Youth Can ChangeTheWorld
Written by: Sharon Clark-Koufis, Marketing & Communications Manager, Volunteer MBC
It has been said that youth are the future of our communities. The role that community service organizations have with regards to engaging youth in volunteer activities is vital. Many studies have been done to determine what motivates youth to volunteer, and while completing their high school requirement for community hours is a main factor, many other benefits come to the surface.
Volunteer MBC’s most recent volunteer survey indicated that 70% wanted to learn new skills, close to 50% wanted to make new friends, and a quarter of the respondents wanted to qualify for scholarships. There are also a number of health benefits resulting from volunteering; with close to 20% of respondents indicating that they saw an improvement in their mental health and well-being. With the growing concerns over violence in our communities, we were pleased to see that close to 40% of the respondents indicated that volunteering helped them to be more sympathetic and compassionate towards others, and volunteering allowed them to gain more respect from others and to be more respected. 75% indicated that their community is more caring and 52% believe that their community is safer as a result of their efforts. A community that cares for one another is a community that thrives.
At Volunteer MBC, we work really hard to provide youth with tools and resources that empower you to find positive, interesting and relevant volunteer opportunities. Ultimately, we are hoping to help you to realize the impact that you can have on your future and the future of your community.
The ChangeTheWorld – Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge is a fantastic youth targeted initiative which provides students with the opportunity to make a difference…and to be recognized for their efforts. ChangeTheWorld is a call to action for youth aged 14 to 18 years to volunteer through a wide variety of exciting community initiatives. The campaign will be held all across Ontario from April 21 to May 20 (4 weeks).
Last year, Volunteer MBC engaged close to 5,200 youth who volunteered an astounding 24,000 volunteer hours during ChangeTheWorld! This year, our target is to push further than ever.
All high school students are invited to sign up for existing events that are being coordinated by community service organizations across the Region of Peel, or they can ‘adopt a cause’ to promote and bring awareness to a charity or cause that they are passionate about. Volunteer MBC is here to help.
More information about ChangeTheWorld can be found on our website at www.volunteermbc.org (click on the ChangeTheWorld banner), or by emailing us at changetheworld@volunteermbc.org. Be part of something big…something really BIG! YOUth can be the change!
Survey Award Winners
Special thanks to everyone who participated in our annual survey for volunteers. Your input and feedback will help guide us in our volunteer centre’s program and service delivery.
Everyone who completed the survey were entered into a draw for a chance to win some amazing prizes.
This year’s winners were as follows:
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Aadithya S. (Mississauga) won a Tim Horton’s Gift Card and Krispy Kreme Gift Certificate
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Linda B. (Brampton) won a Pizza Pizza Gift Card
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Neeru S. (Brampton) won a Laptop Case
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Sakim S. (Caledon) won a DVD Player
Congratulations!
Did You Know?
Did you know that Volunteer MBC has three (3) convenient locations to serve you?
Our main location is our Volunteer MBC - Brampton Centre, which is located at Community Door Brampton, 7700 Hurontario Street, Unit 601 (at Ray Lawson Blvd.). The Brampton Centre is open Monday to Friday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM.
Our Volunteer MBC - Mississauga Centre is located in the offices of Family Services of Peel at 151 City Centre Drive, Unit 501 (across from Square One Shopping Centre). The Mississauga Centre is open Monday to Friday from 10:00AM to 2:00PM, with the exception of Wednesdays as the Centre closes at 1:00PM. Pre-arranged appointments are preferred.
You can also find the Volunteer MBC - Caledon Centre the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from the hours of 2:00PM to 6:00PM at the Albion-Bolton Branch of the Caledon Public Library, 150 Queen Street South. The Caledon Centre is located in the Upper Lounge area of the Library.
Drop by to meet us and to let us help you find a volunteer role. For more information, or to arrange an appointment, call us at 905.238.2622.
VMBC At-A-Glance
February 20, 2013
Volunteer MBC Workshop: Volunteer Screening & Risk Assessment Tools
February 26, 2013
Volunteer MBC Info. Session: On-line Volunteer Experience Recognition Program
March 18, 2013
Volunteer MBC Workshop: Social Media
April 21 to 27, 2013
National Volunteer Week
April 21 to May 20, 2013
ChangeTheWorld – Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge
YOUth can be the change!
April 23, 2013
Volunteer MBC Annual General Meeting & Volunteer Recognition Awards Event
More details to come soon!
For more information, visit the Events Page at www.volunteermbc.org
