By Sunday 
Harnessing Star Power to Tackle Poverty, Addiction, and Mental Health Challenges
A Personal Mission Rooted in Tragedy
Joseph Bell, a Victoria-based director on the board of the Change Space Foundation, has poured his heart into addressing some of society’s most significant issues. For Bell, this mission is deeply personal. The suicides of both his brother and his best friend ignited his passion for making a difference. “That’s my impetus,” he shared during an emotional conversation
A Star-Studded Partnership
Bell’s efforts are bolstered by none other than Mathew Knowles, father of global icon Beyoncé and founder of Music World Entertainment. Knowles serves as board chair for the Vancouver-based foundation. His connection to the organization began seven years ago when he met founder Michelle Falcone, a Vancouver resident and certified integrative life coach. Both shared a commitment to motivational careers, with Falcone focusing on coaching and therapy, and Knowles passionately advocating for breast cancer awareness following his own diagnosis and recovery.
This transformative experience inspired Knowles to join forces with Falcone to launch a nonprofit with the power to address pressing societal issues. “That experience transformed him,” Bell explained, highlighting the passion Knowles brings to the cause.
A Foundation with Big Goals
The Change Space Foundation’s mission is ambitious: tackling North American challenges like poverty, mental health, and addiction by connecting nonprofits with funding and strategic relationships. Its unique access to celebrity networks provides an unparalleled advantage in amplifying its impact.
“We’re in this unique position of having the star power and the reach that we want to leverage to really help because these issues are impacting all of us,” Bell emphasized.
Building Bridges with Hollywood
Bell, who works in the film industry with Michael Levine’s Boundless Media, has utilized his connections to engage stars like Ryan Reynolds and Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger in the foundation’s work. He believes relationships are at the core of the foundation’s success. “Relationships make the whole world go round,” he remarked. The foundation’s efforts enable nonprofits to focus on their missions while Change Space facilitates vital funding and partnerships.
Upcoming Events to Spark Change
The foundation’s first major event, a free Zoom forum titled Lean On Me: The Effects of Loneliness and Isolation on Mental Health, is scheduled for Jan. 23. The event will feature a panel of experts and advocates discussing mental health challenges while introducing the foundation’s leadership team, including Knowles and Falcone.
Looking ahead, the organization’s inaugural Empower Change Together Gala and Silent Auction is set for April 12 in North Vancouver. The star-studded event will raise funds for a collaborative project between Vancouver’s Empower Health and Together We Can, providing critical mental health and addiction support. Honorees include Knowles, platinum artist Bif Naked, UBC president Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, and recovery advocate Guy Felicella.
A Universal Fight
Bell noted the universal nature of the issues the foundation aims to address, highlighting the fentanyl crisis as an example. “There’s no way that you don’t know someone that knows someone that’s affected,” he said. Knowles was particularly moved by this crisis during a visit to Vancouver, further cementing his commitment to the cause. “I think his heart was really open and he really wanted to make a difference,” Bell shared.
Moving Forward with Purpose
The volunteer board is tirelessly working to expand the foundation’s reach and ensure future events are successful. Bell describes their efforts as a labor of love: “We’re doing this on top of what we do and giving it 110 percent. This is an opportunity for us to do something impactful that might be more difficult for other organizations to do.”
With its blend of celebrity influence, heartfelt dedication, and strategic collaboration, the Change Space Foundation is poised to bring meaningful change to communities across North America.