The City of Wetaskiwin Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is spotlighting positive work in the city with the Youth Volunteer of the Month program.
The program aims to recognize and celebrate the fantastic work of local youth volunteers while encouraging others to lend a hand in their community.
“Our hope is that we’ll be able to highlight these young people that are doing great work and just, hopefully, inspire and empower others to kind of follow suit when they see these kids and what they’re able to accomplish and what they’re already doing in the community,” said FCSS managing director Carley Dolan.
Each month’s recipient receives a prize pack, their picture on the FCSS wall and is recognized in community newspapers.
While those nominated must be 12 to 21 years old, there are no other set requirements. Anyone can nominate a young person they think deserves to be recognized for their work.
“We’re just really looking for youth that have taken it upon themselves to give back in some manner,” said Dolan.
Previous recipients have come from various volunteer backgrounds, including coaches, a Boys and Girls Club volunteer, a student council member and a youth who shovels snow or mows the lawn for senior citizens in his area.
The FCSS announced its first Youth Volunteer of the Month in Sept. 2022 but took a short hiatus after announcing April’s recipient due to a change in staffing. With the program up and running again, Dolan says their team will reveal July’s recipient in the coming days.
Information on the program and how to nominate someone is available on the City of Wetaskiwin FCSS website.