Want to make a difference in your community while making new friends and developing leadership, life, and employment skills? Join us for the Youth Take Initiative program! This new youth program aims to support people aged 15 to 30 in gaining valuable volunteer experience in Surrey, Coquitlam, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack. The program is offered both online and in-person.
As a participant, you will:
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Gain valuable experience in non-profits that can help with finding work in the future
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Work with a group of like-minded individuals
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Make new connections, colleagues, and friends
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Learn and improve life skills such as budgeting, time management, and communication
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Learn and improve employment skills such as resume building, job application, and the expectations of a workplace
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Learn about the work and experiences of community organizations and how you can make an impact in your community
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM?
- Youth residing in the Lower Mainland
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals with refugee status in Canada
- Individuals at least 15 years of age upon starting participation in the program and no older than 30 years of age at the time of application.
WHAT SHOULD PARTICIPANTS EXPECT?
This youth program will be both in-person and online. Volunteering will be in-person and workshops will be a mix of in-person and online. Participants will have a YMCA Coordinator to mentor and support them during the program.
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Cohorts are approximately six months in during and include training and volunteering.
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Participants will have one month of training for five hours per week.
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Participants will then volunteer with a local non-profit organization for four hours per week and attend virtual group sessions for one to two hours per week.
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Finally, participants will work on a legacy project to help their non-profit learn how to better serve youth in their community.
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Note: the YMCA will also provide supports for project materials, travel assistance, and adaptive equipment.
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE PROGRAM OFFERED?
The Youth Take Initiative program is currently on hold and not accepting registrations. Please check back to see when our next cohorts will run.
Have questions? Contact us by emailing Taran Kingsbury, Manager, Youth Programs, at taran.kingsbury@bc.ymca.ca or call 604-365-0386.
Our Funding Partner
Youth Take Initiative is funded by Canada Service Corps, a national movement that empowers youth ages 15-30 to gain experience and build important skills while giving back to their community. Learn more at Canada.ca/CanadaServiceCorps
