Changemakers Academy

A group of people, one man dancing and two men playing drums, in a backyard with a green grassy area, surrounded by a stone and greenery wall.
Group of women sitting in a circle on the floor during a discussion or workshop, some taking notes, in a cozy indoor setting with a large gong on the wall behind them.
A group of women and children seated around a large, U-shaped table in a craft room, listening to a woman in a yellow blazer standing in front of a crafter's bulletin board.
A group of people sitting on the floor in a circle during a meditation or mindfulness session, some sitting on cushions, in an indoor space.
Black and white photo of a young woman with long hair, smiling with her mouth open, wearing a black tank top and jeans. Her arms and neck are tattooed with words like "LOVE," "True Beautiful," "Kind," and "Pace."
Group of people, including children and adults, sitting in a circle on the floor of a bright room with large windows, engaged in a group activity or discussion.
TESTING CAPTIONS
Group of children and adults standing in front of a Food Bank truck in Santa Barbara County on a sunny day.
A young girl with long blonde hair standing on a small platform in a photography studio, having her picture taken by a photographer. The studio has a black backdrop, studio lights, and a large umbrella reflector, with wooden beams on the ceiling and
Group of women and girls sitting on the floor in a circle inside a cozy room, engaged in a discussion or activity, with a large wall hanging and a mirror on the wall.
Two people rappelling down a wooden climbing wall outdoors, wearing helmets and harnesses.
People gathered outdoors near a ropes course with tall wooden poles, trees, and a clear blue sky.
A group of women and girls sitting in a circle on the floor during a discussion or workshop in a bright room.
Group of young girls standing in front of a food bank truck with colorful advertising and logos, sunny outdoor setting.
A group of five women and an adult man smiling for a photo at an outdoor event with chairs and people in the background.
Colorful bouquet of pink, yellow, white, and purple flowers with green leaves in a clear glass vase.
Two young girls smiling and posing outdoors on a patio with greenery, a chalkboard, and garden furniture in the background.
Two women with brown hair, one older and one younger, are writing words on each other's arms with purple marker. The older woman has words like 'BEAUTIFUL' and 'HARDWORKING' written on her arm. They are standing outside on a patio with chairs, a tabl
Group of seven young girls in casual clothing posing for a photo in a photography studio with a black backdrop and professional lighting.
A young girl with shoulder-length hair wearing a white tank top and shorts, with words written on her arms and chest: "FREE," "WOLF," "FIGHT," and "BRAVE." She is looking down, with a slight smile, against a plain background.
Group of women and girls standing outdoors on grass, smiling at the camera during sunny day.
A woven basket containing printed and brown envelopes, colorful pencils, and pens, sitting on a dark surface against a plain white background.
Printed flyers with a teal and yellow graphic asking 'What's Behind the Blue Door?' spread on a brown wooden table, with several copies stacked and arranged in parallel.
A room set up for a meditation or yoga class with 20 chairs arranged in a large circle, each with a sheepskin rug and cushion on the wooden floor.
A man standing on grass in an outdoor setting with traditional drums and small stools behind him, against a background of green foliage.
Mally Chakola and Connie Maday leading a workshop for youth and parents for Spark to Empower in Santa Barbara, Ca.
Group of seven smiling young girls with words written on their arms and faces, posing together in front of a dark background.


Cultivating COMPASSION, CONNECTION, and COMMITMENT to Self and service

Adolescence is hard.

It is often the start of a drift between parents and their tween.

It’s time to change that!

This program strengthens the parent-tween relationship and inspires tweens to embrace their authentic selves.

Do you desire a stronger connection with your child?

Would you like to surround yourself with a supportive community?

Do you enjoy meaningful experiences that support your values?

This program is designed for

  • Female-Identifying girls and non-binary identifying 5th graders & parent or caregiver

  • Future changemakers

  • Parents & caregivers who are committed to raising changemakers who positively impact the world.

  • Parents & caregivers who wish to strengthen the connection with their tween..

Final touches are coming together, this link will be updated soon.

To be the first to know- reach out: cm@sparktoempower.com

Reflections from Changemaker graduates and parents...

  • Changemakers has been such an empowering experience for me. It changed who I am and I gained skills they don’t teach in school. This program has made an impact on my life and has changed the way I think about things.

