BACKGROUNDER

Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration

Celebrating Ontarios Volunteers

March 22, 2012 The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards are the cornerstone of the provinces volunteer recognition programs, celebrating those who generously give their time to help others and improve the quality of life for all. The government supports and encourages volunteers through a number of programs. VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION Ontario Volunteer Service Awards Each year, the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards recognize thousands of volunteers, of all ages, across the province for years of continuous service to a single organization. Individuals are recognized for five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 60 or more years of service. Youth are recognized for two or more years of service. In 2012, recipients will be recognized at 48 ceremonies in 35 communities from March 22 - June 27. The Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers The Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers honours youth between the ages of 15 and 24 years for outstanding volunteer achievements. The June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism The June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism recognizes individuals, groups, businesses and other organizations for exceptional volunteer contributions in their communities and the province. The award is named after the late journalist and social activist, June Callwood, who founded and co-founded more than 50 Canadian social action organizations. YOUTH VOLUNTEERISM ChangeTheWorld Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge ChangeTheWorld - Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge is a campaign to encourage young people to volunteer. Participation in the program contributes to the 40 hours of community service required for high school graduation. This is the fifth year of the campaign, which runs April 15 - May 6, 2012. Twenty-five volunteer centres and organizations across Ontario are participating, involving hundreds of communities. The 2012 campaign goals are 25,000 high school students volunteering three hours each, for a total of 75,000 volunteer hours.

Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister's Office, 416-325-6205 Marielle Picher, Communications Branch, 416-314-7010, marielle.picher@ontario.ca

ontario.ca/citizenship-news
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