1. Ontario Volunteer Centre Network
c/o Volunteer MBC, 7700 Hurontario Street, Unit 601
Brampton, ON L6Y 4M3
(905) 238-2622 x228
ctw@ovcn.ca
http://ctw.ovcn.ca/
For Immediate Release June 23, 2014
40,000 Ontario youth volunteers break ChangeTheWorld records once again
Ontario youth contributed 210,000 volunteer hours in 6 weeks
BRAMPTON, Ont. – The Ontario Volunteer Centre Network (OVCN) wrapped up the 2014
ChangeTheWorld - Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge, which was held from April 6 to May 19, and is
pleased to announce the final results. In total, 40,000 youth volunteered a total of 210,000 hours in
their local communities during the 6-week campaign— surpassing the target of 33,000 volunteers.
“After completing our 7th
year of the ChangeTheWorld - Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge, youth are
still more committed than ever to be taking part and expressing their interests and passions through
volunteering and this campaign not only provides them with the opportunity to give back, but also to
gain valuable skillsets in the process”, says Carine Strong, Steering Committee Chair of the Ontario
Volunteer Centre Network. “The year over year increased success of the campaign is a true testament
to the strength of a collaborative effort across the province. On behalf of the OVCN (Ontario Volunteer
Centre Network) a huge thank you goes out to the 23 participating Volunteer Centres for their valued
support, as well as all of the participating community organizations, schools, youth groups and
sponsors.”
ChangeTheWorld is funded by the Government of Ontario and delivered in partnership with the OVCN.
It is a province-wide campaign for youth aged 14 to 18 years old to volunteer through a wide variety of
local initiatives with one goal, to get high school students to volunteer in their community. This year,
ChangeTheWorld was extended to a 6-week campaign allowing for more time to encourage youth
engagement, to create volunteer opportunities, and to develop community collaboration.
-MORE-

2. Ontario Volunteer Centre Network
c/o Volunteer MBC, 7700 Hurontario Street, Unit 601
Brampton, ON L6Y 4M3
(905) 238-2622 x228
ctw@ovcn.ca
http://ctw.ovcn.ca/
A key component of this campaign is the opportunity to provide youth with the freedom to take charge
of their own volunteer initiatives. This year, youth participated and/or organized volunteer activities to
include environmental cleanups, food drives for their local food bank, variety shows, and by raising
awareness for various causes through numerous fundraisers and events for local community service
organizations.
“It has been a true honour to witness these youth in action, and not only see the results of all their
efforts, but to be able to provide them with the recognition they deserve,” says Lily Ostos, Program
Coordinator for the ChangeTheWorld - Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge (OVCN). “The impact is
immeasurable. It is not without the tireless support and commitment from the network of Volunteer
Centres, and their ability to engage, encourage, and motivate Ontario youth to understand the true
value of volunteering.” Next year’s 2015 ChangeTheWorld campaign will take place from April 12 to
May 24, which coincides with the launch of National Volunteer Week (April 12 to 18).
The Ontario Volunteer Centre Network (OVCN) is an unincorporated network of 24 Volunteer Centres
in Ontario, guided by a volunteer steering committee. The mandate of OVCN is to provide a provincial
network and voice to strengthen the individual and collective ability of Volunteer Centres in Ontario to
promote and develop volunteerism. For more information, please visit www.ovcn.ca or
www.ctw.ovcn.ca
Media Contact:
Lily Ostos, Program Coordinator, ChangeTheWorld - Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge
Ontario Volunteer Centre Network, ctw@ovcn.ca
(905) 238-2622 ext. 228.