They may be young, and their group may yet be small, but these young people’s commitment to giving back to their community is having big impact.
This month, 100 Youth Who Care - Central York Region is celebrating its second anniversary, with thousands of dollars raised and donated to local non-profit organizations that support youth.
Since its inception, the group has made donations totalling $3,410 to Welcoming Arms, Blue Door Shelters, CCAA, Newmarket Food Pantry, Abuse Hurts, Autism Ontario and 360Kids.
At the upcoming anniversary meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 21 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the RBC branch at 17770 Yonge St. (at Dawson Manor Blvd.), a cheque will be presented to the next recipient, Starlight Children’s Foundation.
The giving back formula is simple: the group meets for one hour four times a year, and at each meeting, each member contributes $10, totalling $40 each for the year, adding up to $4,000 in donations to four local charities annually.
“100 per cent of the funds raised are donated to the charitable organizations, which are chosen by the 100 Youth members at each meeting,” parent mentor Jenny Cooper said.
The group is inviting new members aged 10 to 17 who want to make a difference in their community to join.
“Our group inspires youth to contribute to their community, engages youth in local initiatives to help others, and empowers youth to create positive change locally,” she said.
“Our vision as we move into the third year of our now well-established group is to grow our membership, as the more youth (who join), the more we can give and help other youth in our communities,” member Marisa MacDonald, a Grade 7 student, said when the group recently presented at the 100 Women Who Care - Central York Region meeting.
The young people donate their time, energy and skills to work collaboratively with other youth to create positive change locally, Cooper said.
The volunteer group also provides youth with an opportunity to enhance their leadership and communication skills, and connect with like-minded families and youth in the community.
Member Sydney Cooper, a Grade 8 student, said the group is also inviting new sponsors to get involved.
“We would love to be able to donate more money to local non-profit organizations that help youth, and one way is to engage a local business as a sponsor,” she said. “There are many ways for a business to get involved, they can supply food for our meetings, donate a gift for a raffle draw each meeting or match our youth donation.”
Current sponsors include RBC, which provides a quarterly meeting space, realtor Kristina Clement, and TriCan Contract.
To join, you can submit an online registration, or download the form at 100youthwhocarecentralyorkregion.com
Or, you can attend the Nov. 21, 7 to 8 p.m. meeting at RBC, 17770 Yonge St.
For more information, visit here email [email protected], on Facebook visit 100 YOUTH Who Care – CYR, or call 416-888-3421.
100 Youth Who Care - CYR is a volunteer, non-profit group that belongs to an international 100 Who Care movement. It is partnered with 100 WOMEN Who Care - CYR.
