The Tidbits of Change Foundation has recognized three Canadian youths for developing meaningful community projects in collaboration with parents or mentors, awarding them bursaries to support their post-secondary education. The foundation celebrates youths who partner with a parent or mentor on significant initiatives, providing financial awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Hali ScottSmith, co-founder of the foundation, noted the selection committee faced a difficult task but identified three standout individuals whose initiatives demonstrate the power of collaborative effort.
Amy Attalla of Fernie, B.C., received the 2025 Tidbits of Change Award for creating Sibshops Fernie, a non-profit organization providing peer support to siblings of children with special needs. Inspired by her own experience as a sibling, Attalla developed workshops where participants can connect, share experiences, and engage in recreational activities. She drew upon mentorship from her older sister and leveraged her mother's background in special education and her father's experience in camp leadership and business. Greg Scott, co-founder of the foundation, stated that Attalla's initiative has had a remarkable impact on her community.
Sho Kagawa Brooks, now a student at Toronto Metropolitan University, received a Youth Inspiration Bursary Award presented by HEAD/Tyrolia for co-founding the Sea to Sky Student Short Film Festival. Brooks and his partners worked closely with a mentor from the Whistler Film Festival and their high school vice-principal to develop the festival, which has grown into a platform empowering student filmmakers. Scott observed that Brooks saw an opportunity to create something meaningful, sought out mentorship, and turned it into an inspiring platform for young storytellers.
Kaelyn Smith of Sherwood Park, Alta., now a student at Grant MacEwan University, received a Youth Inspiration Bursary Award presented by Kal Tire for partnering with her father to support people experiencing homelessness. They volunteered with organizations including The Mustard Seed, PAC Mission, and Hope Mission, and plan to expand their efforts through a project focused on Skid Row in Los Angeles. Scott emphasized that all three collaborative initiatives have made meaningful impacts in their communities while strengthening relationships between the youths and their mentors.
The foundation hopes these efforts will create a ripple effect, inspiring others to pursue their own passion projects through mentorship collaborations. The foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026 bursaries until April 30, 2026, with more information available at https://tidbitsofchange.org. These awards highlight how intergenerational partnerships can address community needs while fostering personal growth and educational advancement for young Canadians.
