Back to school and mandatory volunteer experience hours

Welcome back to the beginning of the school year, and the first few gusts of fall air. September is the time that many families, students, teachers and community members begin to plan out the next few months – what will your workload be like? What extra curriculars will you be participating in? Will you consider volunteering?

You may know that the BC Ministry of Education requires all BC students to complete Graduation Transitions in order to graduate. In fact, you will find on the BC Ministry of Ed site that all B.C. secondary school students must demonstrate …

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Volunteering with Benefits!

UnitedNow, a council of twenty-somethings volunteering with the United Way of Greater Victoria, works to raise awareness and develop understanding of key issues that impact individuals and families living throughout the Capital Regional District.

Their most recent endeavour, with the support of Volunteer Victoria, touches on volunteerism, getting connected and having fun – all in one evening! Volunteering with Benefits offers attendees the opportunity to bid on auction items with volunteer hours rather than dollars. Last year, 290 volunteer hours were raised, and the event was sold out!

This year, …

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2011 Youth Now Awards

Do you know a remarkable youth? What about a group of remarkable youth?

Do you know a remarkable youth worker, or a super youth friendly organization or business?

United Way’s Youth Advisory Council, in partnership with the Intermunicipal Recreation Youth Services of Greater Victoria, have planned and are hosting this year’s Youth Now Awards to take place over International Youth Week (May 1-7). This 13th annual  awards ceremony will celebrate the valuable contributions young people (11-29 years old) make to our community.

You can be an adult, a family member, a child, a youth, a friend or anyone to …

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A portrait of two volunteers: Meet the Newsflash team

Katherine and Mariaye have been volunteering with the Youth Volunteer Connections Program here at Volunteer Victoria since September 2010. Between the two of them they write and illustrate the Newsflash.

What is the Newsflash, you say?

The Newsflash is our volunteer posting email that goes out to over 1500 youth and interested people once every two weeks. Mariaye finds cool, youth-friendly volunteer positions on our database and writes them up for the Newsflash. She summarizes the position to provide a potential volunteer with the important nuggets that they’ll need …

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Making every moment count: A youth volunteer’s story

Maddy Guy is a volunteer with the Youth Volunteer Connections Program. She began volunteering with the Royal Jubilee Hospital in April 2010 and has volunteered with the Cool Aid Society as well.  Maddy is in Grade 12 at St. Andrew’s High School, and wants to pursue studies in nursing when she graduates.

Maddy has written an inspirational scholarship essay that speaks perfectly to the potential for growth and positive change through volunteering.  Please enjoy a glimpse into a youth volunteer’s experience.

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“We ought to make every …

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