Testimonials
Hear from EmpowHER's community
Current Testimonials
Over the last few weeks, it has been a truly empowering and enriching experience to be working with EmpowHER. The program has helped me build confidence, heighten my leadership and communication skills, and deepen my awareness of strengths and passions. The staff members have been supportive, available, and genuinely dedicated to our growth, they create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere in which everyone is listened to and respected. Their best practices include offering constructive feedback, encouraging us to step out of our comfort zones, and fostering a sense of community among participants. EmpowHER is directly helping me move closer to my goals by giving me practical skills, valuable insights, and a strong network of inspiring mentors and peers. I’m grateful for the opportunity and would highly recommend EmpowHER to anyone looking to develop personally and professionally.
Ustatleen K.
Being part of EmpowHER over the past few weeks has been an amazing, learning experience. The program has a very supportive environment where everyone’s voice is heard through input, feedback, and testimonials. The staff are very supportive and encouraging and they always lead with empathy, collaboration, and open communication; answering everyone’s questions thoroughly and quickly. Their best practice is giving us the space to take initiative through project planning for our co-creation projects, volunteering for events, and sometimes planning activities, while offering guidance when needed.. Through leading events and co-creation projects, I’ve gained more confidence, leadership skills, project planning/negotiation skills, and a real sense of purpose. It’s genuinely helping me grow both personally and professionally towards my goals.
Puneet G.
One of the best parts of EmpowHer has been connecting with other participants. Working alongside them has taught me how powerful teamwork and different perspectives can be. My favorite moment so far was stepping out of my comfort zone to share my ideas in front of the group and realizing that I was supported, not judged. This program is helping me prepare for my future by strengthening my leadership, communication, and analytical thinking skills. For example, I’ve practiced leadership through group projects, improved my communication by presenting ideas, and developed analytical thinking while researching community issues. All of these skills connect directly to the career path I want to pursue which is being a doctor. EmpowHer should continue because it gives young people opportunities to learn, grow, and make real change. It pushes us outside of our comfort zones, builds confidence, and helps us discover our potential while also benefiting the community.
Gabriella O.
Working in the EmpowHer program has been helping me acquire useful skills. With what I’ve learned so far through the workshops, it has given me a more thorough insight in navigating the job market, which is beneficial for me as someone going into university in the upcoming year. I really liked hearing people’s ideas when we had group focused sessions, as I got to hear creative inputs. The staff have been very friendly and wonderful. I think they are best at encouraging others to get involved and creating opportunities for every participant. They truly want the best for everyone who is involved and it is really great to see. The program has really been helping me towards my goals by adding volunteer hours whenever I can, but recently it’s helping push myself out of my comfort zone and to do more, be more active and it leaves me feeling more accomplished.
Akunna O.
Over the past few weeks, being part of the EmpowHER program has been a really positive experience for me. It gave me a space where I felt comfortable sharing my thoughts, learning from others, and reflecting on my own growth. The sessions were engaging and meaningful, and I always felt like my voice mattered. The staff were supportive, approachable, and easy to talk to. They created a welcoming environment and made sure everyone felt included. One thing I really appreciated was how they encouraged open conversations while still keeping us focused and motivated. Their guidance and feedback helped me feel more confident and comfortable stepping outside my comfort zone. EmpowHER has helped me build confidence, improve my communication skills, and think more intentionally about my goals and leadership abilities. Overall, I’m really grateful for this experience and the opportunity to be part of a program that genuinely supports and empowers young women.
Fanaa P.
Through the EmpowHER program I have gained the opportunity to create lifelong relationships, gain irreplaceable experiences, build skills, and make an impact on my community. This program has benefited me in every aspect. The staff are exceptionally supportive. They consistently go above and beyond to ensure that we are supported, creating an environment where we feel valued and well-assisted. Their dedication and professionalism significantly enhance the overall experience as an EmpowHER member. EmpowHER has assisted me in working towards achieving my goals of pursuing a career in business by helping me develop essential skills and build valuable connections.
Diya K.
EmpowHER Member
I have learned things that I didn’t know about before, made new friends, and faced my biggest challenge of getting out of my comfort zone. I have benefited from the grant writing workshop because I gained a new interest in something I had never known about before joining this program. The staff is easy to work with and represents a good and positive work environment. Darren has been very easy to communicate with and shows a kind and respectful nature towards the EmpowHER group. Trez is very inspiring, motivating and a good role model to young females who aspire to be successful entrepreneurs and leaders.
