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 for an award! It’s that easy!
What’s the criteria? The Youth Now awards nomination package reads:
Individual youth and groups of youth (between 11 and 29 years old) who have provided extraordinary service to others, acted as role models for environmental stewardship, or demonstrated exceptional personal accomplishments can be nominated for Youth Awards.
Professionals who make a difference in the lives of the youth they work with, as well as businesses and organizations who excel at providing youth friendly services can also be nominated. There are no age restrictions for these two recognition categories. Nominations will be accepted until April 14th.
The categories are as follows:
YOUTH RECOGNITION CATEGORIES
Big Change Award: to recognize youth who have overcome major obstacles to make their own lives healthier, safer and happier.
Friendship Award: to recognize youth who practice true friendship and have gone out of their way to be a friend to others
NOTE: we strongly recommend that nominations for this award come from peers, friends and family members.
Green Award: to recognize youth who have gone above and beyond in the promotion and/or development of earth-friendly practices.
Group Volunteer Award: to recognize youth who give back to their community as part of an organized or informal group (group can be any size but its core members should be between the ages of 11 and 29).
Individual Volunteer Award: to recognize youth (ages 11 to 14, 15 to 19, or 20 to 29), who make extraordinary contributions to their communities and neighbourhoods through their volunteer activities.
YOUTH-FRIENDLY RECOGNITION CATEGORIES:
Youth Friendly Business/Organization Award: to recognize businesses and/or organizations who excel at making their services and location youth friendly.
Youth Worker Award: to recognize the professionals who work with youth and make an incredible difference in their lives.
The achievements of all the nominees will be recognized at the Youth Now Awards Gala, to be held on May 6 at Royal Oak Middle School. Everyone is welcome to attend. To reserve seats for the Youth Now Awards Gala, please call 250-220-7359 or email youth@uwgv.ca.
It doesn’t take a lot to recognise the young people in our community and in our lives: This is a great way to say thanks in a big way!