Maddison Tory is a 16-year-old motivational speaker, health advocate, and change maker. She jokes that her biggest accomplishment to date is becoming a HUG Dealer and founder of her own social enterprise called Maddi’s Mission: HUGS, a social enterprise dedicated to improving the quality of life for kids in hospital.
Maddison is a true inspiration and role model for other youth. She uses her HUGS initiative to show other youth how easy it is to make a difference in the world. Her message is “you are never too young and there is no idea too small to make a difference.” This year she became a youth motivational speaker with ME to WE and went on the Canadian WE Day tour speaking at cities across Canada to arenas of up to 20,000 young people at a time. She spoke about HUGS and how if you reach out to mentors and programs, you can transform what you are good at with what you are passionate about, to create a real impact in the world!
Maddison has spoken at dozens of schools (elementary, middle and high school), youth groups and evenings of inspirations across Canada about the importance of students being global citizens, volunteering and how you can make an impact in the world. She teaches the importance of looking beyond yourself and giving back.
Maddison Tory has been recognised with the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts – The Diana Award.
Other Information about Maddison
In addition to HUGS Maddison spends her time volunteering towards causes that impact children with illnesses. She is currently a board member and co-chair on the Children and Youth Advisory Council at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. She is a youth coach for the Special Olympics Rhythmic Gymnastics team. She is a student teacher for a dance class called Dance Without Limits, for children with Cerebral Palsy. She has been a volunteer counsellor at the Heart Transplant Camp. Is an active volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House of Southern Alberta. Maddison is the 2020 Alberta Health services youth health advocate. Currently starring in their youth talking to youth Tik Tok series in an effort to get correct information to Alberta youth regarding Covid-19 and mental health issues.