    Graduate, age 10 | Changemakers Academy

  • My daughter gained confidence in the best way- it came from within. Spark truly lights up each girl’s individuality and therefore independence.”

    Parent | Changemakers Academy

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From the Founder: Where did the spark come from?

There are many things that come between an idea and the reality.

Spark to Empower began as an idea.  

It was during the Covid Pandemic as I was winding down from the day, the rest of my family fast asleep, that the words hatched.  I sat on the floor of our library doing my before-bedtime-things:  foam rolling, drinking my tea, and journaling whatever thoughts that needed to get out- onto paper.  As I was in that mode…my passions birthed something new.

I knew the idea was a collision of supporting our youth and teaching, but in a new way. 

So late that night I sat there playing with words….

I knew it was going to be something to empower. I was imagining fireworks lighting up the sky… but wasn’t finding the right word.

Then all of a sudden in the dark, the lights flickered.  

And I knew instantly - SPARK.  

Yes! 

It was Spark to Empower.  

And just as my favorite book suggests, the idea hatched.  It slowly grew and needed nurturing and other life shifts began to take place.  As ideas collided even more, the changemakers program began to take shape.  

It began when I was looking for something special for myself and my daughter.  The book, PARENT LIKE IT MATTERS: How to Raise Joyful,
Change-Making Girls by Dr. Janice Johnson served as both inspiration and motivation for me to start. When I couldn’t quite find a local program that fit what I was looking for, I asked myself,  Could it be created?  So we did. We built the team and put the pieces in place. Taking a chance to grow the idea, with the vision to: Cultivate compassion, connection and commitment to self and service.  
Creating a wonderful community to share time and experiences in a meaningful way with a goal of empowering others to make a difference, to be the pattern shift we need in the world, especially as women leaders. 

So…

Thank you for those of you who have been a part of the journey - all the IN BETWEEN - the steps between the idea and reality,

I THANK YOU! WE THANK YOU!

And while the vision continues to grow, it is with sincere gratitude that I thank you for your time and dedication to be a part of the Spark to Empower Community. 

xo, Connie

Founder, Spark to Empower

 FAQs

  • This program was designed for parents who are committed to raising changemakers. While not exclusive to a gender, it is intended bring out the best version of ourselves.

    At Spark to Empower we believe in the importance of inclusivity and equity. By providing our children with opportunities to become confident, compassionate and more community oriented, we are hoping to create positive momentum for a greater world.

  • Click to download the program PDF for more about the changemaker course outline of topics and experiences. Upon completion all participants will receive a certificate of completion showing they successfully participated in each module.

  • Each session is unique and the locations are specific to the activity. All sessions will be held within Santa Barbara County.

  • Building lasting connections with self and others requires a safe space. These groups are carefully curated and a deep commitment is essential for it to be impactful. For this reason we will keep the group size small.

  • Fabulous! Click on the connect button and fill out your information and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities.

  • Each duo, parent/ child team is asked to commit to a full year with their mentors. (The commitment is 10 months long. ) After the 10 months you may be invited to enroll in the Leadership Academy and participate in the other Spark to Empower community events.

  • If you have committed to the program, we hope you are able to make the dates, however we understand that things change. If you are unable to attend, you will be missed. Since the experiences are unique and not able to be replicated, we will not be able to make up any missed sessions.

  • The price includes the carefully curated experiences & expert presenters, the mentor coaching, all gifts, the workbook, the Spark to Empower Changemaker gear, session refreshments. This does not include extra add-on sessions that are TBD or overnight stays and travel outside of SB County.

  • Please click to download the 2024-2025 Program Flyer

  • Payment can be monthly or pay in full. Once accepted, your spot will be held when deposit is received.

  • Yes! Please reach out to discuss options. Email directly to cm@sparktoempower.com

  • If the enrollment is open we will email you the forms to complete. Once selected to participate you will be granted access to the members only website where you will find all information for upcoming events and experiences including other resources to enhance the experience.

  • For this in-person Academy, yes. If you are interested in the Leadership Academy for 6th and 7th grade female-identifying girls please check out our page.

    For other programs and special events please view this link.

    Additional opportunities for digital courses and virtual connection is also in process. Please subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay informed with the latest updates.

