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Our Vision

Our vision is to fully engage society in promoting and encouraging positive and sustainable community culture.

Extraordinary

Programs for Positive Changes

Our goals

  1. Expand Opportunities for Youth and Families:
    • Leadership and Mentorship: We strive to enhance educational and professional opportunities for youth and families by creating solidarity spaces, developing youth-led programming, and addressing mental health. Our programs provide safe environments where individuals can grow, learn, and thrive.
    • Solidarity Spaces: Our solidarity spaces are designed to focus on mental health, peer mentoring, skill-building in areas such as small business development and leadership, and financial literacy. These spaces help participants plan for their futures with confidence and support.
  2. Promote Intergenerational Collaboration:
    • Storytelling and Cultural Identity: We seek to expand intergenerational dialogue to resolve cultural tensions, affirm cultural identities, and address the challenges of maintaining cultural identity while integrating to U.S. norms. Our programs encourage understanding and mutual respect across generations.
    • Advocacy and Integration: We facilitate smoother integration into the community for immigrants, refugees, and third-culture kids by providing them with the support they need, including cultural brokers and mentors who help them navigate their new environment.
  3. Enhance Economic Wellness and Skill Development:
    • Sewing Program: Our sewing program offers hands-on classes in sewing, upcycling, and alterations, providing participants with the skills they need to achieve financial independence. Participants can apply for a free sewing machine and showcase their work in fashion shows, opening up new career pathways in the fashion industry.
    • Financial Classes: In partnership with community organizations, we offer comprehensive financial education, covering various aspects of financial independence. These classes are designed to enhance economic stability and help participants make informed financial decisions.
  4. Foster Art and Self-Expression:
    • Indian Fabric Painting Classes: Participants learn the basics of fabric painting, connecting them to art, culture, and creativity. This program offers a therapeutic outlet and a way to explore new artistic techniques.
    • Street Art Program: We foster an appreciation for visual and performing arts by installing community murals and street art, providing youth with a platform for artistic self-expression. The program also educates the community on different art forms and offers workshops and volunteer opportunities.
    • Intro to Multimedia Art: This program introduces students to various art forms, such as color theory, gradient, perspective, and watercolor. Through this 8-week class, participants develop foundational art skills and complete a final project that is showcased within the community.
  5. Build Networks and Community Engagement:
Community Engagement: We are dedicated to developing and adapting culturally responsive approaches to community issues. Our programs include hosting affordable events, providing artistic opportunities, and promoting self-expression and interaction among community members.

Our
Board Members

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Liyah Babyan

Liyah is a dedicated social entrepreneur with a passion for giving back to her adoptive community and country. She was 10 when she came to the U.S, being put in Twin Falls by CSI after having to leave her hometown, Armenian, because of a devastating earthquake that left hundreds of thousands dead and injured. She graduated from Twin Falls High School in 2002 and attended at Southern Oregon University. There, she earned her associates in military science philosophy and her  bachelors in international science, as well as political science. Liyah then went to College of Southern Idaho, worked for her associates in Latin and Western History. She's currently back in school to become a human rights lawyer! 

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Winnie Christensen

Born in Kenya, now living in Twin Falls, is Winnie, the owner and founder of Culture For Change a non profit that works with women, girls and local youth by empowering them to become passionate, focused and successful advocates of the community to create a positive change. She is  a cultural storyteller, speaker, a board member of the Magic Valley Arts Council, assisted in co-created the City of Twin Falls first Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the former director of Miss Africa Idaho for 6 years, a proud Rotarian, and a wife and a mother to three boys. Her ultimate goal with this foundation is to show people we are not that different, but with the differences each of us do have, we need to recognize and love them. Winnie states with care, "Your life matters, make it count. Live to inspire and support those around you and be mindful of how you make people feel because life is a chain reaction."

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Bernadette Nyriabariyanga

Bernadette Nyirabariyang was born in Ruhengeri Prefecture in northern Rwanda. She moved to Boise, ID in 1995 and graduated in 2007 from Borah highschool and continued on to college where she attended University of Idaho and joined a sorority she that solidified Bernadette's love of philanthropy and community engagement. In 2012, she started a position with the City of Boise in the Parks and Recreation department and the Treasure Valley YMCA, Downtown Branch to continue and expand her community involvement
which led to working for Ballet Idaho 2015-2017. In 2017 Bernadette met Winnie Christensen and she became assistant program director of Miss Africa Idaho. Since 2019, Bernadette has been a member of the Global Village Festival, which 
promotes the diverse cultures in Idaho. Bernadette is excited to be part of the Cultural for Change foundation and can't wait to see the impact it has on the world. 

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Jacqueline Kavila

Dr. Jacqueline  Kavila  moved to Idaho from Meru, Kenya. She obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from Idaho State University College of Pharmacy.  She enjoys serving the community in her role as a pharmacist both in the community and hospital.   Jacqueline became interested in pharmacy after she spent most of her high school summers working at a pharmacy in Meru, Kenya. 

When Kavila is not working, she enjoys discovering hiking trails, walking, travelling and spending time with her family.

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Breean McKinney

Breean McKinney was born and raised on a ranch in Salmon, Idaho. After graduating at the top of her class, she went on to obtain her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Idaho State University, then later strove to earn her M.B.A. Active in the philanthropic community, she regularly engages in the organizing and carrying out of multiple fundraisers, galas and events every year across throughout the Treasure Valley and beyond. She's served in Many non-profit roles ranging form child welfare to domestic violence awareness to education and equal access. She enjoys connecting people and organizations in the community, linking them together to form powerful, collaborative alliance. 

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Paige Wiscombe

Paige Wiscombe is a business manager of the women Ignite International teams. She  has been a growing leader in the Treasure Valley for the past four years through her own adventures with entrepreneurship, as well as with Women Ignite. Outside of being all this, Paige consults many businesses and entrepreneurs on systems, platforms and procedures to help them succeed and to scale upward and outward with growth. She has a passion for diversity, world travel, fitness, the outdoors and creating value and significance everywhere she goes, both personally and professionally. Paige resides in Nampa, Idaho, with her two dogs Ellie and Emerson.

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© 2024 Culture for Change Foundation. Created by Mindingo.

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