Community Engagement, Service & Real-World Impact Initiative

SPARK is Ember Rising’s flexible community engagement and service initiative, designed to both welcome new participants and serve as a full-circle pathway for youth and young adults who have completed Ember Rising programs. SPARK connects people to meaningful service, humanitarian efforts, and disaster response while turning learned skills into real-world action.

As an entry point, SPARK offers accessible opportunities for youth, young adults, and community members to engage in service,
collaboration, and local impact. As a capstone experience, SPARK allows participants who have completed NOVA, Ursa’s Echo, and Twila Animal Sanctuary to apply the skills they’ve developed in real-life situations that support local and disadvantaged communities.

A Full-Circle Initiative
SPARK reflects the full journey of Ember Rising’s programming.

Participants entering SPARK may come with skills developed through:

NOVA – Life Skills & Wellness
Youth build:

• Emotional intelligence and self-awareness

• Stress management and mindfulness skills

• Communication and decision-making abilities

• Personal confidence and resilience
   

In SPARK, these skills are applied through teamwork, leadership, and navigating real-world service environments.

Ursa’s Echo – Creative Expression & Collaboration
Participants develop:

• Confidence in self-expression

• Collaboration and group leadership

• Public engagement and storytelling

• Discipline, commitment, and accountability
   

Through SPARK, these skills translate into community collaboration, outreach, and creative problem-solving in service settings.

Twila Animal Sanctuary – Compassion & Responsibility
Participants learn:

• Ethical care and stewardship

• Empathy and responsibility

• Crisis awareness and calm decision-making

• Service rooted in compassion
   

In SPARK, these values guide humanitarian work, community response, and support for vulnerable populations.

Applying Skills in the Real World
SPARK creates opportunities for participants to “graduate” from learning into doing—applying life skills, creativity, and compassion in real-world contexts. Through partnerships with local organizations, nonprofits, and relief efforts, SPARK supports humanitarian initiatives, community service projects, and disaster response work alongside trusted partners.
Young adults from Ember Rising programs and adults seeking purposeful engagement work together to support communities through action, collaboration, and service.

Key Program Features
Flexible Entry & Leadership Pathway
SPARK welcomes new participants while also serving as a next-step experience for those who have completed Ember Rising programs.
Community Partnerships & Humanitarian Support
The initiative allows Ember Rising to partner with and support other organizations engaged in local service, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief.

Real-World Skill Application
Participants apply learned skills in live environments, building confidence, leadership, and a deeper sense of purpose.

Get Involved with SPARK
Learn. Serve. Apply. Rise.
Whether you’re joining SPARK as your first connection to Ember Rising or as a graduate ready to apply your skills in the real world, SPARK offers a pathway to meaningful impact. Together, we turn learning into action and compassion into community change.