Long time no see. I’m getting quite sloppy with keeping up with blogging so feel free to give me an update, you guys. Writing about volunteering will sure get me back into shape and back into that enthusiasm.
Youth Are Awesome is, of course, a program of Youth Central, but there are a ton more, as you may know. I’ll be focusing on the Youth Volunteer Corps program (YVC) as a member of the YVC steering committee. I wouldn’t be surprised if many of you readers just glazed over that bit of information since I’m sure you, along with many of the other bloggers I work with, are already YVC volunteers yourselves.
Rebecca Yang, my fellow committee member and blogger, will be joining me in our new series with her creations. Of course, what is up with YVC? We’ll be discussing some of our takes on emerging topics among us volunteers with a look at some operational aspects. Feel free to join in for a challenge; we introduce our opinions and some background info, you use your ability to comment and add in your two cents.
Most of the other volunteers I’ve met along my volunteering journey are in high school. Quite a lot of them are in the IB program. When we have some time to spare at volunteer projects, of course we’d be chatting about our classes and such things as high schoolers. If I meet a volunteer still in junior high, they would most likely be in Grade 9 as well. In either case, they would be able to do projects that only allow for volunteers who are 14 and older, giving them access to the expanded selection on the database. There’s the occasional 15+ and 16+ opportunities, but those restrictions are set only for specific projects.
So what about those that are just in junior high though? At the time of writing, 15% of the registered youth volunteers were born in 1999, 2000, and 2001, which can be roughly translated to those who are 14 and younger. That number goes down to 5% if we narrow it down to just those who were born in 2000 and 2001.
These young, young volunteers are in quite the unique position when you look at the differences they carry compared to the older youth. For one, they don’t share the high school experiences that older volunteers often mention. Due to the more limited array of projects available 12- and 13-year-olds, they have less access to opportunities like working in the kitchen. When they participate in projects, they are more likely to perhaps feel intimidated because it is more likely their first or second time volunteering. I joined when I was 14, so I’ve felt intimidated more than once when all the other youth around me were in Grade 12.
At the same time, the YVC program is open to all youth 12-18, after all. I’ve begun to notice a trend of the age spread becoming wider as I come across more and more younger volunteers who become “regulars.” For all of us, volunteering can open a new road to youth leadership, particularly those younger ones who will be exposed earlier, hence why this demographic is so valuable; from this end, what could we do to encourage younger volunteers to participate?
The collective preferences of this age group as to the types of projects they prefer influences their participation. Some projects, like those working in the kitchen, carry liabilities regarding safety that lead to them to be restricted to 14+ only. Similarly, partner agencies that YVC works with have their own age restriction policies as well that form such limitations. Senior highs generally respond better to in-school presentations as well, which puts forward the question of demand; what is volunteerism in their eyes?
We can never underestimate how many potential youth are out there. I wasn’t exposed to the idea of volunteering until Youth Central came to do a presentation at my school; quite a lot of those I’ve worked with didn’t volunteer until high school’s emphasis on extracurriculars came along. What unique aspects play into getting volunteerism out there to this age group though?
Drop me a comment below with your take; I appreciate the variety of insights you may be able to offer me (and Rebecca). If there’s a potential topic among the youth volunteer community you would like us to tackle, feel free to mention it as well. 🙂
Lacey here from YVC Headquarters here in the U.S. Great thoughts, Wentao!
We’ve always thought that one of YVC’s strengths was that it’s open to both junior high and high school youth. It’s really important for high school students like you to model your great attitude for volunteerism to the younger students.
I remember when I was in junior high that high school students seemed so cool. How awesome is it that those junior high students get to serve alongside you on projects and see that volunteering is cool!
Thanks for the great blog and for all your service!
The fact that YVC is open to junior high (or I guess middle school as is called down in the states) is why I appreciate how this volunteering can positively influence the younger ones. All this service can shape their attitude on community work as we youth define and refine our strengths. I remember being a junior high student myself and not knowing how I could expand my horizons.
Thanks to you guys down at the headquarters for providing this foundation to us because I wouldn’t have known how my small actions as a volunteer has impacts bigger than we’d think. 🙂 I appreciate you dropping by.