Youth Volunteer Markham. Are we just another website you’ve stumbled on while searching for those needed volunteer hours? Maybe that was your first impression but soon you’ll realize we are much more than contact numbers and a part-time job.

We offer you the chance to take control of your own life. Look at the bigger picture. You are on this website hopefully because you care about your future and understand that what you do now will pay off later on.

Maybe you simply want to complete the required hours for a high school diploma. But what does it truly mean to be a volunteer? Why do the words “voluntary” and “volunteer” sound similar? That is because volunteer work should be voluntary. You should want to do it. Don’t fall into the mindset where volunteering is done only because it is a necessity.

It shouldn’t be thought of as something you just need to get over with. Take pride in what you are doing to help others because sooner or later you’ll realize you’re also helping yourself.

“Why do you volunteer?”

“Don’t you have enough hours already?”

I’ve been asked these questions many times. My answer hasn’t changed. I’m not looking for hours. I’m looking for experience. I’m looking to put myself in an environment where I don’t feel comfortable in order to challenge myself. It’s not always easy to put yourself in situations like that but think about the favour you’re doing yourself.

Now is the time to take part in things that are happening all around you. You may not see it at first, but what your community has to offer is more than you could ever ask for. Take a chance and do something courageous and different. If volunteering is a “want”, figure out what you want from your next experience whether you’re looking to help your community, develop your own skills, or network with new people.

Remember, there are no drawbacks to getting involved. However, there is a long list of things you can take away from your experiences. It can’t be a waste of time if you are getting more than you are giving.

Next time you look for a volunteer opportunity, don’t just look for what’s easy. Don’t be lazy! I hope I don’t have to hear anyone say, “I don’t want to volunteer, I can’t find any” anytime soon. Everything you need is available to you. There is a door to your future and we may be the key you’re looking for. Youth Volunteer Markham is here to make things easier for you! All you need to do is ask yourself: why do I volunteer?

Someone once said, “Those who can, do.  Those who can do more, volunteer.” This powerful quote emphasizes the idea that we should push our own limits and try our best to do more than simply what is required of us. In Ontario, it is mandatory for high school students complete 40 volunteer hours in order to receive their diplomas. Most of my friends dread volunteering and believe it is a waste of time; but I completely disagree with that mentality. Through volunteering, you gain experience and you expand your network at the same time. It isn’t too difficult to devote four or six hours a week to volunteering, especially when you’re doing something you enjoy. Let’s say you like to play basketball, you can volunteer your time at a basketball drop-in program or a camp. It’s a win-win situation, you’re having fun and giving back time to your community. Today, volunteering is all about doing what you love and making a difference at the same time. No more watching the clock go by as you file papers at a local organizations office. There are many opportunities that are more exciting.

So where did I get the inspiration to start Youth Volunteer Markham? It all began on April 3rd, 2010. I was at Impact‘s Q2 Launch Social surrounded by some of most the talented high school and university students from Canada. I met some very successful individuals who had started many organizations and different startups. Speaking to these successful and talented individuals motivated me to start something locally. I’ve already enjoyed web design and getting involved, so I merged those two into YVM.

I monitor the MYTF (Mayor’s Youth Task Force) website and I have access to the site analytics. I notice that 50% of the visitors that visit the website go directly to the volunteer page. The past MYTF volunteer page was a page with a list of organization phone numbers and websites, there were no up to date volunteer postings, so the main service YVM offers is up to date youth volunteer postings.

I’ve met some great individuals through volunteering and I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in right now if I didn’t start volunteering with organizations such as the MYTF. I met my future business partner Joey Loi through volunteering. I’ve discovered skills I never knew I had, landed big jobs and met people with similar interests as me, all through volunteering.

You meet people with the same interests and talents as you through volunteering. It is good to surround yourself with smart and talented individuals, this way you’re motivated and driven to productive things with your life. It isn’t too hard to get involved within your community, you can do small things like volunteering at events or you can even start your own organization or school club.

