Ripple of Change Magazine

14/11/2024

Tis the season for over-consumption and impulse spending. This holiday season, we’re focusing on gifts that are functional, impactful and practical while still offering joy, style and delight.

We curated a sustainable gift guide designed to inspire thoughtful giving that supports cause-focused makers, prioritizes eco-friendly materials, and encourages long-lasting, practical items over disposable trends. By shopping locally and choosing mindfully, we hope you'll find unique gifts and also help small businesses thrive while reducing our environmental footprint. This year, let’s celebrate the joy of giving in a way that’s kinder to our planet and meaningful for both the giver and the receiver.

Some of our favorite gift ideas are from brands like:

Allbirds Shoes, Sneakers, Flats & Slippers Sale
MATE the Label
Revol Cares
Patagonia
Tru Earth
Pela Case
and more!

It’s the time of year of over-consumption and spending. This holiday season, we’re focusing on gifts that are functional, impactful and practical while still offering joy, style and delight. Our sustainable gift guide is designed to inspire thoughtful giving that supports cause-focused makers, p...

01/11/2024

Wishing you a Diwali that brings peace, prosperity and joy to you and your loved ones.

Today, we celebrate the festival of lights—a reminder of the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

Below are three simple ways to observe and reflect on Diwali’s meaning:
Light a Candle for Unity: Take a moment to light a candle or diya, symbolizing hope and connection across cultures and communities.

Support Small Businesses: Consider buying festive items or gifts from local artisans and small businesses to honor Diwali’s spirit of generosity.

Learn & Share: Read about Diwali’s history and significance, and share something you learned with friends or family to spread understanding.
A great place to start is Diwali: Hindu Festival of Lights" by Rina Singh ().

This beautifully illustrated book is ideal for readers of all ages, offering a clear and engaging overview of Diwali's traditions, significance, and celebrations across different regions.

May your day be filled with warmth, love, and light.

If you found this helpful, please repost to help spread awareness and education.
✨

26/10/2024

Looking for a fresh perspective on diversity? Check out "The Diversity Bonus" by Scott E. Page.

In this book, Page explores how diversity—beyond race and gender—leads to better problem-solving, innovation, and overall success in teams and organizations. The core idea is simple yet powerful: when you bring together people with different perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking, you create a "diversity bonus" that boosts performance.

💡 Key Takeaways:
Teams made up of individuals with diverse cognitive skills outperform homogenous groups when tackling complex problems.

Diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and adaptability, which are crucial in today’s fast-changing world.

Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or simply interested in the power of diversity, this book offers actionable insights that challenge conventional thinking and inspire change.

👉 Read it today and learn how you can harness the power of diversity to make a real difference in your work and community.

18/10/2024

What happens when musicians from LA to Uganda collaborate through Web3 to create something unique every Friday? The Park DAO is flipping the script on how music is made, shared, and funded—using blockchain tech to empower artists without the need for middlemen.

Check out our latest article by Bob Roth discussing how decentralized music is reshaping the industry and bringing artists closer to their communities!

Read the full story here https://buff.ly/4dRG3Er

17/10/2024

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela

Knowledge is the catalyst for change. When we educate ourselves, we gain the tools to understand complex issues, challenge injustices, and inspire others to join us in making a difference. Education ignites curiosity, fosters critical thinking, and empowers us to take meaningful action in our communities and beyond.

Why Educate Yourself?
Informed Decisions: Understanding the facts enables you to make choices that align with your values and contribute to positive outcomes.

Empowerment: Knowledge builds confidence to speak up, advocate for causes, and lead initiatives.

Inspiring Others: Your commitment to learning can motivate those around you to also seek understanding and get involved.

Ready to turn knowledge into action? Visit our Action Page to find resources, upcoming events, and ways you can make an impact today. https://buff.ly/4eP0enS

14/10/2024

Today, we honor Indigenous Peoples' Day. We recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across the United States. This day is an opportunity to reflect on the resilience and wisdom of these communities, honoring the cultures and histories.

We commit to supporting their rights and voices while continuing to learn, unlearn, listen and respect their history with the land we call home. We continue to advocate for justice and equity in all the work that we do.

“It does not require many words to speak the truth.” – Chief Joseph

12/10/2024

"Vote for climate champions. And if they don’t exist, run for office. I’m never going to tell you to recycle when billionaires emit more carbon emissions from their summer yachts than entire towns do in a year. —Ashley Zarbatany, Fossil Gas Campaigner with Dogwood BC

The future of our planet depends on collective action and courageous leadership. This message reminds us that while individual actions like recycling are important, they aren't enough to combat the climate crisis on their own. The significant impact comes from systemic change and holding major polluters accountable. Let's work together to drive the systemic changes necessary for a sustainable world.

