FIXT POINT Arts & Media (Empathy Squad *VIRTUAL* Audio Storytelling and Podcasting (Winter 2024))

Gather Oral Histories to Foster Empathy and Build your Podcasting Skills! The Empathy Squad is a hands-on, experiential-service-learning opportunity for diverse youth from across Canada aimed at creating meaningful connections and increasing understanding of one another through public engagement, facilitated conversations, active listening and presentation, aimed at capturing and preserving our country’s collective community memory for generations to come. The Empathy Squad program is made possible by the Canada Service Corps.   As a participant, you will:  ✅ Acquire the knowledge and practical skills needed to produce high-quality audio stories – interviewing and recording techniques, narrative shaping, and audio-editing; ✅ Volunteer in service of your community, learn about what’s important to them through active listening and help foster empathy for their lived experiences; ✅ Experience hands-on learning alongside fellow future leaders and from industry professionals across the country.   Program Expectations:  Have a laptop available to you on which you can download and install: Slack (Mac OS / Windows OS), Descript (find system requirements here), Google Chrome, Zoom; Attend scheduled Zoom sessions that consist of live demonstrations, instructional videos and feedback sharing from facilitators, Guest Artists and peers; Apply learnings by conducting interviews, using audio recording equipment, and completing assignments using audio-editing software, Descript; Engage with facilitators and peers using program communication platforms (Slack, Zoom, provided Empathy Squad email address); Commit 10-12 hours a week, including scheduled Zoom sessions and work in your own time.   Application Process: Interested volunteers are asked to fill out our application form here: https://www.fixtpoint.com/empathysquad-apply by November 10, 2023. Cohorts 17 & 18 will run simultaneously from January to March 2024. As a program funded by the Canada Service Corps, applicants must be aged 18 to 30 years at the start of the program, and reside in Canada for the duration of the program. Fill out our application form or find the full program schedule at: https://www.fixtpoint.com/empathysquad-apply