The Changemaker Connect Dojo - Online

When you give to the Andrea J Scholarship Fund, your donation directly provides a full or part scholarship for a young person to take part in The Changemaker Way™ or for a parent to complete A Course in Raising Changemakers™. These scholarships cover all or part of the full program fee — making it possible for teens, young adults, and parents who may not otherwise have access to join this transformational journey. This is more than funding a program — it’s opening the door for clarity, confidence, and authentic connection. It’s giving young people the tools to live as their true selves and giving parents a new way to guide, support, and even create an income by becoming Changemaker Educators. We are building a legacy where families communicate with Changemaker Communication — rooted in love, not fear — so deeply that the skills of connection and understanding are lived in the home, for generations to come. The Story Behind the Fund The Andrea J Scholarship Fund was inspired by Young Changemakers, a movement created by Linda Johnstone and her daughter Andrea — and how their story became one with mine. At the heart of our shared story is the turtle — a symbol of resilience, hope, and advocacy. Andrea and Linda’s Story — Saving Turtles, Saving Lives After a traumatic high school experience, Andrea reached a point where life felt unbearably heavy. Even experienced mental health professionals found it difficult to help. Linda overheard Andrea sharing with a friend her deep concern for endangered sea turtles in Costa Rica. Later, Linda brought it up with Andrea, and the two began talking about what it meant to her. That conversation was a turning point — not simply because of the turtles, but because Andrea was seen and heard for something that genuinely mattered to her. She didn’t get to Costa Rica, yet she began to make a difference closer to home in New York — supporting war veterans, feeding the homeless, and showing that being a changemaker is about living authentically and acting with purpose. Andrea’s siblings also shifted direction after investing in education paths that didn’t fit who they were. This reinforced Andrea and Linda’s belief that young people need space, guidance, and the right tools to discover what they truly want to do before they commit their time, energy, and resources. My Family's Story — Rediscovering Joy in Learning My journey as a mother of two sons began with a commitment to allow them be themselves. My eldest, diagnosed with autism, struggled to write in school. His teacher saw resistance; I saw a different rhythm. In our first week of homeschooling, he taught me something profound: he wanted to draw to meet the characters and create the environment before writing about it all. My younger son’s teacher said he couldn’t focus. At home, I found he could — just not on the conventional curriculum. What began as a seven-month experiment to build confidence became a lifestyle focused on discovery, joy and purpose in learning. Drawing from decades of experience in authentic communication, I created Changemaker Mums, supporting other mothers to empower their teens with love, authenticity, and collaboration. How Our Paths Intertwined and Aligned In 2020, I searched for the name Changemaker Teens and found Linda’s story. She was in New York, I was in Queensland, and our visions matched perfectly. We connected and quickly realised our work belonged together — hers in purpose, mine in communication and alternative education. We merged our efforts into Changemaker Teens Global. As Linda’s children became young adults, she launched Young Changemakers, making it easier for people of all ages to give their time, talent, and treasure to causes they care about. I continued with Raising Changemaker Teens, guiding parents and educators to help young people live authentically in alignment with their vision, communicate with love, and thrive. Through it all, the turtle has remained part of both our brands — a reminder that even in the face of challenges, we rise. Your Gift Creates Change When you support the Andrea J Scholarship Fund, you: - Provide a full or part scholarship for a young person to complete The Changemaker Way™ or for a parent to complete A Course in Raising Changemakers™. - Help a young person gain clarity, purpose, and the tools to live authentically. - Give parents with a passion for the next generation the chance to create an income as Changemaker Educators. - Contribute to a global legacy where families communicate with love, not fear, so every young person is seen, valued, and ready to make a difference. Join us. Your gift changes lives — for the young people finding their way, for the parents guiding them, and for the legacy we are building together.

When you give to the Andrea J Scholarship Fund, your donation directly provides a full or part scholarship for a young person to take part in The Changemaker Way™ or for a parent to complete A Course in Raising Changemakers™. These scholarships cover all or part of the full program fee — making it possible for teens, young adults, and parents who may not otherwise have access to join this transformational journey. This is more than funding a program — it’s opening the door for clarity, confidence, and authentic connection. It’s giving young people the tools to live as their true selves and giving parents a new way to guide, support, and even create an income by becoming Changemaker Educators. We are building a legacy where families communicate with Changemaker Communication — rooted in love, not fear — so deeply that the skills of connection and understanding are lived in the home, for generations to come. The Story Behind the Fund The Andrea J Scholarship Fund was inspired by Young Changemakers, a movement created by Linda Johnstone and her daughter Andrea — and how their story became one with mine. At the heart of our shared story is the turtle — a symbol of resilience, hope, and advocacy. Andrea and Linda’s Story — Saving Turtles, Saving Lives After a traumatic high school experience, Andrea reached a point where life felt unbearably heavy. Even experienced mental health professionals found it difficult to help. Linda overheard Andrea sharing with a friend her deep concern for endangered sea turtles in Costa Rica. Later, Linda brought it up with Andrea, and the two began talking about what it meant to her. That conversation was a turning point — not simply because of the turtles, but because Andrea was seen and heard for something that genuinely mattered to her. She didn’t get to Costa Rica, yet she began to make a difference closer to home in New York — supporting war veterans, feeding the homeless, and showing that being a changemaker is about living authentically and acting with purpose. Andrea’s siblings also shifted direction after investing in education paths that didn’t fit who they were. This reinforced Andrea and Linda’s belief that young people need space, guidance, and the right tools to discover what they truly want to do before they commit their time, energy, and resources. My Family's Story — Rediscovering Joy in Learning My journey as a mother of two sons began with a commitment to allow them be themselves. My eldest, diagnosed with autism, struggled to write in school. His teacher saw resistance; I saw a different rhythm. In our first week of homeschooling, he taught me something profound: he wanted to draw to meet the characters and create the environment before writing about it all. My younger son’s teacher said he couldn’t focus. At home, I found he could — just not on the conventional curriculum. What began as a seven-month experiment to build confidence became a lifestyle focused on discovery, joy and purpose in learning. Drawing from decades of experience in authentic communication, I created Changemaker Mums, supporting other mothers to empower their teens with love, authenticity, and collaboration. How Our Paths Intertwined and Aligned In 2020, I searched for the name Changemaker Teens and found Linda’s story. She was in New York, I was in Queensland, and our visions matched perfectly. We connected and quickly realised our work belonged together — hers in purpose, mine in communication and alternative education. We merged our efforts into Changemaker Teens Global. As Linda’s children became young adults, she launched Young Changemakers, making it easier for people of all ages to give their time, talent, and treasure to causes they care about. I continued with Raising Changemaker Teens, guiding parents and educators to help young people live authentically in alignment with their vision, communicate with love, and thrive. Through it all, the turtle has remained part of both our brands — a reminder that even in the face of challenges, we rise. Your Gift Creates Change When you support the Andrea J Scholarship Fund, you: - Provide a full or part scholarship for a young person to complete The Changemaker Way™ or for a parent to complete A Course in Raising Changemakers™. - Help a young person gain clarity, purpose, and the tools to live authentically. - Give parents with a passion for the next generation the chance to create an income as Changemaker Educators. - Contribute to a global legacy where families communicate with love, not fear, so every young person is seen, valued, and ready to make a difference. Join us. Your gift changes lives — for the young people finding their way, for the parents guiding them, and for the legacy we are building together.