Contributors

The list of incredible contributors is constantly growing. Listed here are some of our featured presenters. We also work with many of the nonprofits in Santa Barbara County including Direct Relief, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara and others. We continue to build new partnerships to expand our reach.

Please reach out if you are interested in learning about how we can collaborate.

  • Mary Firestone is a well known author, trauma & joy expert and inspirational speaker. She leads inspirational retreats all throughout the world and her essential oil perfumes and other products are popular among Hollywood celebs.

    Mary Firestone is a graduate of Princeton University and has an MA in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. Her first book, Trusting the Dawn: How to Choose Freedom +Joy after Trauma (Sounds True, 2022), according to Dr Joe Dispenza, “is medicine for anyone who wants to free their mind, body, and soul from the past.” Providing others with healing and growth opportunities has been her lifelong passion.

  • Lucia Kiel is an internationally acclaimed and award winning photographer who works to empower women to instill a deep sense of self beauty and worth in all she photographs. Her photography experiences are transformational.

    She is an accredited Portrait Master at the Master level. Born and raised in Santa Barbara, she loves creating art in her mission canyon home studio as well as all around beautiful Santa Barbara. Lucia is married to her soul mate of 17 years and they have two boys together, ages 9 and 6. Lucia and her husband, Dillon, have lived all over the world but decided to settle down in Santa Barbara.

  • Sese grew up in Togo among a community of drum and dance in the city of Lome, Togo (West-Africa). His mother was a national choir celebrity and inspired Sese to use music as a tool of resilience in life. His curiosity towards the polyrhythmic aspects of ethnic music (Ewe culture drumming) led him to learn key music instruments at an early age. It was clear to him that music has many leadership components where collaboration, community building, and the respect for other cultures and traditions exist within most rhythms. He founded and currently leads a West African Drumming group called Ewe Drummers in Santa Barbara.

    “The rhythms and songs of the Ewe people of Togo and Ghana reflect their deep relationship with the land, with the divine, with the ancestors and with each other. As a living tradition, Ewe cultural and spiritual wisdom is not written down and codified in fixed dogma because it reflects the present moment where time and eternity coexist. Ewe songs, rhythms and spirituality can only be understood through participation. By letting go of habitual ways of knowing and seeing, it is possible to discover oneself and the world in new and expanded ways.”

  • Lucy Firestone is a producer, transformation coach, and the co-founder of Firestone Sisters Inc. She has spent over 20 years producing content, experiences, and products to inspire healing, growth and forward movement. Prior to producing on her own (originally in her own deal under Davis Entertainment), Lucy held posts at VH1, New Regency, Sony, and served as the Vice President of Penn Station Entertainment for Fox. Currently, she is producing several projects in various stages of production, curating and leading transformative retreats as the co-President of Firestone Sisters Inc., and overseeing their line of natural perfumes. In her private practice, she consults with both individuals and organizations to advance actualization and hone purpose. A graduate of Princeton University, Lucy has served on the boards of InsideOut Writers and ManifestWorks, taught classes to advance change for incarcerated youth, and continues to create mindfulness workshops for Freedom 4 Youth. As her work in film and personal transformation intersect, Lucy’s mission is always to activate awareness and catalyze positive change. She lives in Santa Barbara with her husband and two young daughters.

  • Renee Stahl is a singer-songwriter whose haunting voice transcends the many genres of music she has covered. She is well regarded in the mainstream music world for her rich melodies, and harmonies, on solo records such as hopeful. romantic. She has collaborated with Europe's top electronic DJs on several trance tracks. However, it’s with the young ones and their families that her indie folk duo Renee & Jeremy has become a household name. Their original lullabies and covers transform classic songs into quiet mantras. In 2016, she released Renee & Friends, a collection of collaborations with notables such as Maya Rudolph, Ziggy Marley, Lisa Loeb, and more.

  • Mally Chakola. Transformative Consulting & Programming for growth mindset individuals and organizations who want to turn their goals into their reality…fast.

  • The Wilderness Outdoor Leadership Foundation 501 (c)(3), founded in 1994, provides outdoor education and leadership programs for over 100 area public and private schools with the curriculum including outdoor science, team building, primitive skills, first aid/CPR, teacher training, corporate retreats, high ropes adventure courses, and summer programs. WOLF employs approximately 40 teachers, facilitators, presenters, and specialists who are committed to providing safe and memorable student experiences.

