Why Should You Get Involved As you probably know, First Nations people in Canada face many problems in their daily lives. The problems range from not having access to safe drinking water to not being able to attend school in home communities.

According to a research survey conducted by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society in 2003 entitled Caring Across the Boundaries: Promoting Access to Voluntary Sector Resources for First Nations Children and Families the following was found that Voluntary Sector Organizations and First Nations Agencies shared the same concerns about working together. These are:

• Lack of time
• Lack of networking opportunities
• Hesitancy to initiate contact
• Lack of funds
• Lack of knowledge, information and understanding about each other

Participants in the survey also clearly stated that if provided the tools and space to meet each other they would like to work together for the benefit of Aboriginal children, youth and families. Furthermore, since experience shows that the Voluntary Sector can and does make an enormous contribution to the well-being of many communities throughout Canada, the focus of the Youth Curriculum is helping First Nations youth and Youth Serving Voluntary Sector organizations learn more about and build relationships with each other.

Examples of What the Voluntary Sector Does In Canada:

• Voluntary activity is sometimes described as the glue that holds all spheres of society together. It also articulates unmet needs in the community and the organization of services to meet them.
• Volunteering gives volunteers a great feeling of satisfaction. Any group of people can start a voluntary organization, so voluntary action is considered to be a very democratic process open to all Canadians.
• Volunteering fosters community integration and cohesion by encouraging friends, colleagues, and neighbours to work together through sharing a common concern.

Here are some of the ways youth benefit from Non-Profit organizations in Canada.

• Youth can actively take part in developing just, harmonious and sustainable societies
• Youth can organize youth-led volunteering events
• Access to housing, life skills and parenting courses, job skills training, and help with drug and alcohol addictions

Did you know?

• The majority of Non-Profit Organizations have in their mission to support children, families and communities
• That the majority of Non-Profit Organizations do not have any in depth knowledge of youth experiences on reserve