The Face of Youth Philanthropy
Melissa O., 18
Central Okanagan Foundation For Youth (COFFY) (BC)
How long have you been involved with your YAC?
Melissa's YAC was part of the Youth-led Community Action Projects Pilot Program in 2006. This was a partnership between Community Foundations of Canada and the Department of Canadian Heritage which saw numerous projects funded in local communities aimed at supporting youth to get involved in their communities as citizens and volunteers.
Melissa's profile below reflects that experience, rather than her general experience of belonging to a YAC.
What do you feel you're getting out of being involved?
The best thing about being on the project's National Selection Committee was definitely the people I've connected with across the country. It's an amazing thing to have all these people brought together from different backgrounds and then realize that you share commonalities.
The most challenging thing about being on the committee was - well, there wasn't one! Everyone shared their thoughts and was so well-spoken, which can be hard when you're only meeting through a telephone conference.
Do you have a favourite grant that your YAC has given out?
I couldn't possibly pick my favorite grant when they were all so creative and so much effort was put into all of them.
I think all of them were wonderful because they were getting youth involved in their communities with the hopes of trying to make a difference, and that's what the whole project was about.
Tell us something about yourself...
I feel like a broken record, but what can I say beyond the fact that the experience was great? That goes for both the process and the Canadian Heritage program. I met some terrific people and it shone an entirely new light on how youth can make a difference in their communities. I feel like we've really achieved something spectacular.
What else would you like to tell people who are reading this?
I just wanted to send a personal thank you to Barb Oates McMillan for being our adult supervisor throughout the year, as well as to everyone I spoke with on the calls. And lastly, but most importantly, I think we'd all like to thank the organizations and projects that applied to us in an effort to make their communities better.
October 2006