  • Belle Hahn is a PALMA Colectiva co-founder, ambassador, activist, philanthropist, investor, and wellness enthusiast .

  • Brianna Turpin. Yoga extraordinaire, master yoga teacher trainer, healer, leads healing retreats all around the world, Digital online courses, spend days working one -on -one with individuals who are working on a myriad of healing, presenter at various conferences

  • Palma Colectiva Founder: Meredith Markworth-Pollack has been a Costume Designer For Film + TV for the past eighteen years, designing such shows as Impeachment and Dynasty. However a calling to honor her true nature has led her away from the industry, and toward a holistic and curated approach to wellness. She is currently Reiki III certified and hosting ceremonies, events and retreats. PALMA Colectiva is named after her two daughters Paz and Alma. She currently reside in Santa Barbara, California.

Meet Our Team

Connie Maday, founder of Spark to Empower.

  • An innovative and revolutionary leader in education who values collaboration, creativity, and connection. She worked in elementary education for two decades and founded Spark to Empower in 2023, with the mission to empower our youth to become the changemakers of the world. Connie Maday blends her experience and expertise with heart and purpose. She holds her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from UCSB, her Reading and Literacy Added Authorization from UCSD, has a Masters in Education from UCSB and emphasis in Teaching for Understanding and Visible Thinking through the Wide World Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has participated in Project Zero at Harvard, the Coaching Program at Columbia University and completed the Ally to Accomplice Training of Santa Barbara. She was an integral member of the Strategic Planning Committee for the Montecito Union School District, where she worked as classroom teacher and teacher librarian. Additionally Connie is a certified Pilates Instructor through BASI and has been trained in various coaching modalities, including Neurolinguistic Programming. As a collaborative coach and educational consultant she supports individuals in self-actualization and transformation.

A woman with blonde hair smiling at the camera during a sunset at the beach.

  • Adlee is passionate about supporting young people in their life journey through a holistic lens. She holds her Masters in Group Leadership and Education at the University of San Diego and is a graduate of Cal Poly SLO in Child Development and Psychology. Adlee is a well-known and highly acclaimed volleyball player and was recently the assistant coach for the UCSB women’s volleyball team and prior to that the Graduate Assistant Coach for the University of San Diego’s women’s volleyball team.

A smiling young boy with red hair and blue eyes, wearing a dark blue button-up shirt with small colorful dots, standing against a light-colored wall.

Ethan Maday

Youth Tech Support

A young woman with blonde, curly hair smiling in front of a wooden red wall, wearing a white lace top with black pattern.

  • Ava Jane’s true passion is kids. She loves working with children of all ages! She is the founder and entrepreneur of Sunny Smiles Day Camp, a fun filled camp for young girls. Ava Jane loves to give back to her community and inspire others in any way she can. In addition, she is a CIT for the Hendry’s Jr. Lifeguards program, where she gets to work with kids all summer long. A student of Mrs. Maday’s back in 2017, she is a current student at the AAPLE Academy at San Marcos High School. She loves to lead, learn and help others. She is also a volleyball player and n the mock trial team.

Logo for SPARK, a program to empower changemakers, with a yellow starburst graphic and black and yellow text.

Lyle Dessouky

Youth Leader

Support the Changemakers Program

It takes a village.

Together we have the power to create lasting change. We believe that by strengthening the connection in communities we can have lasting impact on our youth. This program is aimed to ignite the spark in our youth and support the development of young leaders.

Spark to Empower Changemakers is fiscally sponsored by Creative Visions, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that supports creative activists, those that use arts and media to ignite social change.

All donations directly support the development and implementation of the Spark to Empower Changemakers Program.

Logo with red brush strokes and text that reads 'CREATIVE VISIONS'.

“... if we want things to change for the future we have to start with right now, and we must start not only with children but with ourselves.”

- Jaqueline Woodson, Forward to Parent Like it Matters by Dr. Janice Johnson Dias, PhD.

A teal computer screen with a centered white text box showing a message.
Group of children and adults posing for a photo in front of a large wall display about Direct Relief, with the group smiling and standing close together.
The image is blank with a plain white background.

Session photography done by: Tangels Photography Portraits by: Lucia Kiel