Future Leaders and their supporters are all around us
Just over 1.1 million British Columbians like Maya and Merry are between the ages of 15 and 29. Their passions, talents, and smarts will transform our communities and beyond in the coming years but getting a good start in today’s rapidly changing world can be challenging.
Enter United Way BC Diamond Foundation Future Leaders Program which helps young people gain valuable work experience, grow leadership skills, and develop social networks. Thanks to generous, long-term donors like The Diamond Foundation, program participants like Maya and Merry are supported for success.
Job readiness
Maya loves playing the electric guitar – in particular – Nirvana. She also likes playing video games, watching movies, and she’s looking forward to buying her first skateboard. The 15-year-old is also very interested in getting a job. Maya is preparing for her future by participating in the Future Leaders Program. Through paid or volunteer internships, the program helps youth experience the responsibilities and joys of working.
For Maya, gaining work experience comes through volunteering three hours a week helping kids ages 6 to 12 with homework at Richmond’s Touchstone Family Association. This is Maya’s second session volunteering with the After-School Homework Club.
“It’s very fun and it helps me feel more independent. I help them with homework…It also helps me communicate better.”
– Maya
“I’m [also] helping some of the kids in elementary school that may be struggling to make peer relationships.”
The Future Leaders program at Touchstone Family Association is part of the School Readiness program there, which four days a week, prepares youth to re-enter the school system after being out of it. Along with job skills, participants also learn financial literacy, time management and resume writing skills.
“Future Leaders programs are not a one-size-fits-all—it’s a dynamic network of program sites that are tailored to the unique needs of each community,” says Trisha Dulku, Strategic Initiatives Manager with United Way BC Community Impact and Investment.
“Every program site offers a different experience, shaped by the skills, interests, and challenges of local youth. Whether it’s hands-on internships, leadership training, or career mentorship, Future Leaders adapts to provide the right support where it’s needed most. From newcomer hubs to Indigenous-led initiatives and program sites for youth with disabilities, Future Leaders ensure young people gain meaningful experience and confidence to succeed.”
Of Future Leaders Maya says: “It gives kids like me opportunities to gain experience in new things like financial literacy. It’s very important.”
Inspiring confidence for the future
Three years ago, 19-year-old Merry moved to Surrey from Eritrea. Today, she’s in possession of four scholarships (!) including a full-ride scholarship at Simon Fraser University where she is studying psychology.
“I am deeply passionate about mental health care and hope to become a psychologist, focusing on providing support and raising awareness about mental health, especially for youth and immigrants,” Merry says. She credits the Future Leaders Program at UMOJA Compassion Society with helping her achieve her goals.
“It connected me with supportive individuals who assisted me with proofreading my scholarship application and valedictorian speech. I also gained valuable leadership and project management experience through event planning building skills for my future career.
“The mentorship I received was important as it gave me guidance to keep me on track. It supported me and ensured I stayed motivated and focused on achieving my objectives.”
– Merry
“When I first came to the program, I struggled with my confidence, especially with my English and my ability to fit in. I often felt unsure of myself and overwhelmed by the new challenges. But through the Future Leaders program, I found a place where I was welcomed, supported, and surrounded by people who truly believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.”
United Way BC Diamond Foundation Future Leaders Program
Almost 1,000 students like Maya and Merry across BC are making important contributions to our communities now and in the future thanks to generous forward-thinking donors like The Diamond Foundation. Their gift of $250,000 is supporting 12 Future Leaders sites throughout the Lower Mainland, North Shore, and Fraser Valley in the 2024-2025 academic year. In total, there are 41 Future Leaders sites in BC.
The Diamond Foundation’s dedicated support for the program began in 2022 and continues for 2025-2026. The Foundation’s gifts allow United Way BC and our partnering agencies to extend, expand, or create new program sites that meet the Foundation’s mandate to provide opportunities for youth in Greater Vancouver.
“By investing in Future Leaders, donors are not just supporting young people; they are investing in the future of our communities. They are helping to create a generation of empowered individuals who will lead with compassion, drive change, and make a lasting difference.”
– Merry
“I am incredibly grateful for the support I received, and I know it will continue to shape my future and the futures of many others. Donors are not just giving, they are transforming lives and building stronger, more resilient communities. My story is just one among many that demonstrate the real-life impact of these programs on young people.”