United Way Winnipeg Youth

Neighbourhood involvement, inner-city hip hop, hard work, fun and doughnuts were all part of the 2008 United Way Youth Day of Caring (YDOC). On May 30th, 2008, 109 high school students from 14 schools in Winnipeg convened in the West Broadway area to experience a full day of volunteer work at various United Way agency partners in the area, ranging from the John Howard Society to the West Central Women’s Centre.

The purpose of the day was to empower youth to become involved in the community by exposing them to various United Way agency partners and the work that they do. As a member of the Youth Relations Council (YRC) actively involved in planning for the 2008 YDOC, it was an amazing journey seeing how all the agencies and schools came together for a good cause. There is no doubt in my mind that these youth left the day thinking ‘what’s the next step’?

The day kicked off with an energetic and inspiring performance from a youth hip-hop group “Hip Hop Academy”. A heartfelt song about growing up in foster care was a highlight of their performance. After that, the different teams were shuttled off to the different agencies in the neighbourhood for a full day of work. My team worked at the John Howard Society; an organization that gives those who want to change their lives for the better, the means to do so.

No one on my team had ever done any volunteer work before the YDOC. As they heard about some of the wonderful things the agency was doing to help people get their lives in oder, I could see the excitement and passion spark. They assured me this would not be their last day of caring.

When we convened at the community centre at the end of the day, everyone was buzzing. One story really got me excited: one group had been assigned to paint the outside of a local agency. About halfway through the day, a few kids right off the street asked what they were doing, and immediately volunteered to help. To me, this story epitomizes what the YDOC is all about: community engagement and involvement, to improve the beautiful city we live in.

My experience with the YDOC is something that will never leave me, and I encourage anyone out there to get involved in any capacity you can. We can make a difference.

Justin Cloutier,
Youth Relations Council.