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Youth Now Awards

Uniting Volunteers, Rewarding Leadership

When youth make a meaningful contribution, our community needs to support them. Recognition of their efforts and ideas is an irreplaceable motivator for young volunteers.

One program uniquely celebrating young people's contribution is the United Way's Youth Now Leadership Awards run by their Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

"The recipients have had positive experiences in terms of immediate recognition from peers and the community. "Media coverage of the event contributes to a sense of pride and accomplishment for each recipient," said Shaleen Jones, Community Programs Coordinator for the United Way.

In the past, a negative perception of youth as trouble-makers weighed heavily on our community. Seven years ago, the awards were started to highlight the achievements of young Victorians, to promote volunteerism, philanthropy and leadership.

Covering all of BC's Capital Region, the YAC celebrates leadership by recognizing peers ages 11 to 24 in five categories. Recipients range from community-based groups to students drawn from Elementary to University levels.

"These youth contribute above and beyond what many adults do. They're in school, have jobs and volunteer on top of that." Jones also said that like any community-based, non-profit program, partnerships are a key part of the process.

Ashley Ram, a recent winner, said, "Thank you so much for a wonderful evening at the 2005 Youth Now Awards Event. I had a lovely time learning about what all the other nominees had contributed. It was terrific."

"Our biggest supporters are agencies that work with youth. Coast Capital Savings has provided the money for the actual awards. For the event itself, we partner with local businesses to cover the cost of the location and food."

Positive reinforcement for donating time and energy makes the Youth Now Awards uniquely valuable in Victoria. Like no other local event, the awards acknowledge accomplishments and inspire other youth in our community.

Every year it becomes a bigger event with more nominations. The awards have been highly successful and Jones said that the YAC will be working hard to ensure the continued high quality of the program.

More information
United Way of Greater Victoria: www.unitedwayvictoria.bc.ca
Community Programs Coordinator: youth@unitedwayvictoria.bc.ca

Story by Christine Hart

Oct 1, 2005