In 2009, ChangeTheWorld was a youth volunteer challenge, asking 10,000 youth to volunteer during National Volunteer Week April 18th–25th. The Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration funded 19 Volunteer Centres to bring this challenge to every corner of the province. Our goal for North Simcoe, Barrie and Orillia was 450 participants. We blew that number away with 898 youth volunteers participating in several events throughout the county.

Those volunteers proved that everyone can make a difference in their community. Many Elmvale students answered the challenge by volunteering at the Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival. Some Midland youth helped make 20 pair of pillow cases destined for Shelter Now Transitional Housing, while another group of seamsters made over 40 pair of sleep pants for the Barrie Women and Children’s Crisis Centre. These participants know they’ve brought comfort to many through their actions.

A few budding artists in Tiny Township created art for the walls of Shelter Now, thrilled that their contribution will have lasting value and bring joy to some folks who are working hard to improve their lives.

Many hundreds of youth helped to clean up their schools and communities, including the Ganaraska Trail, the North Simcoe Rail Trail, Barrie’s Centennial Park, the Penetanguishene docklands, several Midland parks and trails, and the Christian Island waterfront. Some Barrie students ventured all the way to Toronto to climb the CN tower, and dozens more volunteered their time to their libraries, school plays, tutoring peers, and helping neighbours.

Recent studies of volunteerism have revealed that, contrary to popular belief, 65% of Canadian youth do some kind of volunteer activity every year. ChangeTheWorld Youth Volunteer Challenge has endeavoured to increase that statistic, and dozens of area businesses can take pride in their various contributions to the spectacular success of ChangeTheWorld 2009 in North Simcoe, Barrie and Orillia.