"Lara is one of the most dynamic and passionate women I’ve ever met. Her sharp mind is matched only by her large heart. She is a rare combination of vision and pragmatism which shows in her work in the world. I personally know how dedicated Lara is to being in deep integrity in all that she does be it her personal life or her professional life. She is a generous and thoughtful leader who loves to see others shine."
Portrait of Hala Khouri
Hala Khouri
Co-Founder, Off The Mat Into The World
"Bright, engaging, beautiful, generous and talented Lara Tavares had it all. As a well paid twenty something professional, she was rapidly climbing the corporate ladder. Access to computers had given her so much and opened up a world of possibilities for her and her peer group. She insisted that any child denied this access would face almost insurmountable odds in our new digital world. She ultimately decided that providing computers for under-resourced youth in her community was more important and relevant than her own personal success. That's when she launched Sky's the Limit, to address the Digital Divide and make the impossible, possible for youth in underserved communities."
portrait of Michael Clemons
Mike "Pinball" Clemons
Vice Chairman, Toronto Argonauts Football Club, Co-Founder, Mike “Pinball” Clemons Foundation
"Working with Lara Tavares as a Sky's the Limit Ambassador was a truly humbling experience. She is one of those awe inspiring people who lights up a room the minute she enters it. Her tireless dedication and passion towards helping underprivileged youth makes everyone around her want to do better and be better. It was my absolute pleasure to work with her."
portrait of Lisa Mcphee
Lisa McPhee
Assistant Director, Capgemini North America
"Having worked under Lara for the last 8 years I have learned first hand what it means to give back to your community. Her tireless efforts to build and lead an organization to serve under resourced youth has been an inspiration to me as both a woman and a professional. "
portrait of Caroline McInstosh
Caroline McIntosh
Executive Director, Sky’s the Limit Youth Organization
"Like most people connected to charitable causes, Lara is very committed to making a real difference in other people’s lives. She truly has made it her passion to see Sky’s the Limit grow on a national basis and therefore influence as many lives of underprivileged Canadian kids as possible. She has a very strong business acumen and is also very down-to-earth in terms of her expectations. I find this combination works extremely well in running an organization with such lofty goals. Lara is entirely comfortable, regardless of the role she is in or the cause she is supporting. She is equally adept at making strategic decisions as she is with handling individual situations. She is the consummate “roll up your sleeves and get it done” type of person. "
portrait of Terry Power
Terry Power
Former President, Sapphire Canada Limited, Toronto, Ontario
"Lara Tavares, Founder of Sky's the Limit Youth Organization, is a passionate and innovative philanthropist. Her vision to provide technology to youth across Canada has continued to live on for over a decade, due to her foresight and ambition. Founding an organization from scratch requires a pioneering spirit, as well as a varied and diverse skill set, all of which she brings into everything she does."
portrait of Rema Sinclair
Rema Sinclair
Former Executive Director, Sky’s the Limit Youth Organization
"Lara’s achievements and contributions in helping under resourced children and schools demonstrate the kind of selfless dedication that is seen so rarely in our society today. Lara made a strong impression on me with her openness and strong conviction in her beliefs. Utilizing her intellect, business savvy and big heart, Lara grew a small initiative into what Sky’s the Limit is today. I have seen her inspire the people in her life as well as mine – her energy is quite contagious! Lara’s passionately selfless personality is seen in everything and everyone she touches. I think her greatest gift is her ability to see in all people their incredible potential and I feel that this is what motivates her in her work and personal life. All who are touched by Lara cannot help but be affected by her selfless work."
Portrait of Lisa S. Louie
Lisa S. Louie
Canadian Center for Philanthropy, Toronto, Ontario
"I cannot state strongly enough how wonderful Lara Tavares is and how committed she is to the environment. In refurbishing computers and providing them to at-risk or impoverished youth and communities, Lara and Sky’s the Limit are the very epitome of reuse, recycle and renew. Is there a more clear cut environmental action than this? My husband, Richard Taylor, ran for MP for the Green Party in our riding. We were proud to include Lara and Sky’s the Limit on our list of Green Friendly Organizations."
Marni Schecter-Taylor
Marni Schecter-Taylor
Former Director of Development and Communications, Youth In Motion, Toronto, Ontario
"Pathways to Education and Lara Tavares have built a model that supports the students who are most in need. The opportunity to build and change more lives is of the utmost importance. Students are not just getting a computer from Lara’s organization, Sky’s the Limit, they receive tutoring on how to operate the software and the basic fundamentals on how to put their computer together. Pathways and Lara are uniquely situated and making a difference to the human potential. That is the power of community succession and changing not just one person’s life but communities across Canada."
Portrait of O’Neil Edwards
O’Neil Edwards
Former Coordinator of Mentoring, Pathways to Education Program, Toronto, Ontario
"I am incredibly inspired by my best friend Lara Tavares. She is a true activist who founded an important philanthropic youth organization in Toronto, Canada called Sky's The Limit. Watching her cause being embraced in the philanthropic world taught me so much about the power of one woman's passion and dedication. She has become my mentor, and one of my biggest supporters. In many ways, she is the opposite of me, yet we balance each other on so many levels. We want the same thing - to serve humanity."
Portrait of Natasha Jean-Bart
Natasha Jean-Bart
CEO and Creative Director at WÄTTSSOUL INC
"Lara’s innovative leadership has not only impacted the lives of the youth that she has served through Sky’s the Limit, but also those who were part of the team. It was through Lara’s invitation to become a part of STL’s team that I was able to experience the joy of what it means to serve others. Lara’s dedication and commitment have provided access to the digital world for those who would not have been able to access it for themselves. As many who know Lara would say, I am proud to call her my mentor and a friend who has led me to places beyond my wildest imaginations."
Portrait of Grace Han
Grace Han
Former STL computer recipient, Administrative Assistant, Junior Project Coordinator, Project Coordinator and Administrator
"My name is Brittiany, and I am an honour roll student attending Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario! I am currently in my last year of high school and intend on graduating with double honour. However, my educational journey has been a trying one, as I am currently without a computer. I have struggled on numerous occasions trying to find different ways to access a computer, just so I wouldn't lose any marks because my work wasn't typed. I have also not been able to keep up with many class assignments, and have been at a disadvantage when I am assigned a task, as these tasks all require a computer. I have now also come to the realization that university is not going to be any easier than high school and in fact, having a computer is a definite must for all students. I cannot imagine not having access to a computer for my future endeavors as an athlete, mediator, singer, poet, and so much more. As our world becomes more and more dependent on technology, it is evident that eventually I would have been left behind while attempting to hand write my work. STL has given me a tool that has played a large role in being the first in my family to attend university and make my family proud. My heart is filled with gratitude."
Brittiany was the 2000th recipient of a Sky's the Limit laptop on April 9th, 2010
Pictured with Kim Thomas (left) and Rema Sinclair (right).
