Young Ontarians Set Volunteer Record
Province Celebrates Outstanding ChangeTheWorld Campaign
High school students between the ages of 14 to 18 volunteered for a minimum of three hours in communities across the province between April 10 and May 23. Throughout the six-week campaign, students contributed over 376,000 hours in their communities by planning and participating in more than 900 activities. Highlights from the campaign include:
- Napanee District Secondary School students organized and choreographed a flash mob of 400 youth dancers on the streets of downtown Napanee to raise awareness for the Canadian Cancer Society.
- Youth from Cambridge and North Dumfries, including students from St. Benedict’s Catholic Secondary School, filled and donated 98 purses, 35 backpacks and six boxes with hygiene supplies to local shelters for their “Pack A Purse Challenge.”
- Students of Sudbury’s Lockerby Composite School organized the Kids Caring For Kids Cancer Drive, fundraising more than $64,000 for the Northern Cancer Foundation.
- The District School Board of Niagara’s Student Trustee Senate organized the first-ever “Step Past the Stigma” walk, with more than 300 participants raising awareness of mental health issues in the community.
The ChangeTheWorld challenge, which is delivered in partnership with the Ontario Volunteer Centre Network, encourages young people to change the world by getting involved in their communities. It also helps youth develop important skills like teamwork and leadership while gaining experiences that can prepare them for success.
Encouraging young people to volunteer and be active in their communities is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
Quick Facts
- The 2016 ChangeTheWorld campaign ran from April 10 to May 23.
- 67,303 young people volunteered for 376,073 hours during the 2016 campaign.
- Since 2008, over 248,000 Ontario youth have contributed more than 1.2 million volunteer hours in their communities through ChangeTheWorld.
Additional Resources
- ChangeTheWorld
- Ontario’s recognition programs and awards for volunteers.
- Explore local volunteer opportunities by contacting your local Volunteer Centre or through SPARK Ontario.