10/10/2024

World Mental Health Day is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues and mobilizing efforts to support mental well-being. This year's theme focuses on promoting mental health as a universal human right, emphasizing that everyone deserves access to mental health care and support.

Mental health affects all aspects of our lives—from how we think and feel to how we handle stress and relate to others. Despite its importance, mental health often doesn't receive the attention it deserves due to stigma, lack of resources, or misinformation.

Here are three actions you can take to support mental health:

---

Educate Yourself and Others

Why: Understanding mental health is the first step toward breaking down stigma.
How: Read or watch insightful resources to expand your knowledge.

Recommended Resources:

Read —> The Mental Health Stigma: Society's Hidden Shame](https://buff.ly/4dDnXWE) by the World Health Organization (WHO). This piece explores the impact of stigma on mental health and offers ways to combat it.

Watch —> The Mind, Explained(Netflix series). This documentary delves into topics like anxiety, mindfulness, and the workings of the brain, providing a deeper understanding of mental health.

Listen —> Happier with Gretchen Rubin. This podcast offers practical advice on habits and happiness, touching on mental well-being in everyday life.

Remember, every action—no matter how small—contributes to a world where mental health is understood, supported, and celebrated. Let's stand together to ensure mental well-being is a reality for everyone.

08/10/2024

Global Diversity Month celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures, experiences, and perspectives that make up our world. This month, we're shining a light on Race Forward ()—a leading organization dedicated to advancing racial justice and equity—who's work aligns perfectly with this mission. Founded in 1981, Race Forward catalyzes movement-building for racial justice by bringing systemic analysis and innovative solutions to complex race issues.

📣 How Can You Get Involved?

Follow and Share: Keep up with Race Forward's latest work by following . Share their content to spread awareness.

Learn and Educate: Dive into their reports, articles, and podcasts to educate yourself and others about racial justice issues.

Participate: Attend the Facing Race Conference or join their webinars and workshops to connect with like-minded individuals.

Support: Consider donating or volunteering to support their initiatives that drive systemic change.

Global Diversity Month is an opportunity to celebrate diversity AND to commit to actions that promote equity and justice.

03/10/2024

After being relocated from their home land, in the early 20th Century, the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm community was left unprotected by diking infrastructure built to safeguard a neighboring regional park.

Years later, local government leaders have acknowledged the wrongdoing of past governments and is taking action through collaboration. Kwikwetlem Fn feels heard and now their community has a plan for flooding protection.

Though Truth and Reconcilliation Day has passed in Canada, it's on our minds and in our actions every day.

https://rippleofchange.com/long-awaited-flooding-recognition-offers-truth-reconciliation-and-a-resilient-future/

30/09/2024

Today, on , we reflect on the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada. We honour the survivors, their families, and communities. We honour the many children who never came home.

This day is a powerful reminder of the need to acknowledge the painful past and to commit to ongoing healing and reconciliation. There is no reconciliation without truth. To understand the truth of the past and ongoing oppression, we must continue to learn, listen, and understand the experiences of Indigenous peoples across Canada and the world.

You can foster truth and reconciliation today and throughout the year by:

Learning: Take the time to educate yourself about the history and impacts of residential schools. Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Listening: Engage with Indigenous voices and stories. Whether through books, podcasts, or local events, listening is a vital step in the journey toward reconciliation.

Wearing Orange: Show your solidarity by wearing an orange shirt today and throughout the year, symbolizing our commitment to honouring the lives of children who were taken from their families and sent to residential schools.

We need a commitment to truth and reconciliation, not just on days we wear orange.

Check out the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation for resources, education and research.

29/09/2024

This we're taking an informed approach to what kick starts our day. Grab a hot one and explore what exactly makes coffee ethical, and what we should ask before we enjoy our daily (or more) caffeine infusion.

In a world where our morning cup of coffee is a necessary step to get the day going smoothly, the conversation around ethical coffee is brewing stronger than ever. As consumers, we’re more aware of the impact our java choices have on the world, from pods to beans to the mug we’re drinking from. ...

17/09/2024

We chatted with Ashley Zarbatany Dogwood BC about the For Our Kids Climate March in Vancouver this Friday, September 20. Read her thoughts on climate change myths, family friendly marches and hear her call to action.

