she’s here: Owning the Table MEntorship Program

POWERED BY

RaiseHer Co. X University of Regina Champions of Change

project-based, intergenerational mentorship opportunity

THE WHAT

WHAT IS THIS PROGRAM?

RaiseHER Co. and the University of Regina Champions of Change Club are proud to come together for a third year to host She's Here Mentorship Program. This program is a FREE in-person project-based mentorship opportunity for female and/or gender diverse post-secondary students or new professionals aged 18 to 25 (“Associates”) and female and/or gender diverse matched working professional over 25 (“Professionals”) to help foster leadership skills and help enhance the ability for local organizations (in which the “Professionals” work at) to better support, recruit and adapt to the needs of the leaders of tomorrow.

BONUS: As a gesture of our appreciation for the time, insights and efforts that program participants put into their project that benefits the diversity, equity and inclusion environments of the local businesses involved, all participants (Associates + Professionals) will be awarded a $50.00 honourarium thanks to the generousity of our presenting sponsors, Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK).

Applications are now closed for the 2024 program intake. Please check back for future intake periods.

THE WHY

WHY ARE WE HOSTING THIS PROGRAM?

The goal of this program is to provide post-secondary students and new professionals with first hand experience of what it is like to take on leadership roles in various industries, and reinforce that women do belong and thrive in leadership positions. The experience will provide students and young professionals or “Associates” with an opportunity to collaborate with a seasoned local “Professional” mentor to collectively solve a problem while both building and exercising leadership qualities. In turn, the “Professional” offers space for the “Associate” to share their experiences and knowledge on how their company/organization can better support youth-focused issues, attract young women and/or gender-diverse individuals and create spaces that set up the next generation of leaders for success.

Why is it important to offer space for youth in decision-making positions? The next generation of leaders is here and is watching. Youth have been at the forefront of all major social justice movements, and since youth experience the world differently, they are able to ameliorate work environments to a more modern and creative space. Including youth in conversations breaks down intergenerational divides to allow any and all organizations to have sustainable development. Welcoming the youth’s unique perspective offers insight into issues + context to issues that might have been largely ignored or simply unknown.

After hearing from past participants of the program, some of the top skills gained and strengthened throughout the experience included, but were not limited to:

Leadership
Networking
Public speaking
Writing/communication
Compassion
Creativity
Team-oriented thinking
Compassion
Learning perspectives of youth was very valuable,
Patience

THE WHEN

WHEN IS THIS PROGRAM HAPPENING?

The below programs sessions will be held at the University of Regina (exact room TBD) on the below dates. Further details of the location and preparation for program sessions will be shared with all selected applicants once the application process closes.

To participate in the program, please ensure you are available the following 2024 dates for program evening meet up sessions:

Thursday, January 11, 2024 - Program Information Session (Both Associates and Professionals)
Thursday, January 18, 2024 - Mentorship Match Networking (Both Associates and Professionals)
January 19 - Feb. 28, 2024 - Associate and Professional individual group working sessions (as needed and planned/organized by individual groups)
Thursday, February 29, 2024 - Mentorship Project Presentation and Celebration (Both Associates and Professionals)

THE HOW

HOW CAN I BE APART OF THIS?

To be part of this FREE, for-impact program, all participants must fill out an online application and fully commit to participating in all above listed in-person meetings and sessions.

Applications are now closed for the 2024 program intake.

For more information on this program, please email shesherementorship@gmail.com

THE PURPOSE

WHY WE’VE COME TOGETHER

RaiseHER Community and the University of Regina Champions of Change Club are movements dedicated to enhancing the empowerment, equality and advancement of women and girls by providing them with unique confidence and leadership-building information, opportunities, experiences and resources.

Their shared commitment to raising up the leaders of tomorrow has spawned the creation of this free intergenerational project-based mentorship program.

This program was created to provide women at different stages of their career paths hands-on opportunities to learn what it is like to take on leadership roles in various industries, be change-makers in helping to make the the local work landscape more inclusive to women and reinforce that women do belong and thrive in leadership positions.

The 2023 She’s Here Mentorship Program is presented by Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK).

Testimonials

anonymous

“I was encouraged to submit an application, and I’m so glad I did. I love what I get to do for work, but as I grow in my career it’s easy to think about work, personal life and thats it. This project was awesome because it got me out of my comfort zone, I was able to collaborate with my mentee and we got to create a really valuable project. My advice to anyone thinking about applying is: JUST DO IT! RaiseHer and Champions of Change made it so inviting, inclusive and the whole process was so planned out. I did not feel like I was wasting my time in the slightest, and I love the project so much my partner and I are going to continue this long term. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn new mentor qualities about myself, gaining confidence on non-profit work and finding new passions that lead to change.”

leah sharpe

“I love this mentorship program. It allowed me to give back to an emerging leader in a way that others invested in me early in my career but I also took so much away. I learned so much from Sarah and just really enjoyed spending time with her and hearing her perspectives. And getting to work on a real life challenge was energizing and empowering. I feel like I made a life-long connection/friend AND I get to put what we learned together in our project into practice in my workplace. I’m grateful this program exists and know I’ll be back to volunteer soon!“

jenny hart

“The mentorship program is a great opportunity to connect professionals with students to collaborate on a shared project. I learned a lot from my match. Her open and honest communication and willingness to share her experience was very refreshing. It gave me a new understanding of the issues and perspectives of our future leaders.”

Nicole

Participating in the mentorship program with RaiseHerCo created opportunities for me to network professionally with other leaders that are passionate about equity. It also created space for me to listen to young women, follow their direction and help work towards tangible action on equity. I was very happy I participated!

NEVEAH

“This program enabled me to speak about my past experiences and trauma, as well as create a meaningful project surrounding an epidemic our province is facing. This space was a safe and loving one, and I got to make so many supportive connections.“

ANONYMOUS

“This program introduced me to a group of supportive women who aren’t there to compete but rather empower. My mentor was kind and very smart. She allowed me to take the lead on the project while helping me out when needed by giving me access to events and helping me network with people in my field. I appreciate that I got to learn from my mentor and other mentor groups in a safe space. I also got to make a change in the community to help women like myself feel confident and valuable in their field of study. I would totally do this again!”

SARAH GULASH

“This program has not only provided me with applicable skills such as writing, networking, and public speaking, but has also empowered me to take action towards issues in my community. I think it can be very intimidating to put yourself out there and dedicate so much energy into something that impacts so many people, but this program proves that anyone can make a difference and even the smallest improvements can make big change. Additionally, I got to work with an amazing woman who I admire so much and who I am proud to call a friend. I have connected with multiple other associates from the program who have been nothing but a bright light in my life. Overall, this program has been beneficial in so many ways and I am so thankful to have been a part of it.”

Joanne Lexine Mantes

As a young person, this mentorship program has helped me grow into more confident and driven adult as well as sharpened my skills as a leader. It was truly a wonderful experience to work with another woman who can open doors for new experiences and can guide you through becoming the leader you want to be.