What The Busyhead Project Community Taught Us About Connection

By Dana Hutchings, Co-CEO, Power To Be

The crowd poured into BC Place carrying friendship bracelets, excitement, and anticipation for Noah Kahan's arrival. More than 50,000 people had gathered for a concert.

But what I'll remember most are the conversations.

On Friday, August 28th, Power To Be had the honour of being invited by the Busyhead Project to be one of the charities featured in the Action Village at BC Place, alongside Qmunity and the Urban Native Youth Association. 

We were grateful to share the space with organizations that are creating belonging, connection, and support in their own communities. It was a reminder that there are many paths to helping people feel seen, valued, and less alone.

Throughout the evening, people stopped by our booth in Section 207. Some were curious about Power To Be. Others wanted to share their stories. They talked about their mental health. They talked about the challenges they were navigating and the things that helped them keep moving forward. Again and again, people spoke about nature. About finding peace on a trail, clarity beside the ocean, or perspective under a canopy of trees.

We invited people to share a place in nature that brings them mental clarity, comfort, or support. The answers, written on paper leaves, were beautiful, but what struck me most was the pause.

In the middle of a stadium buzzing with energy, people stopped, reflected, and smiled as they thought about a place that helps them feel grounded. In those moments, we saw exactly what Power To Be sees every day: nature has an incredible ability to support well-being and connection.

What made the evening so special wasn't just the opportunity to share Power To Be with a new audience. It was the audience itself.

Noah Kahan's fans are something special! People stopped by simply to say hello and learn more.

Some shared friendship bracelets, handmade patches, ladybug pins, and other small gifts. The generosity was genuine. The conversations were thoughtful. There was a sense of openness and kindness throughout the entire stadium.

We left BC Place feeling inspired and grateful for the reminder that connection and belonging—through music, nature, and community—have the power to help people feel supported, understood, and less alone.

And on this particular night, that lesson was everywhere we looked.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Busyhead Project for the opportunity to be part of their Action Village and for their generous support of our inclusive nature access programs.