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Tag: volunteer

  • Volunteer Centres in Canada

    Volunteer Centres in Canada

    As you know, all high school students need to have 40 hours of community service in order to graduate. Use this information to discover where your 40 hours can best be used.

    Volunteering and Community Hours

    What is a Volunteer Centre?

    Volunteer Centres are non-profit organizations or groups dedicated to fostering and developing volunteerism in the community as a whole. While other organizations contribute to sustaining our national heritage of volunteering through their programs and outreach, Volunteer Centres serve the broadest membership. Volunteer Centres reach across the non-profit and public sectors to include organizations working in human and social services, health care, education, the arts and recreation – regardless of their source of funding.

    What if my community does not have a Volunteer Centre?

    Volunteer Centres reflect the needs of the community they serve. Volunteer Centres exist primarily to foster and develop volunteerism in the community as a whole. They engage in four general kinds of services and activities:

    1. Promoting volunteerism and raising awareness of the power of service
    2. Building capacity for effective local volunteering through management consulting on volunteer programs and training of managers of volunteer resources
    3. Providing leadership and advocacy on issues relating to volunteerism and volunteer programs
    4. Connecting people with opportunities to serve through recruitment and referral of volunteers to community agencies

    Four Main Reasons to Volunteer

    1. Make a contribution to society.
    2. Share your skills.
    3. Support a cause.
    4. Do something meaningful with your friends and colleagues.

    One of these reasons probably makes sense for you. You may already be working as a volunteer or are thinking about what you might want to do next. Whatever your reason, there are many different opportunities out there – and organizations that need your help.

  • Co-Operative Education and Volunteering

    Co-Operative Education and Volunteering

    When we think of work we usually immediately think of compensation – which, in all fairness, is why we work. However, working for free or enrolling in what is called a co-operative education program can be quite beneficial for young individuals trying to get their foot in the door. It is usually offered to high school students and young adults working towards a high school diploma. Volunteering is also another way to get experience, so let’s take a deeper look into both of these options.

    Co-operative education is aimed at both high school students and young adults who have not yet completed the requirements for a high school diploma. The student normally chooses their place of employment and is scheduled to come to class a few times a week to log in what they did at their workplace and what they learned.

    Co-op placements, much like volunteering, gives hands on experience in the workplace. They do not differ much except that successful co-op students may be hired on by the employer upon successful completion of their assignment. In addition, students earn credits through the co-op program that go towards their high school diploma.

    Co-op is perfect for students who have not yet graduated; not only will they receive credits, but they may also be setting themselves up for future employment.

    Co-operative education is offered by all high schools and adult education centres in Ontario. Perquisites vary, but are not very strict. Check with your local high school or adult learning centre.

    Volunteering is ideal for high school students who are either looking to complete their 40 hours of community service (which is a mandatory requirement for high school graduates) or students who would like to see more of the workplace, gain first hand exposure at working life and determine which career would most suit them.

    In this day and age, networking is a must. By volunteering students can meet employers, build strong professional relationships with their colleagues and apply these skills to life after high school. Students can gain valuable workplace experience, use them as references and share their knowledge with classmates.

    With so many employment opportunities, students can limit their career choices and choose the appropriate courses that will guide them to their chosen field of study.

    Both volunteering and co-op serve as great chances to develop strong communication skills, familiarize yourself with the workplace and its people and get to know what career best suits you.

    By engaging in volunteering or co-op, students will carry life long references and lessons brought on by early workplace exposure. This will follow students to and from college or directly to the workplace.

  • The Benefits of Travel and Volunteerism

    The Benefits of Travel and Volunteerism

    Having volunteer experience is an essential part of every student’s life. Now that it a requirement for high school students to acquire 40 hours of volunteer time before they graduate, many new and varied opportunities are cropping up. It is a great time to travel as a student!

    Volunteering allows for an introspective look into your values and it gives perspective and fosters a better-rounded individual. Some of life’s richest experiences come from volunteering. When you free yourself to give your time to helping fulfill the needs of another it is rewarding on many levels. One way to volunteer is to go abroad and embark on a life-changing journey. This is something students should consider while they have the time and resources. Volunteering abroad is a meaningful experience that can provide great rewards.

    So, why go abroad when there are plenty of opportunities here at home?

