Press Start CoLab Now Accepting Applications from Canadian Youth to Address the Mental Health Crisis in Canada
May 06 2024 - 8:00AM
Teachers Life Insurance and nowly today announced the launch of
their third-annual Press Start CoLab Program for Canadian youth
ages 18-29 years. The Press Start CoLab Program is an innovation
accelerator helping the next generation of young leaders,
activists, innovators, entrepreneurs, and critical thinkers tackle
pressing social issues facing Canadians today. The 2024 CoLab is
focused on the mental health crisis in Canada, and applications are
now open at Press Start. Young entrepreneurs who feel passionate
about addressing the mental health crisis in Canada are encouraged
to apply.
Hosted by Teachers Life and nowly, the Press Start CoLab Program
will provide 50 social-preneurs with access to industry and impact
experts who will mentor them through the ideation process
throughout the 10-week summer program. Participants from across the
nation can submit ideas to access $70,000 in grant money and
in-kind business services. Applications open May 6 and close on
June 3, 2024, and the program kicks off the week of July 4.
“We launched the Press Start CoLab three years ago to empower
young Canadians to create truly meaningful and positive social
change in our communities across Canada,” said Martha Turner
Osborne, Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer for Teachers Life
and nowly. “Today, more than 100 Canadian youth have been through
the program and developed actionable – and inspiring – ideas to
address a broad range of mental health challenges in Canada.”
The 2024 Press Start CoLab emcee is Kwame Osei, a dynamic
professional host and keynote speaker who focuses on inspiring
change, action, and growth. Osei is one of several inspirational
speakers supporting the program, including:
- Dr. Susan Biali Haas, an award-winning medical doctor, health
and wellness expert, coach, speaker, and author
- Autumn Peltier, a leading voice for Indigenous rights and
environmental activist who has dedicated her young life to bringing
clean water to Indigenous peoples in Canada
- Anthony Lue, a disability advocate with a powerful story of
determination, persistence, and transformation
- JR Larose, a former Canadian football player and Indigenous
advocate focused on helping others meet the challenges of change
and systematic oppression head on
- Michel Chikwanine, a former African child soldier who inspires
listeners to believe in their ability to make a difference
- Joelle Tomlinson, a journalist, storyteller, and advocate for
representation, diversity, and equity
Participation in CoLab is free and open to Canadian
entrepreneurs ages 18-29 to create original and unconventional
solutions to the mental health crisis in Canada. Solutions are
evaluated for originality, quality, and clarity of the proposal, as
well as the viability, desirability, feasibility, and potential
impact of the solution to drive meaningful change. At the end of
the program, select solution proposals will receive grant funding
from a pool of $70,000, including grants from affiliated partners
like Canadian-based life insurance provider North Cover, RMA, and
GenRe. Promotional partners in the 2024 Press Start CoLab include
Kids Help Phone and jack.org. For more information, please visit
Press Start.
Based on the success of the Press Start Program, Teachers Life
and nowly, in partnership with OTIP, are piloting a CoLab
program in the fall for high school students in Ontario.
Participating high school students will have a similar opportunity
to submit ideas to address the mental health crisis for access to
$25,000 in grant money.
About Press StartPress Start is a social impact
program designed to connect and empower youth to drive positive
changes through innovation, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and
activism. The annual CoLab program shepherds 50 aspiring Canadian
social-preneurs and activists, ages 18 to 29, to problem-solve on
some of Canada's most pressing social issues through
community, mentorship, collaboration, and seed-funding. Founded in
2022, the Press Start Program is backed by Teachers Life Insurance
and nowly as an extension of Teachers Life’s mission to give back
to its members and communities. For more information, please visit
Press Start.
Media Contact: Sarah
Meessarah@meescommunications.com617-462-8066