{"id":23108,"date":"2021-01-05T22:55:26","date_gmt":"2021-01-05T22:55:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/youthcentral.com\/annualreport\/?page_id=23108"},"modified":"2025-09-18T23:15:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T23:15:31","slug":"2020-year-in-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/youthcentral.com\/annualreport\/2020-year-in-review\/","title":{"rendered":"2020: YEAR IN REVIEW"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In 2020 Youth Central…<\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” z_index=”” css=”.vc_custom_1610658577767{padding-right: 50px !important;padding-left: 50px !important;background-color: #d8212a !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/3″]

1001<\/span>

Youth Engaged<\/p><\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”50″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″]

16640<\/span>

Volunteer Hours<\/p><\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”50″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″]

381<\/span>

Volunteer Projects<\/p><\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”50″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”parallax” parallax_content_width=”in_grid” text_align=”left” full_screen_section_height=”no”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

ABOUT US<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Youth Central engages 1,100 youth, ages 12-18, annually through volunteer based programming. We provide a welcoming and safe environment that is driven by youth. We value meaningful and equal engagement between youth and staff, where individual strengths, ideas and opinions are respected and encouraged. We emphasize innovative programming approaches that prioritize teamwork, creativity, community connection and critical reflection. We believe youth should volunteer and be involved in social change efforts in all levels of community.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

OUR MISSION<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Empowering youth to find and build their communities.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

OUR VISION<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]All youth participate in shaping a vibrant community. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

OUR VALUES<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]We believe that youth are awesome!<\/span><\/p>\n

We honour the power of the youth voice and the importance of youth in our society. <\/span><\/p>\n

We value a community in which all youth are respected and encouraged to be active citizens. <\/span><\/p>\n

We value the diversity, skills, creativity, and talents of our volunteers, participants, and staff. <\/span><\/p>\n

We value community partnerships that align with our vision and mission. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text]We prioritize the wellbeing of our youth volunteers in everything that we do. And most of what we do is centered around community service. We encourage and support youth as they develop their passion for community building while strengthening themselves personally.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1610574862423{background-color: #f99e1c !important;}” z_index=”” background_color=”#4371a9″ border_color=”#4371a9″][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1610641760669{padding-top: 100px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

New Mission & Strategic Plan<\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1610639004140{padding-right: 50px !important;padding-left: 50px !important;background-color: #f99e1c !important;}” background_color=”#f99e1c” border_color=”#f99e1c”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]In 2019, Youth Central began the process of developing its next Strategic Plan. What started out as a traditional strategic planning process quickly turned into much more. There was a desire from the Board and staff to take the organization on a bolder path.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_type=”expandable” text_align=”left” button_position=”center” background_color=”#f99e1c” border_color=”#ffffff” more_button_label=”Read More” less_button_label=”Less” color=”#000000″ expandable_content_top_padding=”25″ css=”.vc_custom_1610641977170{padding-right: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;padding-left: 50px !important;background-color: #f99e1c !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]With the guidance of a consultant, Youth Central connected with our stakeholders, including youth, to gain insights and feedback. We conducted surveys, focus groups, and interviews. Through the wealth of information collected we developed our next 5-year strategic plan. While we will maintain our current core programming, we will also strengthen our organization by taking active steps to ensure we are accessible to all youth in Calgary. We seek to identify and reduce the barriers that may discourage disadvantaged youth from participating in our programming. We know that youth who are at a crossroads often have the most to gain from community support and encouragement. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]We\u2019ve seen the impact that our work has on our current youth participants and we look forward to making our programming even more inclusive of all youth in Calgary.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In 2020 we also were thrilled to develop a new mission to guide the organization – “Empowering youth to find and build their communities.”  Youth Central is more than a youth volunteering and leadership organization, we play an important role in supporting youth to connect to their community and build new positive relationships. We, the youth volunteers, staff, and board members feel confident that this new mission statement better reflects the work that we do in Calgary. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][vc_single_image image=”23135″ img_size=”large” qode_css_animation=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1610644165180{background-color: #ffffff !important;}” z_index=”” background_color=”#ffffff”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″]

