Youth DO Crew welcomes new co-ordinator will help rural southwest
Shannon Rawluk, who recently graduated from the University of Lethbridge, is the new Youth DO Crew coordinator. Shannon started the position last month. Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the Do Crew has had to make a few changes.
One of the Youth DO Crew's mantras is, “Do good, feel good!” This project, in conjunction with Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and the Boys and Girls Club (BGC), is a leadership opportunity for youth.
Youth, through this program, are given the opportunity to explore the social needs within their community and find solutions to address those needs. In addition, youth will learn through a hands-on experience how to make a difference in their communities.
DO Crew provides youth with opportunities to engage in service projects that will address community needs. By volunteering, young people will, “do good and feel good.”
Do Crew is offered to youth in Grades 9-12 in Raymond, Taber, Coaldale, and Coalhurst. The Youth DO Crew program:
• Provides youth with opportunities to lead volunteer projects in their community from start to finish.
• Encourages young people to develop life and work skills, self-confidence, friendships, and empowerment.
• Youth who take part in the Youth DO Crew will be provided with letters of recommendation from FCSS and the BGC to add to applications for postsecondary, scholarships, or jobs.
“It's going to be a challenge to get the crews up and running again, after they've been on a hiatus the last couple of months. But, one thing that is positive is there are so many unique ways to be involved. So many of the youth have already identified rural communities have been hit hard and there are groups in their communities definitely in need right now. They've really recognized there are ways to help out and give back - whether it's to seniors or food banks,” Shannon said. “The youth have been really in-tune with what's going on and they're eager to be active again and make some positive change.”
Shannon noted Do Crews have been meeting virtually through online social video platforms for now, which has been working out well.
“Most of the youth are pretty comfortable with it and what they use for school too.”
Youth are going to have to get creative, she pointed out. “We're going to look into virtual volunteering opportunities and some things they can maybe do outside, while social distancing. I think it's very fortunate it's summer right now, so we have that option.”
There are definitely unique ways youth are trying to get involved, Shannon added. “I think the programming will look a lot different.”
FCSS Executive Director Zakk Morrison said FCSS is really excited to have Shannon join the team.
“She has tremendous energy and excitement for the project. As a youth, she understood the value of volunteering and giving back to her community, and
Shannon now has the opportunity to mentor others to do the same. It’s a very exciting time,” he noted.
FCSS, Morrison continued, has also received an additional year of funding from the Canada Service Corps to support the Youth DO Crew initiative.
“Over the past year, the Youth DO Crew has established a great reputation as a youth group committed to improving and supporting communities,” Morrison said. “It’s always remarkable and encouraging to observe youth giving back to their community, and the youth involved in the DO Crew project are leaders within communities.
A number of the groups and youth have been recognized both formally and informally for their community involvement.”
Youth in the program, Morrison said, are dedicated to making a difference. “The project involves a number of key stakeholders working together to support the youth participants within the communities. The municipalities and schools have been especially supportive of the project.”
“So many things are cancelled this summer and so many plans just aren't happening, so I think this is a really good way for youth to get out of the house, to stay busy, to meet people, and to stay engaged,” Shannon said.
Youth can reach out to join a DO Crew in their area by calling 403-332-0629 or e-mail shannon.rawluk@ fcss.ca. For more information visit online at fcss.ca. Youth interested in seeing what the DO crew is doing in their communities can check out Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Youth Do Crew is funded by the Government of Canada's Canada Service Corps Initiative.