"As a parent, I’m responsible for ensuring that my kids are safe and that includes doing everything I can to ensure that governments are making climate responsible decisions today that will impact them tomorrow. Not only is it still possible to limit global warming but we all have a responsibility to do so." - Ashley Zarbatany

2023 Climate Strike by Amy Chui Photography

16/09/2024

One powerful way companies demonstrate their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is by offering employees the choice, on company time, to make the world a better place. Whether it’s collecting litter along a shoreline, preparing and serving soup to an unhoused population or managing the social media accounts for an animal rescue, volunteer time looks and feels different for each of us.

We looked at companies like SOLE, Heineken and Patagonia to explore how paid volunteer time works and which companies are leading the way.

Read it:

Offering their employees paid time off to volunteer, demonstrates a company’s commitment to putting social responsibility commitments into action.  Does playing chess online with a senior citizen in a nursing home count as social responsibility? Some companies believe it does. Corporate social re...

14/08/2024

ICYMI - ROC’s Jenn Wint, parent to two kids under 7, sat down with Jen Lumanlan Your Parenting Mojo to get insight and tools on how to have tough, yet real, conversations with our kids, and ourselves. They chatted about how we traditionally taught children that it's OK for more powerful people to control others, and how this plays out in society.

Jen Lumanlan’s book, Parenting Beyond Power: How to Use Connection & Collaboration to Transform Your Family - And the World explores the connections between social challenges and the struggles of parenting offering a revolutionary framework for rethinking our relationships with children.

This interview offers insight into the systems parents need to examine and unlearn in order to position their children to create a better world for all of us in the future.

Visit our website to read the full article.
https://buff.ly/3SQIFeh

12/08/2024

The youth are the architects of tomorrow’s world.

On this International Youth Day, celebrate the power, potential, and passion of young people around the globe. Today, we honor their contributions and recognize the importance of investing in their future.

An incredible organization making a difference is Athleta () with their program to support and empower young girls through sports and leadership programs. This approach is shaping confident, resilient leaders of tomorrow.

Other notable organizations empowering youth include:
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (): Providing safe spaces and enriching programs for youth development.

UNICEF (): Advocating for children’s rights and providing education, healthcare, and emergency relief.

Big Brothers Big Sisters (): Offering mentorship that helps youth achieve their full potential.

By supporting these organizations and many others that are dedicated to nurturing and guiding our youth, we’re ensuring a brighter, more inclusive future.

09/08/2024

In our work towards building more inclusive communities, understanding and allyship are key. To broaden our understanding, we’ve chosen 5 insightful books that offer powerful perspectives and guidance on how we can support and uplift disabled and differently abled communities. Check them out, be willing to grow, and let's start a ripple towards a more inclusive approach.

1. Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body by Rebekah Taussig

Rebekah shares her personal experiences with disability, offering an honest and compelling look at life from her resilient and unique perspective.

2. Laughing at My Nightmare by Shane Burcaw
Shane’s humorous and candid memoir reveals his journey living with spinal muscular atrophy, reminding us of the power of humor and positivity in overcoming challenges.

3. Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally by Emily Ladau

Emily provides a comprehensive guide to disability etiquette and allyship, making it an essential read for anyone looking to support the disabled community more effectively.

4. Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-first Century by Alice Wong
This anthology features diverse voices from the disabled community, sharing powerful and personal stories that challenge misconceptions and highlight the richness of disabled lives.

5. No Pity: People with Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement by Joseph P. Shapiro NPR

Joseph chronicles the history and impact of the disability rights movement, showcasing the relentless fight for equality and justice.
Which book will you start with? 📖

07/08/2024

How can you support a person living with dementia?

Supporting someone living with dementia requires empathy, patience, and understanding. The person you knew, and still love, is in there and longing to connect. There are tools to support caregivers that can make spending time with your loved one rewarding and enjoyable.

Here are some tips for compassionate care:
• Treat them with respect and dignity
• Ask their opinion
• Include them in social activities and events.
• Lighten the mood to help everyone overcome the stigma of dementia. Encourage them to share their experiences, especially of their early life, as those memories are often retained the longest.
• Invite them to activities they enjoy, even if they are only able to watch from the sidelines.
• Do your best to include them in conversations. If they appear agitated in loud group settings, make opportunities for them to enjoy quiet one-on-one conversations, so their brains can more easily process what’s being said.
• Address agitation as soon as it starts. Why is the person anxious? Could it be sundowning? (A common state at dusk.) Misperceptions? (Round dark rugs might look like an open manhole.) Confusion or pressure to recall who people are? Be curious, observant, and ask questions.

Check out for therapeutic video tools for caregivers and people living with dementia.