    1. The opportunity to travel and visit a foreign country.
    There is something very different about reading about a country and actually visiting it in person. Travel is a great way to expand your mind and gain insight into the world and how you view it. It adds to your life experiences and creates memories you can draw upon for a lifetime.

    2.Unique projects.
    Perhaps you can help save the green turtle or be an ambassador for the environment. There are things you can do abroad that you simple cannot do at home. The animals are different, the government structure is different and the ecosystems are different. Every country comes with unique settings, strange habitats and diverse food.

    3. Take in a new culture.
    What better way to learn than to jump right in? Don’t just study different cultures in books and in movies, take the opportunity to live and breathe it. Engage all your senses and create a rich memory that helps support you through daily challenges.

    4. Make new friends.
    You will create memories that build a lifelong bond. Language is only a barrier for a short while before mutual respect and affection based on shared experiences take control.

    5. Learn a new language.
    No language curriculum can match being surrounded by language and culture. It is amazing how quickly one picks up a foreign language when it is all around them. The mind is fast to pick up words from action and gestures.

    There are many organizations to choose from when considering volunteering abroad. Take time to look into various opportunities. Some may be based on community or through schools, churches, and hospitals. Take a chance and do something different.

    Don’t forget that you don’t have to travel to volunteer. Your very own community needs you, too! The best part about volunteering is the feeling of accomplishment and knowing that you have made a difference, regardless of where you do it.

  • Volunteer Centres in Canada

    Volunteer Centres in Canada

    As you know, high school students require 40 hours worth of volunteer work/community service in order to graduate. Use our handy guide below to discover how your hours can best be used!

    Volunteering and Community Hours

    What is a Volunteer Centre?

    Volunteer Centres are non-profit organizations or groups dedicated to fostering and developing volunteerism in the community as a whole. While other organizations contribute to sustaining our national heritage of volunteering through their programs and outreach, Volunteer Centres serve the broadest membership; this includes volunteers and organizations/volunteer-involving organizations. Volunteer Centres reach across the non-profit and public sectors to include organizations working in human and social services, health care, education, the arts and recreation – regardless of their source of funding.

  • Benefits of Volunteerism in High School

    Benefits of Volunteerism in High School

    High school students, it’s time to get motivated! Volunteering while still in high school provides you with the framework for your future career path, as well as instills in you the importance of giving back to others. It may seem difficult to fit in volunteer hours with such a busy schedule of classes, studying and extracurricular activities, but with a little planning you can achieve your volunteer goals. Many not-for-profit organizations only require a few hours a week of your time. For example, the Ottawa Humane Society has a dog walking program that requires a commitment of 2 hours per week. If you love dogs, that is a very easy commitment to make! Even though you may not be reimbursed financially for your time, volunteering is something that can be put on your resume that will help impress future employers and university admissions officials alike. Below, a list of just some of the benefits that volunteerism can provide you:

    Impress Admissions Officials
    You’ve got the great GPA and amazing standardized test scores. But what makes you stand out from students with similar grades? The answer is what you do in your spare time. Volunteer hours and part-time jobs listed on your application will really make you shine. Volunteerism is a great way to show admissions officials that you not only care about the community, but are able to manage your time well enough to balance a volunteer job with your other commitments. By all means, don’t spend every spare minute working on your volunteer hours – you need to balance volunteerism with your personal life, too. But a sustained commitment to one particular cause over a year or two shows that you are willing to stick to something that you care about. This will be very impressive to admissions officials and work in your favour.

    Get Involved Outside of School
    Volunteering allows you to meet people you may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise, especially if you are volunteering outside of school. If you have heard the term “networking”, that is essentially what you will be doing! You are forming a network of contacts that can help you get to where you want to be. If you already have a good idea of what you want to study in college or university, you can volunteer your time in that field. For example, if you want to study psychology, why not volunteer your time with the Canadian Mental Health Association? You can find volunteer opportunities for almost anything that interests you, so spread your wings outside of your school and gain immeasurable benefits!

    Earn Academic Credit and Scholarships
    Some high schools require you to put in volunteer hours in order to graduate. Others offer extra credits or scholarship opportunities if you do volunteer your time. Check with your high school’s administration office to see if any of these opportunities are available to you. If they are, take advantage of them! A scholarship will help you to cut down on your student loans when you reach university, and extra credits will look great on your transcript to help you land the university placement of your dreams. Check out studentawards.ca to find all of the different community service scholarships that are available – your volunteerism won’t only impress your university of choice, but also the officials who will be deciding whether or not you obtain your scholarship!

