Think of the person who has changed your life for the better. How did they help? What did they do to make a difference?
Whether it be a parent, friend or mentor, it’s imperative to have that one person – the person you can count on, no matter what.
Across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, almost 1 in 10 local kids says that they don’ think a single adult cares about them. Without adequate supports, vulnerable youth are at risk of negative behaviours, including bullying, skipping school and crime.
It takes many people working together to tackle this unignorable issue. It takes a broad network of champions supporting our youth and taking concrete action to support positive, sustainable change for young people in our communities.
This is why we’re thrilled to partner with the RBC Foundation on the launch of the United Way Future Leaders program – a new initiative to empower youth and help them gain leadership skills and practical work experience, setting them up for future success.
L-R: Loretta Lo, Amaar Kajani, Kim Go, Martin Thibodeau (RBC Regional President, British Columbia), Michael McKnight (President and CEO), Irina Gavala, Sam Musoki and Chloe Ellis.
Backed by need
The Future Leaders program is one local application of the RBC Future Launch initiative, 10-year, $500-million initiative investing in helping young people gain access and opportunity to the skills, job experience and career networks needed for the future world of work.
United Way Future Leaders focuses on three critical areas:
1. Helping youth gain new skills
2. Helping youth gain work experience through paid and volunteer positions
3. Helping youth grow their networks
Building off success
Since 2004, United Way British Columbia has invested in after-school programming, known as United Way’s Schools Out programs. These programs provide safe and supportive environments for children aged 6-12, tackling the unignorable issue of child vulnerability in our communities, and ensuring every child can reach their full potential.
The Future Leaders program will provide youth with paid or volunteer internships in United Way’s School Out programs. Youth Leaders will mentor and support younger participants, while gaining practical work experience and developing transferable skills that are key to employment.
“When you’re vulnerable, the right connection can change your life,” said Kim Winchell, Director of Social Impact with United Way British Columbia. “RBC’s commitment to the United Way Youth Leaders program means more young people can be that connection for a child who needs one. It means more vulnerable children will know someone cares about them.”
A win-win for youth of all ages
United Way’s Future Leaders program do even more than provide invaluable mentorship for vulnerable kids. It will also help young people age 15-29 gain leadership skills and practical work experience, setting them up for future success in securing long-term employment.
The launch of this program follows a recently released survey from RBC which detailed how youth are hopeful, but nervous, about their future employment prospects. United Way Future Leaders, supported by the RBC Foundation, is a commitment to help young people prepare for a drastically changing workforce and empower youth for the jobs of tomorrow.
Looking ahead
Being a youth leader improves the likelihood of pursuing a post-secondary education, becoming meaningfully employed, and leading a healthy lifestyle. In addition to work experience and skills, youth leaders gain a deep sense of appreciation and accomplishment – the building blocks of increased self-esteem and self-confidence that will help them create their own paths to success.
Though universally accessible, the United Way Youth Leaders program targets youth with barriers to employment. The United Way Future Leaders program will launch immediately at two United Way School’s Out programs – one in Surrey and the other in North Vancouver – with plans to expand into many more over the course of the next year.
Learn more about how United Way is tackling unignorable issues in our community here.
Topics : Local love
