Media advisory: Minister Piruzza to issue challenge to first cohort of young innovators at Studio Y, MaRS' youth impact and leadership academy

TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - The Hon. Teresa Piruzza, Minister of Children and Youth Services, will announce a Minister's Challenge to the inaugural Studio Y cohort during an event at MaRS on Wednesday, January 15 at 10:30 a.m.

The event introduces the first cohort of Studio Y: Ontario's Youth Social Impact and Leadership Academy. The Minister's Challenge will consist of a specific leadership task for the cohort to tackle; details will be unveiled at the event.

Twenty-six young people from across Ontario have been selected to participate in the program, offered through MaRS, which began on January 6, 2014.

Studio Y prepares exceptional young people, ages 18-29, for success in an increasingly complex world. It includes nine months of intensive training and mentoring to strengthen participants' leadership, social innovation and entrepreneurial skills and spur social change in their communities across the province.

A new cohort will be selected annually for each of the program's five years, helping more than 120 talented young leaders to realize their potential. Studio Y participants will each receive $25,000 in direct financial assistance, including a living stipend and follow-on alumni supports. The program is made possible through support from the Government of Ontario.

What:	Announcement of Studio Y inaugural cohort
When:	Wednesday, January 15, 10:30-11:00 a.m. (Minister and Studio Y participants available for media interviews following event)
Where:	MaRS Discovery District, 101 College Street, CR-3.

For more information about Studio Y, visit the Studio Y website.

About MaRS
MaRS Discovery District (@MaRSDD) is a mission-driven innovation centre located in Toronto. MaRS works with partners to catalyze, accelerate and amplify innovation. MaRS supports entrepreneurs building Canada's next generation of growth companies. MaRS' ventures have created over 4,000 jobs and, in the last three years alone, they have raised over $750 million in capital and earned over $375 million in revenue.

 

SOURCE: MaRS Discovery District

Melissa Hughes
Manager, Media & Community Relations
MaRS Discovery District
[phone]
[email protected]