    Above are the curricular advantages to volunteerism. But let’s not forget the personal advantages that come from it, too. Giving back to your community and contributing positive energy to the world will do wonders for your self-esteem and self-worth. Volunteering is the way to go!

  • Sports and Volunteer Hours

    Sports and Volunteer Hours

    Jobs People Do | JobsPeopleDo.comFinishing Your Community Hours in the Summer with Sports.

    When youʼre loving the summer, the last thing you want to think about is school especially completing those mandatory volunteer hours so you can get your high school diploma. Not to worry though, you can still have plenty of fun in the sun while completing those volunteer hours.

    How do I know that you can do this? Well, I know from personal experience of course. Just like all of you readers, I had to manage my time in the summer so I could complete my volunteer hours. I decided that since I have to do them, I would want to volunteer for something that I would enjoy. In my case, I liked sports, so I phoned some local sport clubs and asked if any were offering volunteer hours for students.

    After some sport searching, I discovered that I could coach for a junior league soccer team. As intimidating as coaching sounded, I was up to the challenge, and it turned out to be one of the best parts of my summer. I signed up, along with my brother, and we coached a soccer team for 8 year-olds soccer  for two months.

    We practiced once a week and played a game every weekend, putting in over 3 hours a week. It was a very small amount of time we had to take out of our normal summer, and it wasnʼt agonizing to do. In fact, I looked forward to seeing my kids learn and develop soccer skills through mine and my brotherʼs coaching. It was very rewarding, especially when we made it all the way to the finals and won the
    championship!

    Jamie Willett, a recent resident at Western University, had a similar experience with her high school volunteer hours. Jamie did her volunteer hours spending her summer assisting a junior gymnastic team. She spent hours every week planning and executing lessons for a group of young gymnasts.

    “It was really thrilling to teach the kids during the summer. Although it brought new challenges everyday, it allowed me to test my skills as a gymnast and as a teacher. It definitely helped me discover what I wanted to do after high school as well!”

    This fall term Jamie will be studying at teacher’s college at Western University for a year so she can teach students at the high school level.

    As you can see, there are plenty of ways to finish up those volunteer hours during your high school years and we have only covered the realm of sports! Be sure to check out the Jobs People Do Volunteer section to check out where you can lend a hand in your
    community!

  • Volunteer Centres in Canada

    Volunteer Centres in Canada

    As you know all high-school students need to have 40 hours of community service in order to graduate. Use this information to discover where your 40 hours can best be used.

    Volunteering and Community Hours

    What is a Volunteer Centre?

    Volunteer Centres are non-profit organizations or groups dedicated to fostering and developing volunteerism in the community as a whole. While other organizations contribute to sustaining our national heritage of volunteering through their programs and outreach, Volunteer Centres serve the broadest membership: including volunteers and organizations/volunteer-involving organizations. Volunteer Centres reach across the non-profit and public sectors to include organizations working in human and social services, health care, education, the arts and recreation – regardless of their source of funding.

    Jobs People Do | JobsPeopleDo.com

    What if my community does not have a Volunteer Centre?

    Volunteer Centres reflect the needs of the community they serve. Volunteer Centres exist primarily to foster and develop volunteerism in the community as a whole. They engage in four general kinds of services and activities:

    1. Promoting volunteerism and raising awareness of the power of service
    2. Building capacity for effective local volunteering through management consulting on volunteer programs and training of volunteers and managers of volunteer resources
    3. Providing leadership and advocacy on issues relating to volunteerism and volunteer programs
    4. Connecting people with opportunities to serve through recruitment and referral of volunteers to community agencies

    Four Main Reasons to Volunteer

    1. Make a contribution to society.
    2. Share your skills.
    3. Support a cause.
    4. Do something meaningful with your friends and colleagues.

    One of these reasons probably makes sense for you. You may already be working as a volunteer or are thinking about what you might want to do next. Whatever your reason, there are many different opportunities out there-and organizations that need your help.

    Finding the right volunteer opportunity can be like finding the right job fit–and it can change, just like a job can.

