Dr. Megan Conway
President and CEO,
Volunteer Canada
Youth are driving positive change now. By addressing
barriers and creating supportive volunteer opportunities, we ensure their continued impact on society.
Canada’s youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow — they are the innovators, problem-solvers, and creators of change today. With their diverse backgrounds, passion, and energy, young people are already shaping the future of our society. However, this generation faces unique challenges. Having spent much of my career working with and learning from youth, I’m keenly aware that we need to collectively improve the supports available to them to drive better collective futures. Economic instability, the lasting effects of the pandemic, and an increasingly complex world present obstacles that require support in navigating education, employment, and volunteerism.
Addressing challenges for young volunteers
Canadian youth have long been a driving force behind community organizations, dedicating their time and efforts to causes they care about. The need for volunteers is more pressing than ever, yet nonprofits are struggling to fill these vital roles. We know that the experiences, barriers, and opportunities for youth participation have dramatically changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. We also know youth volunteering looks different across the various provinces, territories, and regions.
This is an opportunity for youth to share their knowledge and show the power of community involvement. To help facilitate youth engagement in volunteering, Volunteer Canada’s Youth Roundtables offered the following recommendations for organizations and policymakers:
- It’s essential for organizations to reach out proactively to youth and create a volunteer process that is flexible, welcoming and accessible. It’s important to foster a sense of belonging, giving youth a voice in their volunteer roles, and showing appreciation for their contributions by demonstrating the meaningful impact of their work.
- Policy Makers and Advocates must gather data on how organizations are involving youth in volunteer opportunities in a post-pandemic world, and to address gaps between what youth need and what is available. Supporting organizations that prioritize meaningful youth engagement through training and funding will help ensure that youth can continue to contribute in meaningful ways.
Support for youth engagement
As the national voice for volunteerism, Volunteer Canada aims to address obstacles to volunteerism and reduce barriers for participation. The voice and experience of Canada’s youth are vital to this movement.
While a lot has changed over the last few years, some things never will. Volunteering is an act of good citizenship. And from coast to coast to coast, people – like you – want to help themselves, their families, their friends, and their neighbours thrive – while feeling connected and supported.
Volunteer Canada is actively looking to engage youth in the development of Canada’s National Volunteer Action Strategy. We will be accepting applications for a cross-sectoral working group that ensures shared ownership of the final strategy – and we want youth across the country to be a part of it.
Together, we can create a Canada where youth are not only the future but an active part of the present. By embracing volunteerism and other community-building opportunities, young Canadians not only build their own futures but help to build a future for all of us.
To learn more, visit volunteerstrategy.ca/get-involved.