Lenique shows a positive attitude towards empower, gives really great advice and has given very impactful and informative presentations during workshops. Womiye is enthusiastic towards new ideas and shows great positivity in workshops.
Arshdeep H.
Current EmpowHER Member
From the very beginning, everything kicked into action right away. I loved the orientation, and the resources provided, such as the courses and materials, have been incredibly valuable. One highlight for me was having the opportunity to host a workshop during the March Break workshops. It was a fantastic opportunity to practice public speaking and workshop facilitation. Planning the WE event has also been a rewarding experience, and working under pressure with a tight timeline has really challenged me and helped me grow. This program is helping me towards my goals by equipping me with practical skills that I can apply to future positions, like a tutor or a researcher. It’s preparing me for the job market in a way that’s both hands-on and real-world.
Yashmi M.
Current EmpowHER Member
Being a part of the program over the past few weeks has been a transformative experience. In fact, even when I just joined, I almost immediately saw an immense difference in time management, due to the projects that I joined. The structure of this program is clear, supportive, and motivating. By being a part of a team of dedicated and motivated individuals, I have been motivated to work harder towards reaching my goals. The staff are amazing as well. They’re approachable, knowledgeable, and always willing to be there when needed. I genuinely feel more confident and focused towards reaching my goals thanks to this program. I’m excited to see how much further I can go.
Yuna B.
I joined this program because it interested me, and my mom told me to do something, so I’d be busy throughout the year. I’m really glad I did, because it’s turned out to be such a valuable and fun experience that has taught me a lot. The program makes me feel like I’m part of a welcoming and supportive community, and I really enjoy the co-creation projects since they let me meet new people, work on ideas together, and get more involved in meaningful ways. I’ve been able to practice leadership, creativity, and teamwork in ways that feel both challenging and exciting, and I love that every group has its own energy and focus, so I’m always learning something different. What I appreciate most is how the staff are always supportive and encouraging, but at the same time, they give us independence to make our own decisions, take initiative, and learn from experience instead of having everything handed to us. Through this program, I’ve really noticed growth in my communication and time-management skills—whether it’s juggling responsibilities, staying organized, or expressing my ideas clearly—and I know these are skills that will help me not only in school, but also in any future opportunities or career paths I choose to follow. Overall, this program has helped me grow as a person, connect with amazing people, and find confidence!
Avni N.
I first joined EmpowHer because I read about how it is a program focused on skill-development and community-building. As a university student that wasn’t occupied with an internship or job, I was wondering how I could develop myself for future opportunities. Therefore, over the past months, I've noticed how the program’s mission is geared heavily towards the success of its participants rather than a specific cause. For EmpowHer, the participants are the cause and it is great to see how many resources and opportunities there are for an individual to gain a variety of experiences and knowledge. Over this summer, the program has helped me engage in projects that utilize my marketing knowledge and skills in a real-life application, rather than what I have done during school which are very contained and limited. I’ve also had the opportunity to develop soft skills such as leadership, decision-making and time management through the co-creation project work. The program’s flexibility and inclusion is its strengths, which makes it ideal for younger women who have career aspirations. EmpowHer has helped me make a difference in this community, and the confidence I’ve gained will empower me to make a difference in
Manal K.
Working on this program over the past few weeks has been a really positive and rewarding experience. It’s been engaging, well-structured, and has allowed me to learn while contributing meaningfully to real community-focused initiatives. The staff, especially those who I have interacted with most (Sankavi and Ericka) have been really supportive. One of their best practices is prompt communication and support for new members. They’ve helped me settle into this new community really quickly, and they have helped me stay on task and learn about the many opportunities present here at EmpowHER. The program is helping me towards my goals because it is providing me with the adequate guidance and support to explore various opportunities. For example, in the Academic and Career Fair, I learned a lot about potential universities and fields I could go into, and I was able to refer to others who have benefitted from it as well.
Bhavana G.
