Innovating High School Volunteer Opportunities
Milton Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
Milton Public Library provided an opportunity for high schoolers to acquire their required volunteer hours by participating in virtual volunteer workshops facilitated by community partners. These workshops increased access to learning and capacity-building for teens locally, whilst ensuring their volunteer opportunities were undiminished by the pandemic.
Challenge/Opportunity
Community volunteer hours are a requirement for high school graduation in Ontario. As a result of the pandemic, teens were left with limited opportunities to volunteer their time and acquire hours towards graduation from a field of their choosing. To counter this, MPL introduced virtual volunteer opportunities where teens were able to participate in monthly workshops to learn about relevant and emergent topics like. National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation supported by local partners Grandmother’s Voice.
Key Elements of Innovation
MPL is committed to maintaining its status as the most inclusive space in Milton. Staff viewed the gap in volunteer opportunities for high schoolers as an opportunity for relevant and inclusive educational experiences for teens. In working with a wide array of partners focussed on social justice, workshop themes included community development, diversity/inclusivity and leadership skills, among others.
Achieved Outcomes
- >1500 teens participated in the program
- > 18 partnerships were formed through the program’s conception and delivery
- Teens gained knowledge of/built connection with community partners and one another while reflecting on themselves and contributions to the local community
- Teens connected with the library in meaningful ways and were able to acquire volunteer hours amidst a pandemic
- MPL saw a 500% increase in participation in teen programming in 2021, which can be attributed in part to this program