  • Getting Your Volunteer Hours the Old-Fashioned Way

    Getting Your Volunteer Hours the Old-Fashioned Way

    Getting Your Volunteer Hours The Old-Fashioned Way

    In order to graduate high school, students must complete 40 hours of volunteer work. Rather than dragging it out over the course of an entire high school career, why not get them all done at once? And for that matter, even learn something while you are at it? If you’re interested thus far, you should look into volunteering with your local history museum.

    You will often find that any city’s museum would welcome student volunteers, especially those who have a vested interest in history or plans to continue historical studies into university.

    Maja Bannerman, Public Programmer for the Niagara Falls History Museum said that the museum accepts volunteers aged 10 to 80. Bannerman commented that their graveyard tour program in specific attracts many student volunteers, “a lot of the high school students are doing their hours and getting beyond what they need,” she added.

    The graveyard tour has students dress up in period clothing and imitate those buried in the Lundy’s Lane Battle of 1814 graveyard.  These students put on three shows per night, every Friday and Saturday for the last three weeks in October. Beyond the official shows, there are numerous dress rehearsals and technical rehearsals throughout September in preparation for the show. Though it is a large time commitment, you could easily complete your volunteer hours by the end of October, and you’d have some great stories to tell from the experience.

    Though the Graveyard Tour is only one program at one museum, it is a fine example of an unconventional way to complete your volunteer hours quickly. Beyond getting your required volunteering done, there is enormous opportunity to learn something new about the place you live.

    However, your involvement does not have to stop there. By volunteering to the best of your abilities, you can show yourself to be a very useful asset to the museum. If you are particularly talented, it is possible to turn your volunteer position into a future job or career.

    “There have been students in the past who have attained paid positions here,” Bannerman said. Making such connections through volunteering can lead to a job, a career, or even just an excellent reference for your resume. It is very important to begin making connections like this while you are still in high school, as they will carry you through your college or university years and into the real world.

  • Need Volunteer Hours? Join a Mob

    Need Volunteer Hours? Join a Mob

    The student’s quest for 40 community service hours is not always a pretty one. Sponge-bathing senior citizens and picking up garbage are healthy for the community, but often so uninspiring to the average teenager that procrastination happens and some diploma-getting is in jeopary.

    What if you could find volunteer work that you’re passionate about, that gives you larger opportunities, that is part of a worldwide social activist movement? The Me to We (Mob)ilizers are students all across Canada, working from the ground to promote and support the charity Free The Children and facilitate real social change in the world.

    It’s all about going from thinking ‘me’, with selfish or self-centred motives and aspirations, to thinking ‘we’, with motivation to do right for all. If you are seeking to volunteer and get involved as a global citizen on a larger scale, consider joining the Me to We MOB.

    The entire enterprise began when a 12 year old Craig Kielburger read a news article about a 12 year old in South Asia who had died as a result of horrible child labour exploitation. This inspired him to make a difference. In 1995 Craig began speaking out for children’s rights in different small venues throughout Ontario. His vision caught on and late that year, he founded the Free the Children organization, with what he described as the motivation to “free the children from poverty, and free the children from the notion that they are powerless to affect change”.

    This means that while we work to end the enslavement and exploitation of children far from home, we can help children here to understand how valuable they are to the world, becoming enlightened and empowered.

    Today, Free the Children is the world’s largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth in 45 countries involved in its education and development programs (like the Me to We initiatives).

    When an organization gets so large, it can become difficult to stay connected to the individual people while continuing to bring new, passionate youth into the cycle. That’s where the MOB comes in, taking Free the Children back to its grassroots and spreading the message from the ground up.

    Erica Baker is a MOB-Lead for Canada’s West Coast and a summer intern with Free the Children headquarters. When asked to describe what the MOB is Erica’s response, “Can I just say amazing?” was one of honest passion.

    “We are the masses. We are the movement. We are the MOB,” Erica said, “a vast group of students operating out of many cities across Canada, who are serious about making a mark on the social issues of our time. We organize events and fundraisers to benefit Me to We and Free the Children, and bring awesome, motivated young people together from across the country to make change.” Erica continued.

    She revealed that this year, the (Mob)ilizers are supporting one village in India, one in Ecuador, and one in Haiti, with funds going toward building houses, schools, and health clinics there. (Mob)ilizers have the option of going to one of these villages at the end of the school year to see exactly what their efforts are accomplishing.

    Applications are open until July 25th for next year’s MOB. To check out more or apply for a MOB position in your city, visithttp://www.metowe.com/movement/mobilizers/join/.