Written by: Ayomide Awesu, Co-op Student, Public Relations Assistant, Capacity Canada, aspiring communications and marketing professional, entrepreneur, and creative storyteller passionate about digital media and community engagement.
Youth volunteering is becoming more important in our community and more in the nonprofit sector. I believe young people bring creativity, energy and fresh perspectives to nonprofit organizations. Which helps nonprofits expand their target audience and explore new opportunities and helps them stay connected to the world.
Volunteering gives youth a chance to understand how nonprofits work and how small actions/events can make a big impact. This builds confidence, responsibility and helps us discover what we care and want to learn more about.
Learning through experience
As a student currently completing my co-op placement with St. Mary’s High School at Capacity Canada, I’ve seen how much youth involvement matters. Working with different staff and community leaders in my own personal life has changed my perspective. I have learned how different projects come together and how we use teamwork and our collected skills to plan events.
Before this placement I volunteered at my church and summer camps. Those experiences taught me how small actions for example, helping organize an event or supporting younger kids can make a difference. Each opportunity helped me grow and be more confident and understand how to be a leader.
Challenges and opportunities
Even with all these different benefits, youth volunteering can be tough sometimes. Some youth don’t know where to start or worry if their opinions will be heard and acted upon. Some face barriers like transportations and balancing school. However nonprofit organizations make volunteering easier since they have more flexible roles, mentorship and clear guidance.
Questions to reflect on:
- Why do youth choose to volunteer?
Is it for experience, connection to community or purpose?
Each reason shapes how we volunteer. - Who benefits from youth volunteering?
Is it the organization, the community or the volunteers? This helps us discern how meaningful it is. - Whose voice is heard in youth volunteering?
Are youth included in decision making or only in participation? There should be full engagement and responsibility for volunteers. - How does volunteering create an impact?
Altogether my experiences have shown me that volunteering is one of the most meaningful ways youths can and learn with their community. Working in a nonprofit for my co-op placement, helping at church and volunteering at camps and events have all shown me how to make a difference and care for the world and people around me.
International Volunteer Year reminds us that every volunteer contribution matters. By creating meaningful opportunities for youth to get involved, nonprofit organizations are investing not only in their missions but also in the next generation of community leaders.
Youth have the creativity, energy and independence that nonprofits need to stay connected. When we choose to volunteer and help, we are shaping the type of world that we want to live in.
Written by:
Ayomide Awesu, Co-op Student & Public Relations Assistant, Capacity Canada
Ayomide is currently a Highschool student taking a co – op credit. She has plenty of volunteer experience in communication and technology from leading at her church, running her own business and volunteering in graphic design and communication camps. She has developed skills in marketing and operating design for live streams and blogs. She also has customer service skills by maintaining a good relationship with clients/customers for her business and learning how to efficiently use different creating platforms including; canva, adobe and presentations.
Email: [email protected]