In this episode of the Youth Mentor Podcast, we chat with Holly Hashimi about her first year founding HeartSpark, a not-for-profit organisation that grew from 8 participants to multiple groups and a waitlist in just 12 months. Holly takes us behind the scenes of starting a youth organisation from scratch in Fort McMurray, Canada - from finding free spaces to run programs, to creative fundraising through handmade bracelets, to recently achieving not-for-profit status. She shares how she moved through self-doubt, found support in her community, and kept taking small steps forward before feeling fully confident.

For anyone dreaming of working with young people but feeling uncertain about where to start, Holly's story is full of practical insights and permission to begin before you feel ready. She opens up about building community partnerships, bringing her therapy dog Mrs. Pudding into the program, making programs accessible through free programming, and how her own personal growth journey enabled her to create the safe space she wished she had as a child. This conversation is especially valuable for aspiring youth mentors who want a realistic look at what that first year of building a youth organisation really looks like.

Find the full transcript at https://shinefromwithin.com.au/the-youth-mentor-podcast

Connect with Holly and HeartSpark at https://www.heartsparkwithholly.com

Follow HeartSpark on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/heartsparkwithholly/

Connect on Facebook here: HeartSpark

Connect with Shine from Within on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/shinefromwithinhq/

Ready to start your own youth organisation? Learn more about our Youth Mentor Training at https://youthmentors.shinefromwithin.com.au