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How to get involved in your community in four easy lessons

As the summer approaches, many people will want to help the least fortunate in our society by contributing financially or giving their time to various organizations. If you are one of these people and are interested in doing volunteer work or an internship, the Youth Café resource centre offers information that can point you in the right direction.

Lesson 1: Volunteering is in! You may not have thought so, but volunteering is still very popular. Over 6.5 million Canadians volunteer each year-and they are not only retirees. Volunteering Works is a document that invites young people to join these 6.5 million volunteers and take part in a community project; its step by step approach will help you find an activity.

Lesson 2: Making the effort effortlessly. Once you have found what interests you, why not register with the Volunteer Opportunities Exchange? The Count Yourself In at the Volunteer Opportunities Exchange tip sheet explains how you can register in the volunteer directory and benefit from doing so. Visit their Web site at www.voe-reb.org.

Lesson 3: Volunteering is universal. Many organizations provide opportunities to develop skills and work outside your province. Although the pay is nonexistent, the experience is rewarding and fulfilling. Katimavik, for example, offers seven-month programs across Canada for young people between the ages of 17 and 21. The Go Katimavik! pamphlet provides detailed instructions on how to register. Participants who complete the program will receive a $1,000 award. Additional information is available at www.katimavik.org.

Lesson 4: Doing good right in your neighbourhood. The Volunteer Bureau of Montreal offers documentation like the Volunteer Guide and the Volunteer Find Your Place brochure. Although the Youth Café has only a few copies of these documents on hand for consultation purposes, you can find out more by visiting their Web site at vitrine-sur-montreal.qc.ca/ and the Volunteer Canada site at www.volunteer.ca/.

You are now a graduate of the school of social solidarity. With the readings suggested above, you will easily become an expert in this field. Allow your heart and your generosity to guide you. There are people in need all year round-not just during the summer!

This article has been provided by Youth Café - A Service Canada Centre located in downtown Montreal that offers youth the necessary tools for a full and active social participation, all in one place.

The Café's mission is to offer better access to information, services, programs and ressources from most federal departments as well as the Youth Employment Strategy.

We ecourage you to visit Youth Café next time you are in Montreal or visit a Service Canada Centre near you.