Parachute’s Youth Ambassador projects highlight the commitment of young leaders to enhance road safety in Canadian communities.
Through partnerships with local organizations, school and law enforcement, each initiative addresses key issues such as promoting safe driving, bicycle and pedestrian awareness, and impaired driving prevention. By engaging peers and community members in educational campaigns and activities, these youth are fostering a culture of safety and positive change across Canada.
2024-25 Ambassador projects
In 2024-25, Parachute has awarded grants of $600, plus our support and mentoring, for 18 Ambassador projects. Here are some examples.
Positive tickets and safety education in schools (Trout River, N.L.)
Ambassadors: William Brake and Jorja Pevie
Collaborating with students, school administrators and the RCMP, this project promotes road safety through presentations on the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. Activities include distributing “positive tickets” to reward safe driving behaviors and creating awareness materials such as posters and digital content, empowering youth as leaders and fostering long-term safety habits.
Equestrian safety awareness (Dieppe, N.B.)
Ambassadors: Naomi and Nathanael Buschhau
This unique initiative uses Instagram reels featuring the Buschhaus’s horses, Tia and Cinnamon, to raise awareness about equestrian safety on roadways. The videos provide safety tips for riders and motorists, protecting horses, riders and drivers while fostering understanding among each road user.
Educating communities on impaired driving risks (Ottawa, Ont.)
Ambassadors: Bridget Green and Warner Schaettgen
This project includes a symposium that educates youth and community members in the Champlain region about the dangers of impaired driving. Through discussions, games and events, the initiative empowers individuals to make responsible decisions and advocate for road safety.
Youth voices in municipal transportation planning (Vaughan, Ont.)
Ambassadors: Myles Chan and Julia Galeotalanza
Vaughan’s Transportation Youth Ambassador Program amplifies young adult voices in municipal transportation decision-making, helping city staff understand the transportation priorities of youth. The program supports engagement initiatives developed and delivered by youths to their peers. The program includes two categories: peer-to-peer engagement for youth input, which includes focus group discussions and youth-focused surveys to better inform municipal transportation planning and decision-making. The second aspect is peer-to-peer outreach for youth education, which includes student delivery of program content in their high schools, along with peer-to-peer outreach at city events and community centres across Vaughan.
Promoting ridesharing in urban settings (Toronto, Ont.)
Ambassadors: Aman Samir Ahmed, Muhammad Ali Hafeez, Joshua Lyttle, Jermaine Walters
This project aims to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and mitigate the effects of climate change by making ridesharing more accessible. The initiative involves developing an app that connects people traveling to common destinations in Toronto. By gathering data and raising awareness, these young leaders envision a safer and more efficient urban transportation system.
Advocating for accessible walkways (Brampton, Ont.)
Ambassador: Raj Sagar
This project aims to raise awareness about the challenges seniors and their families face when using manual wheelchairs on walkways surrounding a long-term care home in Brampton. The goal of this project is to advocate for positive change and make walkways more accessible, ensuring that seniors using wheelchairs can navigate them safely.
Enhancing safe cycling on Hamilton trails (Hamilton, Ont.)
Ambassadors: Alexander Depew and Leighton Underhill
This project partners with Golden Horseshoe Cycling Hub (GHCH), a youth mountain biking organization active on trails in Hamilton and the Dundas Valley, where cycling trails intersect with roadways. These crossings lack signage and signals, creating hazardous conditions for both pedestrians and drivers. The project raises awareness of safe crossing practices, integrating safety education into GHCH programs and advocates for safe crossing facilities in the area.
Advocating for safe speeds (Dunedin, Ont.)
Ambassador: Harper Bracken
This project focuses on addressing speeding on a winding section of County Road 9 in Dunedin, where several crashes have occurred, including one that was fatal. Despite the 50 km/h speed limit, vehicles often travel at 80-to-100 km/h. This project aims to engage community stakeholders through discussions that promote safer driving, advocating for measures such as speed feedback signs or automated speed enforcement to improve road safety.
Promoting responsible driving through engagement (Regina, Sask.)
Ambassadors: Avery Struch and Maria Tkachuk
As Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapter co-presidents, these ambassadors raise awareness about the consequences of destructive driving. Their efforts include interactive games, speaking engagements and community events, promoting safer choices and supporting families affected by unsafe driving.
Impaired goggles game day (Regina, Sask.)
Ambassadors: Ryan Clark, Alexander McMurchy, Lily Musleh, Sophie Rheault, and Charlotte Tunison
This project includes a fun event held at these students’ school that combines games such as Mario Kart and obstacle courses with impaired-vision goggles. Through this engaging approach, students learn about the dangers of impaired driving in a safe environment.
Educating peers on the impacts of impaired driving (Regina, Sask.)
Ambassador: Kiara Qureshi
This project will provide peer education to youth who have just recently obtained their driver’s licence. Kiara plans to engage her peers in discussions surrounding the impacts of impaired driving through a variety of simulations, interactive games and personal storytelling.
Bike safety for kids through interactive learning (Calgary, Alta.)
Ambassadors: Daniyaal and Ronaar Qureshi
In partnership with Coded Minds Canada, this project promotes bike safety for Kindergarten to Grade 4 kids in Calgary through hands-on workshops, scavenger hunts and safety-themed games. The initiative includes sharing important safety information and creating lawn signs to promote bike safety in the community, leaving a lasting impact.
Improving infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists (Edmonton, Alta.)
Ambassadors: Elsabeth Gurmesa, Sophie Mohamed, and Elshady Sileshe
This project addresses challenges such as inefficient traffic lights and unsafe winter sidewalks near schools. By advocating for bike lanes, better traffic signals and improved pedestrian accessibility, the initiative ensures safer roadways for students and community members alike.
Debunking myths about impaired driving tools (Vancouver, B.C.)
Ambassador: Eryn Grahn
Partnering with a high school film studies program, local police and MADD Canada, this project uses video storytelling to address common misconceptions about alcohol and drug screening tools. The video will provide accurate information about impairment screening tools while demonstrating the tools in an engaging and fun way to educate the community about impaired driving enforcement.
Addressing risky drivers in school zones (Langley, B.C.)
Ambassadors: Azhar Ahmad and Hasan Siddiqui
This project focuses on improving road safety near R.E. Mountain School in Langley, B.C. Through data collection, advocacy and awareness campaigns, Hasan and Azhar aim to reduce dangerous driving around their school. Key activities include designing informative brochures, distributing reflective wristbands and engaging the community via social media. This initiative aspires to create safer roads and walkways for students and staff while fostering a culture of safety and responsibility.