Inspiring Youth Leaders with Rotary

The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown and Youth Central share a strong commitment to promoting youth leadership, service, and making an impact in our communities. With this shared vision, we are thrilled to welcome the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown’s support of our Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC). Like Rotary, YVC helps youth who want to be of service connect with meaningful opportunities to improve lives and create a better world. 

Through YVC, youth volunteers support more than 120 community agencies across Calgary. In the past 12 months, the youth involved in our YVC program gave over 27,000 hours through 874 community projects. Through these volunteer experiences, youth build confidence, empathy and social connections, while building valuable skills such as teamwork, communication and time management. Along the way, they learned first hand about their community and developed a sense of belonging and purpose that protects mental health.

As one of our YVC participants Lucy said, YVC “has given me the space to use my voice for creating change… Through [my] time with Youth Central, I have met the most passionate youth through YVC and each one inspires me in my everyday life.”

That’s even more important today as the 2024 Calgary Foundation’s Quality of Life Report noted we are volunteering less than ever. With volunteerism in the city dropping 30% in the last five years, community organizations like the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown are filling a crucial gap. 

Together, we can help create the next generation of volunteers, changemakers and leaders.