Highlights from STORY TO ACTION 4
We wrapped up the fourth edition of the STORY TO ACTION program working with three wonderful films and executing their impact campaign pilots. This included 22 screenings (21 in person), reaching more than 1,300 people. At 15 of these events, we welcomed guests connected to the films, who added insight and perspective that sparked meaningful dialogue. Each screening was followed by discussions, workshops, or opportunities for issue experts and frontline workers to connect.
Shut Out reached athletes, coaches, and parents with its powerful message on gender equity and mental health in sport. One coach who attended a screening shared, “Motivates me more than ever as a coach to create a safe and inclusive space for girls and women in sport.”
Survey results showed strong impact: 78% of participants said the film introduced them to perspectives they hadn’t encountered before, 59% said they plan to attend more women’s sporting events, and the majority rated the film highly for how it deepened their understanding of both the mental health–sport connection and gender equity in sport.
We Will Be Brave activated four members of the Good Guise positive masculinity group and reached audiences six cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Calgary, St. Albert, and Guelph.
The campaign connected men's mental health advocates in each city, fostering conversations between men’s group organizers and community program leaders to help cultivate healthy masculinity pods nationwide.
86% of participants said they would start conversations to promote safety and support vulnerability for men, and 50% said they would help create a pod of care where their masculine friends could connect emotionally.
YINTAH advanced its goal of building inter-Indigenous nation solidarity through two tours: one across small Northern BC communities and another to Indigenous reserves in Ontario and Quebec. During the tour, Wet’suwet’en member and Gidimt’en wing chief Sleydo’ Molly Wickham was adopted by Anishinaabe elder Judy Da Silva of Grassy Narrows First Nation.
Each year, we are humbled by the immense honour of working with individuals and community organizations on the frontlines of creating healthier, more engaged societies. This year, more than any other, we met people and groups in their own communities, serving local contexts and strengthening SMI’s role as a trusted partner across Canada.
As one screening partner put it, “Bringing attention to these topics in a supportive way is exactly what we need in our community.” Another reflected that SMI “helped build relationships and expand partnerships.” 100% of our screening partners said they would recommend that other organizations partner with Story Money Impact in the future.
And Ryan McAuley from Calgary Counselling Centre summed it up best: “I believe that Story Money Impact is an important organization that is capturing the stories of communities that would not normally have the opportunity to tell them. It is a crucial role.”
