesn’t only encourage financial giving. The movement promotes volunteering and community support in addition to donations.

17/11/2023

“An inclusive library collection should provide both mirrors where children can see themselves represented as well as windows where children are provided with a view into the lives of others.” - Moms Against Racism (MAR) Canada

The Diverse Book Basket Program is just one resource MAR offers to Moms and other caregivers to dismantle racism within themselves, their families, their schools and their communities.

https://rippleofchangemag.com/diverse-book-baskets-offer-windows-and-mirrors/

09/11/2023

“80% of climate solutions available today are cheaper than what we’re doing now,” said Dr. Jonathan Foley at the recent Zero Waste Conference hosted by Metro Vancouver and the National Zero Waste Council.

Check out our latest article for what we learned about climate action through circularity, the globe’s most critical urgencies and what we can do about it, starting today.

https://rippleofchangemag.com/doing-less-for-zero-waste/

Environmental scientist and sustainability expert, Dr. Jonathan Foley shared that, “99% of climate change media is about the problem.”

02/11/2023

Today at the in Vancouver we learned that 99% of the global media coverage on climate change is focused on the problem. A great reminder that as media we have a responsibility to share solutions, especially on issues as urgent as climate change.

Thank you for an incredible event and line up of dynamic speakers. Stay tuned for details on some of our event highlights and ah ha moments. Many ripples started today and we can't wait to see where they go.

13/10/2023

"I felt incredibly guilty and depressed about my clothing choices after I learned the dirty truths behind the fashion industry," shares Selina Ho, founder of Recloseted

Learn more about sustainable businesses and conscious consumers that are slowly transforming the fashion industry in 'The Cost of our Clothing' from ROC Issue 02.
https://rippleofchangemag.com/the-cost-of-our-clothing/

Some brands we love for sustainable fashion, material use and conscious clothing are:
Our Social Fabric -Textile Recycling Initiative
FABCYCLE
Queen of Raw
EcoWatch
Fash-Rev
Sustainable Apparel Coalition

06/10/2023

Small conversations wield mighty power. In those fleeting moments, we build connections, share stories, and exchange ideas. They nurture relationships, dispel misunderstandings, and ignite change.

Don't underestimate the profound impact of these little exchanges; they are the threads that create ripples of change.

Ripple of Change shares inspiring stories of people making a difference.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter at https://rippleofchangemag.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5ebf257ad7c838a60e159e500&id=5c8f0312db

💬❤️

05/10/2023

"Discrimination against our community isn’t anything new, but in recent years, that discrimination has been more singularly focused on the children’s literature spectrum. Inclusive books, “own voices,” authors, and even children’s storytime events like Drag Story Hour have been the targets of this kind of discrimination."

Childrens Author Bryce Raffle shares his experience in the political battleground of LGBTQ+ representation in kids literature.

Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time in bookstores. In nearly all of the stores that I’ve visited, there is a section dedicated to pride or lgbtq+ characters. Even the kids’ sections have their own Pride collections. Titles like Ru Paul from the Little People Big Dreams series, Pride Puppy...