Despite being a graduation requirement, youth in Ontario love to volunteer. According to Statistics Canada, fifty-five per cent of Ontarians aged 15 to 24 support different causes and participate in volunteering activities.*

When asked why they volunteer, the top 3 reasons identified by youth are:

1. To improve their job opportunities
2. To explore their own strengths
3. Because their friends volunteer

Interested in volunteering?

Here are a few places that could help you get started:

• Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, Volunteerism Section — volunteering fact sheets and resources
• YouthConnect — how to get started
• Volunteer Canada — lists volunteer centres where opportunities are posted
• 211Ontario.ca — directory of community services
• Charity Village — lists volunteer opportunities
• Summer Company — Create your own summer job

Source: Statistics Canada, 2004

"I volunteered at a summer camp. I was running a CIT (Counsellor-in-Training) program with a couple of other teenagers and I also have done yardwork for my neighbours and work around the city.

I think young people should be volunteering because it is going to help somebody. It's not just for yourself, it's going to be beneficial to other people.

I think a good volunteer is somebody who is happy to be there and likes to do what they're doing and is efficient at getting work done."

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