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Each year, young people from 15 to 30 make up approximately 73% of our volunteer base. We value our young volunteers’ energy and skills, and we are always looking for new ways to support them. We train volunteers for success in their chosen role and support them throughout their journey. Even when people pause or stop volunteering, they can sign up to the Literacy Ambassador Club to stay connected, attend events, and keep up to date with United for Literacy.
If you are, or know, a young person who wants to make a lasting impact on your community, please read on to find out more and join us. Working with others is a chance to grow as a person while you help to transform the lives of those you serve. Together, we can build a culture of learning where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Finding new and innovative ways to connect with young people and inspiring them to volunteer is important to United for Literacy. Read on to find out the reasons why we are an excellent choice for young volunteers and what we are doing to break down the barriers that may stop youth from donating their time, energy, and skills.
According to Megan Conway, CEO of Volunteer Canada, in 2018, Gen Z (78%) and Millennials (77%) are more likely to be informal volunteers than other generations. Teaching, coaching, are tutoring are key areas where youth choose to share their time, creativity, and skills. As well, the priority areas named by youth include Truth and Reconciliation and innovation, skills, and learning. These areas are all strongly aligned with United for Literacy’s roles of program support and tutor. Learn more about our programs on our website, and get more information about trends in volunteering on the Canadian Heritage website.
When asked, youth in Canada said that terms like “community mobilization” and “community care” are more resonant than “volunteering.” While volunteering is a familiar term that focuses on the person doing the work, these other terms place the people being supported at the centre of the action. They also suggest the connection between the volunteer and greater society: the way one person’s actions resonate across the whole community.
Franca Gucciardi, former CEO of the McBall MacBain Foundation and an expert in youth leadership, says, “All people want to feel they have something meaningful to give to others. Youth want to see how their experience feeds the bigger mission and vision of an organization. They want to see how they're doing good for the world. And they want to be part of a community that makes them feel positive and optimistic.”
There are numerous barriers or obstacles that stop youth from becoming volunteers. It is important that all youth have equal access to the volunteer opportunities that meet their needs and interests. There are many useful tools for learning how to make volunteer opportunities accessible, including this workbook on Volunteer Toronto’s website. Whenever possible, United for Literacy attempts to make volunteering accessible to a wide range of people.
Some common barriers include
Demanding schedules
While many United for Literacy in-person programs occur on specific days and times, online opportunities offer flexibility for the learner and tutor.
• Language and skill level
While United for Literacy tutors require strong reading skills, you do not need to have a teaching background or be an expert to be a volunteer. Newcomers and youth with English or French as an additional language are encouraged to apply. Enthusiasm, dedication, and a willingness to build your skills are key to being a successful volunteer.
• Physical
United for Literacy programs generally require sitting, kneeling, or standing. However, most in-person programs take place in schools, libraries, community centres, and other accessible places for people with mobility devices.
• Time
Most programs require a one-to-two-hour commitment each week. If time is tight, volunteering with one event may be more appropriate. Speak with your local community coordinator if you have any questions.
• Location
Online tutoring means there are more volunteering opportunities available to more people than ever before. Even without transportation, it’s possible to connect with people all over Canada.
• Expertise:
United for Literacy provides strong, ongoing training and support for volunteers. You aren’t in this alone!
“When we talk about barriers to volunteering for youth, people often talk about youth from underserved communities and seem to imply that they are volunteering less,” explains Franca. “It’s true that these youth are facing specific barriers that we need to dismantle. But it is also true that youth from underserved communities are deeply involved and want to see positive change happen around them. It’s up to us to meet them where they are and give them the chance to join a community where their voice will be deeply valued, and their work fully appreciated.”
We’re making changes to our volunteer management, requirements, and support practices. Here is what we have put in place so far:
We diversified our recruitment methods and increased social media promotion. This was done in a spirit of “meeting youth where they are.”
We refreshed our volunteer policies to be fully online. This reflects the post-pandemic world.
We continue to modernize our volunteer training. This includes using video, a modular approach, gamification, and bots to deliver information.
We created a new database to engage and manager volunteers in a more streamlined way.
We are offering professional development opportunities to young volunteers.
We created a new Youth Mobilization Coordinator position.
We worked with a university to create a Volunteer App prototype. This will allow us to streamline communication with volunteers in the future.
We diversified our volunteer opportunities: online or in person, tutoring, special events, skills-based (e.g., volunteering with government relations).
We created a Volunteer Award, and we promote volunteer stories during National Volunteer Week.
We promote our internships, summer positions, and other paid job opportunities to our youth volunteers. The majority of our interns began as volunteers, and 15% of our interns become staff.
We are creating a meaningful alumni program to keep youth engaged after they have completed volunteering.
We are active about recruiting young people for our boards.
We will create digital badges and training certifications.
We have transitioned to a new, efficient police record check process.
We have plans to create a Youth Advisory Council.
We became a member of the National Alliance for Children and Youth (NACY). This is so we can better understand our youth and best contribute to their development, learners and volunteers alike.
United for Literacy values our youth volunteers and recognizes the importance of reducing or removing barriers to getting involved. If you, or someone you know, would like to learn more about becoming a volunteer tutor, please email Kirandeep Randhawa, National Youth Leadership Coordinator. If you’re ready to apply, please complete the online form at https://www.unitedforliteracy.ca/Volunteer.
