Partnering on a Youth-Informed Engagement Playbook
Youth inject such creativity into an organization and role. No matter where they are, not only can they bring creativity, but you can use that creativity. If you haven't thought about it, think about how you can engage youth and how you can create positions for youth in your organization.
– Amanda Wu, Co-Executive Director
Pledges for Change is a group of incredible students, who are passionate about transforming the way young people engage in social impact activities. In collaboration with governments, companies, and social sector organizations, Pledges for Change designs, develops, and discusses unique and meaningful ways for youth to give back in support of the causes they care most about.
With the COVID-19 pandemic looming over the world, the question of how youth can be engaged in volunteerism became top of mind. This past year, in collaboration with Volunteer Toronto, Pledges for Change developed the Youth Virtual Volunteer Engagement Playbook to assist non-profits engaging youth through a virtual lens.
The pandemic has not slowed down the desire of youth looking to help others. In response, Pledges for Change developed another meaningful way to engage youth in the Greater Toronto Area. The annual Ignite Fair pairs non-profit groups with students looking for ways to give back to their community. By shifting online in 2020, it attracted virtual attendees from all over the Greater Toronto Area in search of volunteer opportunities. The event was so successful, Volunteer Toronto and Pledges for Change will be co-hosting a virtual fair in 2021.
Pledges for Change continues to encourage non-profit organizations to make space for youth in volunteer programs. Students truly care about impact when looking for a volunteer position. Pledges for Change, along with the Ignite Fair, will be there to bridge the gap between non-profit groups seeking out youth and the young people’s appetite for giving back.
