Katimavik is a life-changing youth experience that has been bringing young Canadians together since 1977 to learn, exchange culture and language, and help build stronger communities across the country.
Katimavik goes beyond volunteerism; it supports the desire of young people to make a change and transforms it into myriad good deeds for many communities across Canada through action and meaningful involvement. This is achieved by placing volunteers full-time with various agencies and non-profits in communities across the country.
Katimavik’s flagship National Experience project empowers young adults to become engaged and caring citizens, advocates for inclusiveness and diversity, contributors to an eco-friendly and sustainable world, supporters of Truth and Reconciliation across Canada, and confident change-makers working towards a brighter future for all.
This fully immersive program brings together 11 diverse young adults who share and manage a Katimavik house while volunteering four days a week at a local charity or not-for-profit. The group will be accompanied by a Project Leader, who resides in the house to mentor the life-changing experience. Four Katimavik groups would rotate through Wetaskiwin each year in two cohorts, with each cohort phase lasting five-and-a-half months.
“I’m excited for the possibility of establishing a Katimavik Program in Wetaskiwin,” said City of Wetaskiwin Mayor Tyler Gandam. “It highlights many of the values our community shares in terms of being involved and giving back to the City.”
“The Katimavik Program – which I am a past participant of – completely transformed my outlook on life and taught me how I can effect positive change within my community,” says Ren Goode, Manager of Communications for the City of Wetaskiwin. “This experience empowers young adults to get involved, learn about the wonderful diversity of our country, and take ownership of their vision of the future. I am absolutely thrilled that our community will soon be home to this amazing program.”
Local charities and non-profit organizations interested in having a Katimavik participant volunteer with their agency are asked to contact Ren Goode at ren.goode@wetaskiwin.ca or
“We are excited to talk further with the City of Wetaskiwin and organizations in the community about the potential of establishing a Katimavik project. The partnerships we establish help to further the activities of the agencies we partner with while supporting the development and growth of Canadian youth,” said Robert McPhee, Assistant National Experience Program Manager for Katimavik.
“Countless organizations have benefited by having Katimavik volunteers assist with day-to-day operations, start new projects, and enable existing staff to take on other responsibilities. My colleagues and I are looking forward to speaking with organizations in Wetaskiwin more about this potential.”
Those interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to visit www.katimavik.org.