From Being Inspired to Doing Uplifting: How We Came to Be

Written by Jennifer Tkach

Most of us have ideas and goals, we have aspirations for creating something bigger than ourselves; the founders of Inspired 2 Uplift are no exception, except they take it one step forward.   

Adian Gibbons, Ali Azhar, and Farzan Ustad were just a semester short of completing their eleventh year of high school. Close friends since their early years, together they attended MacNeill Secondary School of Richmond, British Columbia, and were set to graduate in the summer of 2023. A year earlier, around April 2022, was when their journey would be set in motion, and where our story begins. Throughout their time at the school, they came to recognize a significant disconnect with the students from the Life Skills Program. This program was designed to support and assist students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, addressing a broader gap between youth in general and youth with disabilities. The Life Skills Program is practiced at under a dozen locations in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, a number the group undoubtedly hoped to improve. Despite the existence of the program, whose goal was to minimize the gap, the three still managed to feel a prolonged disconnection, prompting them to take action. They began by brainstorming concepts, spending much time considering what could be done to bridge the gap. 

The organization started as a school club hosted by the three, something they carefully balanced between maintaining a strong student work ethic, and the stressful process of university applications. Initially named Mission Unstoppable, the three boys had begun working hard to close this gap. Through their continued hard efforts and relentless aspiration, they began to see a significant amount of school engagement with their club, as well as receiving unparalleled encouragement from the school community and their families. All of this support had prompted them to make the decision to expand their club into a non-profit organization, a commendable decision made once the group had completed their final year at MacNeill Secondary. Farzan Ustad, one of the three founders of Inspired to Uplift, discussed how the journey from beginning to present has been a “rollercoaster”, where although they poured in tremendous amounts of effort and energy, there were still moments of doubt and concern which existed. Despite worrying about whether or not the company would succeed, the three of them turned a blind eye on those worries, continuously striving to bring their mission to life, persevering any dilemmas they would come to face. Farzan had also commented that this stress was to be expected, seeing as they were creating “something so unique”, and how they have nonetheless done their best to get the company to where it is today.  

Mission Unstoppable maintained the focus of raising awareness around people with disabilities, however as the name suggests, they did not stop there. Mission Unstoppable transformed into Inspired 2 Uplift, with the same focus remaining, but with the newfound addition of support systems for students with disabilities. Having just completed high school, the group had a newfound sense of maturity which paved the way to constructing a strong and determined organization. Inspired 2 Uplift  presented a unique opportunity to connect the divide through what they call the Buddy Program. This program was created with the intention of providing continued resources and support to students with disabilities, doing so in an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. As its name suggests, students are partnered up with a trained buddy, whose goal is to relay the support and resources, successfully bridging that gap while being of significant guidance to students with disabilities. Initially implemented at MacNeill Secondary, the drive and determination between the founders would extend to Richmond Secondary, and even scratching the surface with American partnerships, through Fruita Monument High School, located in the state of Colorado. They continue to strive for global impact and recognition, and are on the road to accomplishing this through the expanding of the company, Richmond Secondary and Fruita being the first of many extensions. 

Outside of the Buddy Program, Inspired 2 Uplift continuously grants others with opportunities to join the organization, to contribute to the mission. Their team consists of many students, both secondary and post-secondary, whose values align, students who want to participate in an important initiative. From directorial positions in numerous fields, to president, buddy, and planner positions, the non-profit utilizes the passion found amongst students, creating the same inclusive and welcoming environment between the team as is done with the Buddy Program. Students at other schools are also granted the ability to join, with the Start a Chapter initiative, essentially prompting and giving students the opportunity to bring a branch of the organization to their own schools, and even going as far as offering personalized emails, funds, and other necessary resources to help in branching. Another aspect created includes I2U Connections, one which focuses on collaboration and continued unity, whether it be through team building workshops, interactive training activities, and numerous other collaborative opportunities. Inspired 2 Uplift additionally demonstrates exceptional media literacy, creatively implementing the usage of social media and a uniquely crafted website, making them not only engaging to all audiences, but additionally making them easy to contact and locate. For instance, their website includes not only what a typical site would include about their organization, such as the story, meeting the team, and a mission statement, but goes as far as presenting a detailed job board, as well as step-by-step instructions in terms of contributing to the mission of Inspired 2 Uplift. 

All in all, Inspired 2 Uplift is a young and thriving organization, one with increasing potential. Combined with dedicated, passionate founders with an equally hard working team, the organization is a testament to young students all over the world, illustrating to them that any dream is worth chasing, that any passion is worth pursuing. Far from over, Inspired 2 Uplift is a story that is only just beginning. 

Works Cited

“Life Skills (LS).” Vsb, www.vsb.bc.ca/page/5090/life-skills-ls.

“Richmond Students Launch Program to Help Peers with Disabilities.” Richmond News, 29 Aug. 2023, www.richmond-news.com/local-news/richmond-students-launch-program-to-help-peers-with-disabilities-7473065.