» Volunteer Youth in the Millenium

Volunteer Youth in the Millenium

December 19, 1999

As we approach the dawn of the 21st century volunteerism and youth volunteerism in particular, is becoming a national and international issue. Civically committed young people who are prepared to build strong self-sufficient caring communities are the key to our common future.

The goal of the Volunteer Youth in the Millennium (VYM) Project is to encourage more of Ontario’s young people to engage in volunteering, both as a means of fostering caring communities, and as a means of improving school-to-work transitions through career exploration and preparation.

Why a Youth Volunteerism Initiative

Volunteerism in Canada has been a large part of the fabric of our country. Youth volunteerism has played a tremendous role in creating and sustaining vibrant caring communities.

In this era of economic restraint and an increased awareness of the individual’s responsibility to their community, volunteer opportunities for youth play a dual role. By getting involved in meaningful volunteer opportunities youth can articulate and participate in the resolution of pressing community issues. In addition to the obvious benefit of building personal civic responsibility youth can also use these opportunities as a place for career exploration and employment preparation.

Seed funding

In the fall of 1999, the Counselling Foundation of Canada committed to supporting a new youth volunteerism initiative in youth employment centres across Ontario. The Ontario Association of Youth Employment Centres was offered the opportunity to explore this new high-profile program development experience as a way to tap into the capacity of First Work and its members. CFC’s ,000 commitment allows First Work to provide central coordination, fundraising, training and development, and marketing and communications support for the project.

Methodology

This was the first time a project of this nature or magnitude has ever been explored by First Work’s member agencies. First Work’s initiative promotes volunteerism among youth (aged 16 – 25), including outreach to disadvantaged, immigrant and visible minority youth, by creating and implementing comprehensive effective and sustainable volunteer programs that provide youth with meaningful volunteer opportunities.

There are currently 10 VYM sites throughout Ontario. Projects are targeted to in school youth (60%) and out-of-school youth (40%) as well as outreach to disadvantaged, immigrant and visible minority youth.

VYM sites work collaboratively with their local volunteer bureaus, high schools, youth serving organizations and voluntary recreational /cultural sector agencies.

Youth Involvement

Youth play a significant role in all areas of this project. There are opportunities for them to explore leadership and personal development at the Advisory Committees both provincially and at the local site level. Depending on the type of youth volunteer program delivered by the member agency, there are also opportunities for youth to research community issues, determine their area of focus and evaluate the impact of the work they have done.

Provincially, there can be potential internships and student placements in the areas of research, communications/marketing and technology. Locally, some youth can engage in internships and possible summer employment. Of course, the most valuable experience will be the volunteer placement where youth can explore their skills and talents.

Partnerships

The project is an innovative multi-partnered approach to youth volunteerism. In order to ensure that the local sites can create sustainable youth volunteer programs this two-year project has multiple funding partners.

In year one, First Work, on behalf of its involved member agencies, will raise 60% of the costs of program delivery. In year two First Work will raise 40%; from year three forward the local agency is responsible for 100% of the costs.

In order to ensure the success of these projects, avoid duplication and access knowledge of best practices, collaboration is an expected way of doing business. We have, and will continue to actively engage in collaborative networking opportunities.

Unique Approaches

Despite the overall goals for the project, each youth volunteer program will be different. Based on community development principles, each organization in dialogue with their community will decide which kind of youth volunteer program makes the most sense for their community, allowing the entire community to take ownership for the success and sustainability of their local youth voluntarism initiative.

Impacts

Total three year projected impact numbers are:

3200 youth volunteers
64,000 hours of volunteer time
750 voluntary recreational cultural agencies served

Fast Facts on Youth Volunteerism

The volunteer rate among young Canadians has almost doubled to 33% (1997) – the highest rate of any age group – up from 18% in 1987. This age group now accounts for 18% of the total volunteer pool.

66% of unemployed young volunteers surveyed said that they think their efforts will help them find work and 82% said they wanted a chance to use their skills.

25% said that their volunteer position helped them get a job

Where they gave their time: