Why become a Youth CivicCorps Volunteer?

This volunteer experience is designed to break traditional barriers to volunteering and support youth in gaining critical leadership skills. Volunteers will get the chance to create their placements with organizations focused on addressing pressing urban issues, while also developing valuable networks. 

In this transformative experience, Youth CivicCorps participants are provided with topical training on key social issues, practical leadership skills to apply during their placement, and well-being resources and coaching to build confidence, sense of purpose, and resilience.  

Participants are organized into project teams of 4-5 volunteers and matched to a pre-selected host organization. Teams are provided a project outline to personalize and craft, then execute with guidance and resources from their host organization. Measuring social impact, leadership development and personal well-being is embedded throughout the experience, and wraps up with celebration, sharing, and a recognition of service. 

40 volunteers will be selected to participate per Youth CivicCorps cohort, each of whom will be provided with: 

• Online and in-person leadership and wellbeing training
• Seminars on civic issues impacting the GTHA
• Access to life-coaching (available on a first-come, first served basis per cohort)
• Ability to co-design your placement with a placement host organization during Youth CivicCorps’ Co-Creation Symposium
• Ability to develop and hone skills during your 84-hour placement over 12-weeks
• Ability to grow and diversify your professional network through program
• Financial support, such as travel and meal coverage, childcare reimbursements and more  

Who should apply

• Able to commit to the hours required during your time as a volunteer in the Youth CivicCorps program (includes both pre-placement training and placement hours – 120 hours total)
• Be between the ages of 18-30 (at the time the placement begins)
• Living in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area 
• Looking for meaningful leadership training opportunities
• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or refugee

Timelines

CivicAction is now recruiting for the first Youth CivicCorps cohort! 

• Applications close July 18 (8:00am)
• The first cohort will be announced in July 2025
• Welcome and orientation session in August 2025
• Pre-placement training will run from August – September 2025
• Co-creation symposium in October 2025
• Placements will take place October 2025 – January 2026. 

For any questions, please contact volunteer@civicaction.ca