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\u201cI really enjoyed the open environment. In a world filled with competition and cutthroat attitudes I knew that anytime I walked into the Youth Central Office that my health, safety and well being was considered by everyone I met. Working with Mayor Nenshi was such an honor. Specifically being able to speak up on youth issues to someone in power was very enjoyable. Being able to promote and advocate for the agenda for the youth of our city made me feel proud to be a young Calgarian.\u201d
\n- Youth Volunteer<\/h5><\/blockquote>[vc_empty_space height=”25px”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1610654183482{background-color: #4371a9 !important;}” z_index=”” background_color=”#4371a9″ border_color=”#4371a9″][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1609957064778{padding-top: 100px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

The Calgary Cinderella Project<\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1610654207453{padding-right: 50px !important;padding-left: 50px !important;background-color: #4371a9 !important;}” background_color=”#4371a9″ border_color=”#4371a9″][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]After many years under the Calgary Board of Education, the Calgary Cinderella Project is now a part of Youth Central\u2019s programs. We are working closely with the Cinderella Committee to continue this meaningful project and offer Youth Central\u2019s program planning and volunteer expertise.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_type=”expandable” text_align=”left” button_position=”center” background_color=”#4371a9″ border_color=”#ffffff” more_button_label=”Read More” less_button_label=”Less” color=”#000000″ expandable_content_top_padding=”25″ css=”.vc_custom_1610645453564{padding-right: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;padding-left: 50px !important;background-color: #4371a9 !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Youth Central was enthused to be a part of our first Calgary Cinderella Project in 2020, unfortunately, the 2020 Calgary Cinderella Project was cancelled given the growing COVID-19 risk in Alberta at the time. The health and safety of everyone involved was paramount.<\/span><\/p>\n

We look forward to hosting future Calgary Cinderella projects, including a 2021 event (fingers crossed).<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Additionally in 2021 the Calgary Cinderella Project received a Calgary Board of Education Lighthouse Award for making students, who are facing adversity, feel special and respected on their graduation days.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]For almost 15 years, the Calgary Cinderella Project has dressed students in beautiful gowns and accessories that make their graduation day the special event it deserves to be. The generosity and commitment of volunteers have turned more than 3,000 students\u2019 academic milestones into a memory they will always carry.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What the Calgary Cinderella Project does is so much more than providing graduation finery. Led by a dedicated core group of volunteers, they apply their professional expertise to create a safe and beautiful mental and physical space. This core group has poured time, thought and themselves into the project.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][vc_single_image image=”23121″ img_size=”large” qode_css_animation=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1610645269044{background-color: #ffffff !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1\/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1610645304775{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1610645314246{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”]

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The most valuable part of my experience with YODA was using my skills in communication and design to create promotion materials and social media posts for the online ceremony. I learned to adapt to sudden changes caused by social distancing, communicate and fulfill others' needs, and effectively promote the YODA event using a variety of media.\u201d
\n- Youth Volunteer<\/h5><\/blockquote>[vc_empty_space height=”25px”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1610645321449{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1610653959397{background-color: #f99e1c !important;}” z_index=”” background_color=”#f99e1c”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][vc_single_image image=”23164″ img_size=”large” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1610640730770{padding-top: 100px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Youth Volunteer Corps Virtual Summit<\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1610658757940{padding-right: 50px !important;padding-left: 50px !important;background-color: #f99e1c !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Youth Volunteer Corps Headquarters held their annual YVC Summit conference virtually on October 16, 2020, with the Virtual Awards ceremony taking place on October 17th, 2020 via YouTube.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_type=”expandable” text_align=”left” button_position=”center” background_color=”#f99e1c” border_color=”#ffffff” more_button_label=”Read More” less_button_label=”Less” color=”#000000″ expandable_content_top_padding=”25″ css=”.vc_custom_1610654002383{padding-right: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;padding-left: 50px !important;background-color: #f99e1c !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Our YVC Program Coordinator, Peony Wong, attended the virtual Summit conference to network with other YVC affiliated organizations and learn how we can improve our current programming. Youth Central was proud to receive the following awards:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n