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YIP Programs and Activities

Youth Engagement Fund (BC)

Sample YAC Projects

The BC youth advisory committees which were planning to undertake projects in 2005 using funds from the Youth Engagement Fund, had these great ideas:

Revelstoke community youth workshop

Revelstoke Community Foundation's YAC, YPLAY, has completed the first portion of their CVI project. In November 2005 Louise Kent from Free The Children presented "Be the Change" to approximately 500 Revelstoke students. Grade seven classes from Revelstoke's four elementary schools bussed to the high school to take part in the presentation. High school students from grades eight to 11 also attended. It was an amazing presentation and very well received by students and teachers. The crowd of about 50 students staying behind at the end of the presentation (and taking away from their lunch hour!) to meet Louise and pick up brochures attests to the impact that the presentation had on the audience.

 

Following the morning presentation, the afternoon workshop put on by Louise was attended by about 20 representative grade seven students from all of the elementary schools. The workshop provided leadership training and helped students to build action plans for global citizenship projects.

 

YPLAY's objective with the presentation was to build interest in local youth to participate in volunteerism activities at a local and global level. YPLAY's chairperson, Garth Leslie, was given the opportunity to speak before and after Louise's presentation and to give information about YPLAY activities and plans, which include plans for the "volunteer fair" portion of the CVI project. The expected format for the promotion of volunteer organizations and opportunities will likely be a hall display at the high school showcasing the opportunities available to the youth. Local groups and organizations will be invited to provide a poster or display.

 

The "Be the Change" presentation has also inspired a local grade 11 student to raise $5,000 to build a school. This is one of the Free The Children projects promoted by Louise. This student has recruited the support of all the local student's councils. Although in the early stages of development, this is one more impact of the CVI contribution, which has been appreciated enormously.

 

West Vancouver volunteer fair

West Vancouver Community Foundation's YAHU (Young Adults Helping U), planned to run a volunteer fair in the secondary schools in West Vancouver. The purpose of this event? To expose youth to the many different organizations that are in need of volunteers in the community.

Between 3,500 and 4000 youth, as well as teachers, counselors and administration would have the opportunity to attend the fair. YAHU planned to invite the organizations that attended a city-sponsored volunteer fair several years ago, as well as many other organizations known to YAHU, to set up booths.

Refreshments and performances by local school bands were considered key elements to create a fun atmosphere. YAHU felt that this event would provide a large number of youth with the opportunity to meet and learn about voluntary organizations in the community.

Surrey leadership conference

Surrey Foundation Youth Council (SFYC) believes that leadership conferences provide the motivation necessary for encouraging youth to pursue new experiences and ambitions. Whether it's through volunteering or taking initiative, these conferences provide the much-needed boost for students to go back to their respective communities and make a difference in their environment.

In 2005 SYFC planned to hold a leadership conference with a series of workshops and seminars led by university students, as well as a weekend of motivational fun and games. This event was expected to bring together communities from across the Lower Mainland, and would include evening events with appeal for youth.

SFYC planned to provide the core organizing team, as well as assist with the marketing of the event in Surrey.

In the words of one SYFC member "…our ultimate goal is to have participants go back with a positive spirit and drive to make a difference in our society."

Summer student used to "get the word out" in Central Okanagan

COFFY, the Central Okanagan Community Foundation For Youth, came up with the idea of hiring a part-time summer student to "get the word out" to local youth about volunteering and philanthropy.

The student was expected to work ten hours a week during the three summer months. His or her main task would be building relationships with Interact (the high school division of Rotary), school counsellors, and other youth groups. The student would also develop web and print-based promotional materials and use Volunteer Canada materials on youth volunteerism.

Goals for the project included encouraging youth to sign up for Volunteer Kelowna's 100-hour pledge (100 hours of volunteer time in celebration of Kelowna's centennial) and ensuring representation from each school in the area on COFFY.

Kamloops mural project

Kamloops Foundation's Youth Advisory Council planned to fuse youth volunteerism with city beautification in a mural project to be undertaken in conjunction with local Canada Day festivities.

The YAC chose a railway underpass for the mural and planned to charge local citizens a fee to make their handprints on a section of the mural. The money raised by the project would be donated to the Kamloops Graffiti Task Force. This would provide direct support for the ongoing restoration of the city by other volunteers.

The YAC was able to get the support of the Mayor, the Directors of Planning, Parks and Recreation, and the chair of the Graffiti Task Force. They also planned to involve other youth volunteer groups, such as the SPCA, candy stripers, cadets, and school art and band programs, with the hope that they could help to organize events for children near the mural location on Canada Day.

Golden's virtual youth centre

The Golden Youth Opportunities Council (GYOC) identified the need for a virtual youth centre, aimed at the 13 – 19 age group. In the early planning stages the idea had already garnered much community support for its creativeness and ingenuity.

The idea behind this youth-driven project was to provide planned evenings at a fresh and changing set of venues, both to keep the youth interested and to avoid the operational costs associated with rent, insurance, etc. Planned nights out included a bowling alley, basketball courts, the Rec Plex (the local recreation centre) and the swimming pool.

The group also intended to purchase pool, foosball and air hockey tables to provide fun activities for the youth. These would be stored and maintained by the local recreation centre.

Fashion and talent show in the Boundary Communities

In order meet its core goals of becoming better known in the community, holding positive community events and raising endowment funds, YSHIFT planned a fashion and talent show. YSHIFT is the Youth Advisory Committee for the Phoenix Foundation of the Boundary Communities.

To plan this event, YSHIFT approached local businesses about taking part in the fashion show and donating items for a silent auction. An amateur talent show was also planned to provide a platform for community members. And finally, YSHIFT planned to invite youth groups from across the region, in order to "bridge the gap" between youth from different areas and to promote positive youth action together.

With 300 people expected to attend the event, YSHIFT hoped to "promote our local businesses, promote YSHIFT and other youth-driven groups in the region, as well as bring the community together for an evening of fun."

"It's Cool to Be Kind" in Squamish

After meeting the "Kindness Crew" at the regional meeting for community foundations in Victoria last April, members of the Squamish Community Foundation's Youth Advisory Council thought the Crew would be an inspiration to youth in their community. This energetic group of four young men travelled across Canada promoting volunteerism and acts of kindness, and went on to write about it in a book, "It's Cool to Be Kind".

The Youth Advisory Council planned to organize a Kindness Crew presentation for all students in Squamish, and to invite local non-profits to display information about volunteer opportunities for youth. YAC members felt that the presentation would help students become motivated about volunteering, and the displays could provide immediate information about available opportunities.

Site beautification in Creston

The Youth Advisory Council of the Creston Kootenay Foundation planned to engage local youth with established artists to beautify a vacant lot in downtown Creston. Plans included designs to be painted on walls, and the installation of benches in order to make the site a relaxing and appealing public space for all ages.

The YAC found a partner in Community Pride, a committee with Town Council representation, and also planned to involve youth from The Inclusive Community Program, an initiative designed to bridge age barriers.

Through the process of creating an attractive and useful physical space, the project should also generate awareness and appreciation of youth and intergenerational connections. A sense of camaraderie would be developed among volunteers and generate feelings of community pride. Recognition of young people's efforts would encourage them towards further volunteer activities. And it would be fun!

Youth in Philanthropy Canada is a national program of Community Foundations of Canada