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 they have ...

[Continue reading Back to school and mandatory volunteer experience hours]

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, auction items ...

[Continue reading Volunteering with Benefits!]

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 nominate someone ...

[Continue reading 2011 Youth Now Awards]

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 to know ...

[Continue reading A portrait of two volunteers: Meet the Newsflash team]

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 moment count, ...

[Continue reading Making every moment count: A youth volunteer’s story]

This post first appeared in Volunteer Victoria’s Youth Volunteer Connections newsletter.  Please email tara@volunteervictoria.bc.ca to sign up  for the NewsFlash and hear about new volunteer opportunities, events and workshops happening in Victoria.

Child Care Worker: The James Bay Community Project needs someone to help take care of children while their parents learn to cook.  Shifts would be for 3 and a half hours a week for 6 weeks between April and June.  If you would be interested, then contact Catriona at 250-388-7844 or e-mail ccampbell@jbcp.bc.ca

Newspaper Reader: If you’d like an opportunity to volunteer with your family then check out another opportunity with ...

[Continue reading NewsFlash #60]

This post first appeared in Volunteer Victoria’s Youth Volunteer Connections newsletter.  Please email tara@volunteervictoria.bc.ca to sign up  for the NewsFlash and hear about new volunteer opportunities, events and workshops happening in Victoria.

Exercise Assistant: The Gorge Road Hospital is looking for volunteers to encourage their senior citizens to exercise with hand weights and Therabands.  You would need to be available on Friday mornings from 10:15 to 11:30.  If you would be interested, then contact Kathy at 250-370-8407 or e-mail kathleen.nies@viha.ca

Young Parent Support Network: If you’d like a chance to volunteer in the evenings, then check out the [Continue reading NewsFlash #59]

This post first appeared in Volunteer Victoria’s Youth Volunteer Connections newsletter.  Please email tara@volunteervictoria.bc.ca to sign up  for the NewsFlash and hear about new volunteer opportunities, events and workshops happening in Victoria.

Reading Buddy: The Greater Victoria Public Libraries are looking for teen volunteers to pair up with younger children and participate with them in reading and writing based activities.  The commitment is for an hour a week for eight weeks, the program running from March 6th – April 24th.  For more information contact one of the local branches of visit www.gvpl.ca ...

[Continue reading NewsFlash #58]

This post first appeared in Volunteer Victoria’s Youth Volunteer Connections newsletter.  Please email tara@volunteervictoria.bc.ca to sign up  for the NewsFlash and hear about new volunteer opportunities, events and workshops happening in Victoria.

Assistant Restaurant Server: TLC is looking for someone to help welcome guests to the house, as well as aiding with set up and take down.  Food Safe 1 would be desired but not required to get the position.  This is a great way to take part in the community while getting experience in a restaurant environment.  If you are interested, contact Irene at 250-598-8096 or e-mail [Continue reading NewsFlash #57]

Volunteer Victoria is pleased to welcome our new youth council volunteers to our social media team! The group first met in October to discuss how we could go about implementing social media as a part of our volunteer management and recruitment strategy. I was very impressed by the group’s insight and inventiveness, as well as their enthusiasm! This team had so many ideas to share, including offering input on everything from our current (and future) branding, to how we might more effectively manage our Facebook page. We are very lucky to have this group of talented volunteers helping us out with the Welcome Youth Council Volunteers!]