"Her Dream" represents any women in your life: mom, friend, grandma, sister, neighbor, fitness instructor, boss, aunt, fellow employee or little girl across the street with a dream. It also represents the women you don't know: your bank teller, grocery clerk, gas attendant, lawyer, police officer or waitress who also, has a dream. The fact is we all have dreams. It's just that some people live them out for the whole world to see and acknowledge, like a Singer, Actress, Teacher, Designer, Politician, Hair Stylist, Entrepreneur or Mother. Some people silently wish them but never actually verbalize them, like climb Mount Everest, learn a new language, visit a different country, have your own talk show, or go to college. And some people have shared their dreams and even attempted them, but were discouraged by so many people that they now live in a safe zone. A place where they believe that if you never dream, then you never fail and you never get hurt.
"Next Door" represents any place that puts you in close proximity to those people: your house, cubicle at work, a bench at the park, bar stool at a club, check out line at the grocery store, a rally, an elliptical machine, scrap booking class, mom's group or hair salon. It also represents that fact that you never really know what's going on in the life of someone next to you until you take the time to find out. Maybe your next-door neighbor has a dream to learn Spanish and you speak it fluently. Or maybe you yourself have a dream to run in a race and the personal trainer down the street is a seasoned marathoner and could run with you a few days a week, or at least give you tips. The point is, we are not islands. We are not meant to coast through life hoping to "happen" upon our dreams. We are meant to pursue them and at the very least, attempt them. And we are meant to help, support, encourage and believe in one another along the way.
I was sitting at my breakfast island one morning, sipping coffee and tossing around names and ides that I thought would represent the organization. One word led to another, then another, and I literally stumbled upon the words "Her Dream Next Door," while thinking about the numerous women who live on either side, down the hall, above and below me in my condo complex.
No, Her Dream Next Door Foundation is a non affiliated non-profit organization registered in Canada, and governed by its independent board of directors as well as applicable Canadian laws. For information on governance, accountability or other questions relating to
hdnd please
contact us.
- To use our events to get people volunteering, attending and supporting other women in the pursuit of their dreams.
- To build a community where it's about helping each other rather than competing with each other
- To play middleman for those needing support by introducing them to those who can give support and to provide those who want to learn with opportunities to learn
- To continuously initiate new events where we see a need and by where we can do something to address it
- To start a movement where it's about asking what we can do to help each other rather than what we can do to one up each other
The Amber Affair is an annual event geared to females of various ages who have chosen careers in the independent artistic scene. Singers, Songwriters, Industrial designers, Painters, Jewelers, Handbag and other such designers come together to encourage each other in their personal endeavors in the various creative industries. It also raises awareness to these specified industries by providing a platform where the song can be sung, the voice can be heard, the design can be seen and the support can be shared. But above all, it's an event where the artists can network with each other to learn and grow together by displaying their talents to the community.
» full details
Girlfriend Affair is an annual event geared to helping girls aged 12-17 meet women in various professions who can instruct, inspire and educate them on potential fields of study. It's also an event that addresses the pressures and struggles that girls their age face, such as, self-esteem and body image issues, substance abuse, depression, teenage promiscuity, and physical abuse. As well, it teaches them the importance of education, financial responsibility, good work ethic, confidence and choice vs. consequence. But above all, it's an event geared to help them network with other girls of similar age, interest and who might be struggling with the same things and to help them meet other organizations that can in turn, help mentor them to make smart and healthy life choices.
» full details
Please see the
Get Involved section for more information.