For the past few weeks, working on this program has been very rewarding. As someone who is still full-time in school and searching for opportunities for career development, community engagement, and addressing or learning more about issues and barriers for those within the community, this program has definitely helped me reach those goals and continues to leverage me. I find that the weekly workshops enable me to have something to look forward to and relax while also gaining valuable skills and knowledge. I think that the staff that work with this program are incredible and very understanding when they have created their requirements and expectations. It is difficult to find a program that is as rewarding as this one with flexible schedules in mind. This program helps me achieve my goals and aspirations as I too would like to learn more and gain experience with addressing issues and barriers that people experience. I want to leverage my experiences and be able to create a project that I am passionate about.
Shanthiya T.
Working with this program has had a positive impact on myself. I had the chance to put my skills to work in new ways, which has been both challenging and exciting. The staff has been amazing—super supportive and always willing to offer guidance when I need it. What I really appreciate about them is how they communicate clearly, create a collaborative environment, and provide helpful feedback that pushes me to improve. This program has been helping me get closer to my goals by giving me real-world experience and allowing me to build on important skills like leadership and marketing, and many others. Overall, I’m really grateful for the chance to be a part of it and excited to see where it takes me.
Natalie R.
EmpowHER Member
I’ve been working with EmpowHER in hopes to gain valuable skills and to build meaningful connections with others in our community. The opportunity to engage in a passion project and various workshops has allowed me to really dive into issues that matter to me and others in the community. The staff members involved in EmpowHER are exceptional. I feel like the community that has been built in this organization is always available to offer support. They really contribute which creates a sense of belonging and encourages everyone to contribute their unique perspectives through the passion projects.
My goal has been to learn new skills which have been achieved throughout the various workshops. In terms of the passion project, I was able to think further and try my best to contribute to the issues that I’ve been seeing throughout my community.
Raveen D.
Current EmpowHER Member
I love the program, especially the empowerment focus and helping build confidence in young women which is essential for their development. Three of my main goals that I had going into this program were building my confidence, learning new skills, and meeting new people. I am happy to say that all of those goals of mine have been achieved! Everyone I've seen in the program is very outgoing and confident which has given me an example of what women can achieve. The workshops in EmpowHER so far have helped me learn a lot of new skills, especially marketing. I have definitely met a lot of amazing individuals and hope to meet
more people at future events! Overall, I love the program so far and will continue participating and having an amazing time!
Shahd A.
Current EmpowHER Member
Past Testimonials
* The EmpowHER Program was previously titled EmpowOUR Youth for Engagement (EYE)
Hiba M.
(2023-24)
Being a member of EYE has given me the resources I previously did not have. Starting a podcast for me felt like a far-fetched dream due to the lack of support around me, however, being in EYE has allowed me to be one step closer to achieving my dream. If I could sum up EYE in three words, they would be this: For. The. Youth. EYE is one of the few programs out there that recognize the potential of the youth, and put in the resources, time, and effort to help them build upon their skills.
Purav B.
(2023-24)
The EYE program has given me opportunities I never thought I would have, working at Carabram, helping host and being a vendor at a job fair, helping host an academic fair and much more. Being in this program has had a great effect on my life, in terms of the skills and knowledge I would need for the future. As of now, I believe I have greatly changed as a person, and am looking forward to learning new skills, and helping finish new and more difficult tasks.
Kashika S.
(2023-24)
Through the program, I’ve had chances to network with industry professionals, members of government and even my own coordinators, giving me the base I need to get started in the professional world. What I like most about this program is how easily I can see the benefits of my own efforts in this program as well as the encouragement to become a youth leader. I always leave EYE-related events having learnt something new about my future, which I am grateful for at a time where I have my own path to forge.
Sedra A.
(2023-24)
At first, I volunteered with these programs for my high school volunteer hours, but I realized that volunteering is more than just hours. I fell in love with creating events that benefit the community. Now, I have more than 1000 hours. Through these two programs, I’ve learned skills like event planning, marketing, public speaking and resume writing. This program has given me leadership opportunities and many connections that I can continue to use in the future. I also got a summer job through these volunteer programs!
Palvi C.
(2022-23)
I joined EmpowHER because I was looking for an opportunity to grow my skills and network with others in my community. EmpowHER taught me very valuable skills and I recommend all womxn to join. You get to learn more about politics, event planning and career along with developing confidence and making new friends!
Reem H.
(2021)
Being in EmpowHER made me see the bigger picture, connected me to the person I have always inspired to be and most wonderful, talented, ambitious women and mentors. These three months have opened my eyes, heart and mind to the infinite possibilities we have: we can be the designers to our destiny.