Personally, I’m a member of  7 organizations and clubs. I’m Founder and Chair of Youth Volunteer Markham, President and Chair of the Youth Environmental Network of York Region, Chair of the Turn the Page Conference, Member of the MYTF, Member of the Impact National Conference Operations and Marketing Team and  Executive member of the Markville Secondary School Eco Club, and a grade 9 mentor. It’s good to challenge yourself, that way you’ll discover your potential.

If you ever want to contact me about anything, email me dami.dina@youthvolunteermarkham.com and Follow me on Twitter @DamiDina

Homework, tests, projects, and essays.  Sound familiar?  You’re lucky it does.  According to statistics from the World Bank, 880 million adults today are illiterate, and 130 million children do not attend school.  Lack of education in impoverished communities is one of the most concerning issues in the world today.  Without a foundation of educated youth, it is unreasonable to expect a community to lift itself out of poverty in a way that is both effective and sustainable.  Right here in Markham, we have access to one of the greatest education programs in the world.  Through an education, we are given the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge we need to achieve any goal we have.  Do you want to be a doctor?  A politician?  An athlete?  Your education will help you get there.  Now what about that young boy living in the slums of Port au Prince, Haiti who currently does not have access to an education?  Without the opportunity to reach his full potential through education, his community is losing out on all the positive change he could have contributed.  Perhaps he could have been an engineer, a lawyer, or an entrepreneur.  I guess we will never know.  These types of situations are happening all over the world to hundreds of millions of youth.  There are potential world leaders being untapped because they do not have access to an education.  Imagine all the wasted potential that exists today.  This is a problem, and I’m working hard to solve it.

My inspiration for starting Turn the Page came from a variety of places.  One night in December 2009, I was flipping through the channels and I came by a program on CNN called “CNN Heroes”.  After seeing and hearing stories about ordinary people who’ve done great things, I thought to myself “Hey, if they can do it, why can’t I?”  That evening, I realized that I could be making a greater difference in the world.  I believe I have a duty as a member of this world to help as many people as I can.  A few weeks after this epiphany, I found myself glued to the TV watching Anderson Cooper’s nightly reports from the earthquake-stricken Port au Prince.  I was so angry to see some of the poorest people in the world have to overcome such a disaster.  Having nothing to begin with, the most vulnerable are now struggling to survive.  Now that the media has pulled away from Haiti and the spotlight is no longer there, are they still receiving the support from the rest of the world that they need?  What will Port au Prince look like in 30 years?  Or 100 years?  I realized that what will shape the future of this city is how well the youth are educated.  If today’s young generation is brought up with no education, how will the community be able to sustain itself in 40 years?  Education is the long term answer for a sustainable community.  Watching the earthquake was horrible, and another reason for me to do something about it.  Lastly, my single greatest inspiration comes from my parents.  Born and raised in Vietnam, they both received equivalent to a Canadian grade 8 education.  Everyday I see them work so hard to provide for my family, and it is because of their lack of education that their opportunities for employment are so limited.  I know they weren’t given the opportunities as youth to reach their full potential, and everyday I wonder how different their lives would be if they had the opportunity to even attend high school.  It bothers me that they perhaps will never realize their true potential.  I think it’s a waste.  I’ve decided it is my responsibility to give impoverished youth a shot, and I am doing it by providing them with an education.

It was a no-brainer for me to start a youth operated non-profit organization.  It gives me the opportunity to be an entrepreneur and to be able to start something new and build it from the ground up.  It gives me the opportunity to prove to others that youth are powerful and if someone is passionate enough about something the sky is the limit for them.  It gives me the opportunity to reach my own goal of making a difference in the world.  It hasn’t always been easy and there are challenges we are waiting to face; but that’s just part of the ride.  I’ve got a great team that I work with to bring ideas to life, and I am so excited to see where the next 12 months takes us.  I’ve only started chapter 1, and hopefully the pages never stop turning.