Summary

• Rise Up! began as a pilot project in 2023. PHABC is pleased to launch the program across the province.
• Rise Up! is now welcoming applications from interested youth volunteers and host organizations across British Columbia.
• To learn more about Rise Up! please see the website here: https://riseup-phabc.ca.

Victoria, B.C., June 16, 2025 –  The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) is pleased to announce the launch of our much-anticipated program: Rise Up! Strengthening Food Systems and Environmental Stewardship, which is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Canada Service Corps.

“Our program supports youth to engage in meaningful, place-based service that reflects their values and passions —from community gardening and food justice to environmental action and land stewardship,” said Lauren Bernardi, the Rise Up! Provincial Manager. “For many, caring for land, water, food, and community is part of a deeper responsibility rooted in culture, kinship, and survival. Our passionate Rise Up! Team at PHABC believes that when young people lead with heart, knowledge, and connection, communities grow stronger.”

Rise Up! is now welcoming applications from interested youth volunteers and host organizations across British Columbia.  Rise Up! is a youth-centered program that connects young people aged 15–30 across British Columbia with hands-on opportunities made possible through dedicated partnerships with local businesses and organizations to support food systems and environmental stewardship in their communities.

“Youth volunteerism is more than just community service —it’s an investment in the leaders of tomorrow,” said Richard Han, PHABC’s Senior Director of Public and Planetary Health. “When young people engage in meaningful volunteer work, they gain skills, build confidence, and develop a lifelong commitment to civic responsibility. Empowering youth to contribute lays the foundation for a more compassionate, resilient, and inclusive future.”

Rise Up! began as a pilot project in 2023 —a seed planted in service, community, and connection to land. Today, that seed has grown into a thriving, multi-year initiative cultivating youth leadership in food systems and environmental stewardship across British Columbia. 

“Rise Up! Will help about 140 young people from British Columbia take part in Canada Service Corps funded volunteer opportunities,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario. “Youth will learn from local food systems experts, give back to their communities through environmental stewardship, and will have a better idea of the strong careers available in the farming or agriculture industry.”

Over the next two years, from 2025-2027, Rise Up! will support:

• 145 youth volunteers in meaningful, flexible service placements with community food organizations across BC.
• Roughly 70 youth per year will take part in placements that match their interests and passions, with a focus on engaging equity-deserving and under-served communities, including Indigenous, newcomer, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and youth living with disabilities or in rural and remote areas.

“We recognize that volunteering is a privilege, and that experience can be a central factor for youths’ career trajectory. The incredible Food Systems team at PHABC is actively working towards making that experience more equitable for all youth across the province,” said Dr. Shannon Turner, PHABC’s Executive Director. “The province’s food systems industry could truly benefit from investing in youth volunteers through hands-on learning and mentorship, while receiving valuable support and fresh perspectives to grow their initiatives.”

18.4% of Canadians live in food-insecure households, including 1.8 million youth under 18. To address this crisis, we need all generations involved, especially youth. At PHABC, we believe that engaging young people through education, empowerment, and volunteer opportunities is critical for a sustainable food future that leaves no one behind. In our Rise Up! pilot project, 97% of participants reported a stronger connection to their local food system, with increased understanding of food security issues and how to take meaningful action in their communities. Programs like Rise Up! demonstrate how youth engagement can build the knowledge, skills, and leadership needed to strengthen local food systems and advance food security.

Contact Information

For media inquiries, please use the following contact information.

Selenna Ho
Communications Director
Public Health Association of BC
communications@phabc.org

Richard Han
Senior Director, Public and Planetary Health
Public Health Association of BC
director.cefs@phabc.org

Lauren Bernardi
Provincial Manager
Rise Up!
rise.up@phabc.org