James has overcome poverty and bullying to become the author of eight books that help other kids with issues he has struggled with. Superheroes Don’t Have Dads explores bullying, self-esteem, single-parent families and making good choices, and I’m Not Brown, I’m Human talks about accepting people of all races. James, 12, has also created annual literacy conference for children. More than 13,000 kids have attended to date and it is still growing. In addition, the Ottawa preteen is writing a book about child abuse that will celebrate the strength of kids in this situation, as well as traveling across Canada to talk to kids about literacy and bullying.

At age 11 Jordyn received a book, Chicken Soup for the Pre-teen Soul, that changed his outlook on life. In the book he read about how children brought into foster care often have few possessions of their own and what they do bring from home usually has to be carried in a garbage or grocery bag. With the belief that “garbage bags are for trash,” Jordyn called the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) in his hometown of Aurora, Ont. and began a campaign to get duffle bags, backpacks and luggage for each child in the care of the York Region Children’s Aid Society. He has also raised funds with his parents to fill the bags with small gifts – something the children could call their own. Now 17 years old, Jordyn is working with his 18th CAS with the goal of bringing new bags and gifts to every child who comes into the care of a Children’s Aid Society in Ontario.

Frederick is a passionate advocate for youth. He has worked as a counselor and mentor for 17 years in detention centres and youth prisons. Most notably, Frederick is the founder of Liberty for Youth. This centre provides tutoring, leadership skills and mentorship to young people who are in custody, in group homes or simply headed down the wrong path in life. To get his message out and raise funds for the centre, Frederick has worked with the community, the Hamilton, Ont. police force and educators. He is raising funds to build a community youth centre that will act as a place of refuge for troubled youth and help them rebuild their lives.

Carla is a teacher in Edmonton who dedicates her summers to helping others and has succeeded in engaging students in social issues and giving them the skills they need to make a difference. For example, she trained 13 junior high students to lead 50 of their peers in activities such as The Ashley Project, a fund-raiser to provide a student with financial support for athletic pursuits and Operation Friendly Neighbour, in which students showed kindness to neighbours whose homes backed onto school property. Carla has also worked with her students to help provide children in India with clean water and life necessities.

Todd is known as the friendliest and most popular police officer in Miramichi, N.B. He believes that youth should be encouraged to take a leadership role in the community and address social issues that affect them such as safety, drunk driving and alcohol abuse. Todd has spearheaded several initiatives such as youth mini-marathons, youth clubs, Teens Against Drunk Driving and implemented a program which has resulted in all police cars in the community now carrying defibrillators. Overall, he has worked with hundreds of youth and taught them that they can make a difference in building a stronger and safer community.